Deceptions

We were prison bound on ships of oak
Around our necks we wore the shackle and yoke
Hell had no fury more than what we fared
With whip and chain we bore the scars we shared

When the shadow man came to claim the few
In these stinking holds across the ocean blue
The masters strode the decks with iron will
Deception in their eyes and more blood to spill.

We were crammed into quarters where we couldn't stand
Cheek by jowl faces bruised and broken hands
In these ships of death with their sails of shrouds
Where the salt winds shrieked like damned so loud

And in the far flung fields where cotton grew
We worked all day and into the night time too
We sang for our supper and slept bare and cold
They could steal our skins but not our souls

Until that day someday that will come
When the shackles of the slave will be undone
And the deceptions spun about our sorry lot
Will be a black mark left that can never be forgot...