I pulled the stones for the emperor, Stacked ’em up and made that wall
I thought, a mountain lasts forever, But the rain must always fall
I worked the mines in Chile, For conquistador
Died there in the pitshaft, Joined my family with the ore
I tapped the trees for Leopold, And then he took my hands
The sap sailed to Brussels, And my blood stained the lands
I cut down the sugar cane, On the islands off the coast
Oh but the sweet taste of freedom, Is the stuff I love the most

Tell me who am I
Do you know my name
Will I lie forgotten
Or arise in glory and fame

I fought with Poncho Villa, Stood with him side by side
When the Bluecoats took the land, I thought how long is freedom’s ride
I was there at Haymarket, With the martyrs eight
For striking in Chicago, Death would have to be my fate
I cut the timber in Centralia, Nearly broke my back
Tried to organize a union, And they tied me to the tracks
I fought in Barcelona, Kept the fascists there at bay
Then when Hitler’s tanks came rolling in, I knew we couldn’t stay

Tell me who am I
Do you know my name
Will I lie forgotten
Or arise in glory and fame

I mined the ore in Arizona, Last of the Navajo
Got the radium a-glowin’, Then it was time for me to go
I marched in South Africa, Found myself in Sharpeville
Once the police came and went, I was lying oh so still
I campaigned for Allende, For a nation without fear
Didn’t look behind me, For the day I’d disappear
I spoke at Tienanmen, To revive the revolution
Didn’t think for Deng Xiaoping, Rolling tanks were his solution

Tell me who am I
Do you know my name
Will I lie forgotten
Or arise in glory and fame

I grew the mangoes in Somalia, For the people in the west
And when the price for fruit went down, I went down starving with the rest
I worked the plant in Bangkok, Breathed the dusty air
When the cotton started burning, I knew my life would not be spared
The cops beat me in Los Angeles, But I would not be scared
When they sent the Army in, I thought next time we’ll be prepared
Yes I’ve been yearning for a new day, All the world wide
Someday my time will come, And you will have to step aside

Tell me who am I
Do you know my name
Will I lie forgotten
Or arise in glory and fame