I have been bowed but Never backed down From
the world's weight On my shoulders That's
why my back will never be straight Like my
ancestors who weren't allowed to lift their
heads But I keep mine up for them So they
know the suffering was not for naught So
they know the child that they begot Will
never let their warrior souls be forgot You
thought you'd won By making our heads hung
But I think you forgot or were too dumb To
understand That with pain and suffering
comes a strength greater than any other
man's And with strength and faith comes a
pride too great to hide And yes, our backs
never will be straight You succeeded at that
But they'll always stay strong From carrying
your heavy weight around so long And in your
frightened eyes you see The oppressed, not
depressed rise to be.

Rosemary Margaret Oliver