Steven A. Jent

  Composer and Songwriter

 

 

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Quakertown

Mr. Hill, my old friend,

Looks like your dream is at an end.

They’ve torn your houses down

All over Quakertown.

There’s nothing left to defend.

 

I know you weren’t allowed to vote

On that petition that they wrote.

But now the lawyers say

You have to move away

“To beautify our city” quote unquote.

 

There’s only empty land

Where your homes used to stand

And your white lilacs grew.

The city wants its park

And your skin is just too dark.

There’s nothing much we can do.

 

Out beyond the tracks is where you’ll be.

No water and no electricity.

Now each college mother knows

Your sons no longer pose

A danger to her daughter’s chastity.

 

We both know it isn’t right.

But you could never win this fight.

How long can one man

Stand up to the Klan?

Sometimes I’m ashamed to be white.

 

There’s only empty land

Where your homes used to stand

And your white lilacs grew.

The city wants its park

And your skin is just too dark.

There’s nothing much we can do.

 

 



All words and music copyright © 1975–2019 Steven A. Jent