1896 (Cry Freedom) by Aurelio Alvero

The cry awoke Balintawak

And the echoes answered back…

“Freedom”!

All the four winds listened long

To the shrieking of that song….

“Freedom”!

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…

“Freedom”!

Every poet struck his lyre

With those burning notes of fire…

“Freedom”!

All the women knelt to pray

In their hearts that frenzied lay…

“Freedom”!

E’en the children and the old

Took to arms and shouted bold

“Freedom”!

I heard it from the huskers’ neath the trees…

I heard it from the divers of the sea…

I heard it from the pounders in the leas…

“Freedom”!

All the people raised the cry

Fearing not to bleed or die…

“Freedom”!

Up the mountain, down the plain,

Louder, louder rang the strain

“Freedom”!

All the tombs of slave and sire

Broke to voice that great desire…

“Freedom”!

I heard it from the makers of the brooms…

I heard it from the weavers at their looms…

I heard it from the smoking smithy rooms.

“Freedom”!

From the temples, from the shrines,

From the bosom of the mines…

“Freedom”!

Kris and bolo flashed in light,

Thunder-voices air did smite…

“Freedom”!

Muscles sound and spirit strong

Broke the chains with metal song.

“Freedom”!

I heard it in the bullet’s whine and roar…

I heard it in the farthest islet shore…

I heard it and shall hear it ever more…

“Freedom”!