1896 (CRY FREEDOM)

The cry awoke Balintawak

And the echoed answered back:
FREEDOM!
All the four winds listened long.
To the shrieking of that song.
Every poet struck his lyre
With this burning notes of fire.
All the women knelt to pray,
In their hearts that frenzied lay.
Even the children and the old
Took to arms and shouted bold,
FREEDOM!

I heard it from the planters in the vales,

I heard from the traders tying bales,
I heard it where the fishers strike their sales,
I heard it where the huskers ‘neath the trees,
I heard it from from the divers of the seas,
I heard it from the pounders in the leas.

All the people raised the cry,

Fearing not to bleed or die
All the tombs of slave and sire
Broke to voice that great desire.

Up the mountain, down the plain.

Louder, louder rang the strain..
FREEDOM!
I heard it from the makers of the broom
I heard it from the weavers at heirlooms
I heard it from the smoking smithy rooms,
I heard it in the farthest islet shore.
We heard it, and shall hear it evermore..
FREEDOM!