Lyrics

Fire in Ferguson

©2015 Pat Humphries & Sandy Opatow
Moving Forward Music/ BMI

My parents always told me work hard and stay in school
Trust the church and leaders of our town
But now that I am older, the violence that I see,
the trust I had is slowly breaking down

Chorus: There’s a fire in Ferguson tonight
It’s not the kind of fire you see
It burns in everyone who seeks
justice, truth and dignity

I raised my child on food stamps
Worked and went to school
Graduated proud of my degree
In the news another killing
A young black life cut short
Police have turned their guns on you and me

I never learned to protest
I kept my own house clean
Did what was expected and I prayed
I prayed for equal treatment, for opportunity
I will not give my own child’s life in trade

Bridge: There’s a fire tonight all around the world
There’s a fire tonight for Michael Brown
There’s a fire tonight our voices will be heard
We won’t let you cut our children down

Sparks amidst the embers
Slowly beaten down
Lives extinguished long before they age
Cries of desperation on ears that will not hear,
made vivid in the swirling light of rage