Freedom - Charles Mingus

This mule ain’t from Moscow.

This mule ain’t from the South.

But this mule’s had some learnin'

Mostly mouth-to-mouth.

This mule could be called stubborn, and lazy,

But in a clever sorta' way

This mule could be workin', waitin' and learnin' and plannin'

For a sacred kind of day-

A day when burnin' sticks and crosses

Is not mere child’s play,

But a madman in his most incandescent bloom

Whose lover’s soul is imperfection, in its most lustrous groom.

So stand, fast young Romeo

Soothe in contemplation

Thy burning whole and aching thigh

Your stubbornness is ever-living

And cruel anxiety is about to die.

Freedom for your daddy

Freedom for your momma

Freedom for your brothers and sisters

But no freedom for me.

Freedom for your daddy’s daddy

Freedom for your momma’s momma

Freedom for your brothers and sisters

But no freedom for me.

Freedom for your daddy’s daddy

Freedom for your momma’s momma

Freedom for your brothers and sisters

But no freedom for me.