THE CRY AWOKE BALINTAWAK BY AURELIO S.

ALVERO

"Freedom" (full) The cry awoke Balintawak, And the echoes answered back; "Freedom!" (fading away) All the four winds listened long To the shrieking of that song; Every poet struck his lyre With those burning notes of fire; Girls: All the women knelt to pray In their hearts that frenzied lay. Boys: E'en the children and the old Took to arms and shouted bold, (increasing volume) "Freedom!" Each a solo line spoken with assurance: I heard it from the planters in the vales I heard it from the traders tying bales; I heard it where the fishers strike their sails-I heard it from the huskers 'neath the trees; I heard it from the drivers of the seas, I heard it from the pounders in the leas.

All: All the people raised to cry, Fearing not to bleed or die; All the tombs of slave and sire Broke to voice and great desire; Up the mountain, down the plain (rising, then falling) Lounder, lounder rang the strain, (increasing volume) "Freedom!" (ringing) Each a solo line spoken with assurance: I heard it from the makers of the brooms; I heard it from the weavers at their looms; I heard it in the smoking smithy rooms. I heard it in the bullet's whine at roars; I heard it in the farthest islet shore. All: We heard it and shall hear it evermore! "Freedom!" (full) The cry of Balintawak, And now our voices answer back-"Freedom!" (joyously full)