Bruce Cockburn
Santiago Dawn
[Verse 1]
Something moves in the still dark hours
Sunday in a shanty town
Eyelids open two by two
But not a single light goes on
Tension builds as the only sound
Is the quiet clash of metal and boots
And now and then an order barked
At the bullies in the drab green suits
[Verse 2]
Military thugs with their dogs and clubs
Spreading through the población
Hunting whoever still has a voice
Sure that everyone will run
They come in strong but it's not that long
Before they know it's not so easy to leave
To keep a million homeless down takes more
Than a strong arm up your sleeve
[Verse 3]
At the crack of dawn the first door goes down
Snapped off a makeshift frame
In a matter of minutes the first rock flies
And barricades burst in flame
First mass rings through smoke and gas
Day flowers out of the night
Creatures of the dark in disarray
Fall before the morning light
[Chorus]
Bells of rage—bells of hope
As the ten-year night wears down
Sisters and brothers are coming home
To see the Santiago dawn
Santiago sunrise
See them marching home
See them rising like grass through cement
In the Santiago dawn
In the Santiago dawn
I got a dream and I'm not alone
Darkness dead and gone
All the people marching home
Kissing the rush of dawn
Santiago sunrise
See them marching home
See them rising like grass through cement
In the Santiago dawn
In the Santiago dawn
In the Santiago dawn