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lyrics

Five hundred years and more a slave
- some time, uh huh, some time
Each year being told you’re just not much
And Africans are found in herds
All up and down the continent

And boy you better dig it, gal
- some time, uh huh, some time

Five hundred years and more the coon
- some time, uh huh, some time
Five hundred times around the sun
Burned black for beauty and for kicks
And hunted down with bright blue eyes

And boy you better dig it, gal
- some time, uh huh, some time
And boy you better dig it, gal, some time

Before five hundred years ago
- some time, uh huh, some time
The world resolved its spinning course
From dawn to midnight, spring to spring
And all the beasts were wonderful

But now you gotta dig it, man
- some time, uh huh, some time
And boy you better dig it, gal, some time

Five hundred years to come they say
- some time, uh huh, some time
The strong must overcome the weak
And make them starve to balance books
In case slave ships run out of steam

And boy you better dig it, gal
- some time, uh huh, some time
And boy you better dig it, gal, some time

It’s time for the millennium
- some time, uh huh, some time
And Jesus Christ who works for God
Who’s full time for the Vatican
Which sponsored the Americas
Which didn’t need no Indians

All wrong on this side of the world
And wanted muscle brought across
From shores which never should have left
America, continents drift

And suddenly there’s different strains
Of animals across the seas
And some are good and some are bad
And some drink out of cyanide streams
And some are worked until they’re dead
To bring the goodies from the earth
Onto the table of the Lord

And of his lady and their brood
And Jesus Christ so sez the Prez
Will come to bless this cancered thing
And of this is good good good

And boy you keep on digging, gal
- some time, uh huh, some time

And you won’t get no extra scratch
From working harder at that patch
You’ll never be the owner, kid
Relax? What now? You never did

And boy you better dig it, gal
- some time, uh huh, some time
And boy you better dig it, gal
- some time

credits

from Freedom Calls, released July 14, 1989
Louise Elliott (tenor sax)
Josefina Cupido (voice)
Music by Tony Haynes
Lyrics by John Matshikiza

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Grand Union Orchestra London, UK

Grand Union Orchestra is a multicultural world jazz ensemble based in London. It has been performing, touring and recording large-scale shows for over 30 years and is well known for its educational work. Grand Union specialises in large-scale musical performances that reflect the backgrounds of its performers and often invites participation from amateur musicians and community groups. ... more

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