Barbados - Our Native Daughters, Rhiannon Giddens

I own I am shocked at the purchase of slaves

And fear those who buy them and sell them are knaves

What I hear of their hardships, their tortures, and groans

It’s almost enough to draw pity from stones

I pity them greatly, but I must be mum

For how could we do without sugar and rum?

Especially sugar, so needful we see?

What?

Give up our desserts, our coffee, and tea?!

Besides, if we do, the French, Dutch, and Danes

Will heartily thank us, no doubt, for our pains

If we do not buy the poor creatures, they will

And tortures and groans will be multiplied still

I own I am shocked at prisoners in the mines

And kids sewing clothes for our most famous lines

What I hear of their wages seems slavery indeed

It’s enough that I fear it’s all rooted in greed

I pity them greatly, but I must be mum

For what about nickel, cobalt, lithium?

The garments we wear, the electronics we own?

What?

Give up our tablets, our laptops, and phones?!

Besides, if we do, the prices will soar

And who could afford to pay one dollar more?

Sitting here typing it seems well worth the price

And you there, listening on your favorite device

This bargain we’re in, well, it’s not quite illicit

So relax, my friend, we’re not all complicit