Union Songs

How Long Justice?

A song by John Warner (c)1998 John Warner


Cry for the folk of East Timor,
How long, justice, how long?
Forced by soldiers outside law,
Years of anguish to endure,
Theft and torture, murder, war,
Many thousands gone.

How long till the truth's revealed,
How long, justice, how long?
Of Dili's silent, bloody field,
Of deaths by other deaths concealed,
A people's wounds that can't be healed?
Many thousands gone.

All we here endure the shame,
How long, justice, how long?
Our country too must bear the blame
That in the global finance game
Slaughter was hidden in our name.
Many thousands gone.

In Jakarta's bloody lanes
How long, justice, how long?
A tyrant nation's power wanes,
But when will cruel Soerharto's gains
Compensate his victims' pains?
Many thousands gone.

How long till we all decide
How long, justice, how long?
To expose what the liars hide,
To stand firm on the people's side,
Claim justice for the ones who died?
Many thousands gone.

How long must the fight be fought
How long, justice, how long?
Till Timor has the world's support,
Till justice knows the full report,
And torturing murderers face the court
Many thousands gone.

Notes

Many thanks to John Warner for permission to add this song to the Union Songs site.
John wrote "How Long Justice?" in November 1998



Visit John's website at http://www.folkjohnwarner.com

Find more John Warner songs on this site. Visit John on the web at: www.folkjohnwarner.com

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