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Rebuild America/ Keep Hope Alive

from War on the Workers a Tribute to Anne Feeney by Anne Feeney

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about

I wrote this song while marching with Jesse Jackson from Hartford to New Haven on a 1991 voter registration drive. As we marched we chanted "Rebuild America! Keep Hope Alive!" This song was one of the first to address modern mass incarceration and police brutality.

lyrics

WELL, HERE’S A SONG WE ALL CAN SING
LET’S START THIS STORY WITH RODNEY KING
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE, HOLD ON
I WATCHED THEM BEAT HIM ON T.V.
THEN SIMI VALLEY SET THEM FREE
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE, HOLD ON
HOLD ON -- HOLD ON -- KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE, HOLD ON

THEN JOHNNY GAMMAGE DIES IN VAIN
AS KILLER COPS HIT THE STREETS AGAIN
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE, HOLD ON
OUR HOPE CRUSHED AGAIN IN ALBANY
AS DIALLO’S KILLERS WALK OUT FREE
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE, HOLD ON
HOLD ON – HOLD ON – KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE, HOLD ON

THE VERDICTS FILLED MY HEART WITH PAIN
BUT I WILL SING THE SAME REFRAIN
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE, HOLD ON
A CRY FOR JUSTICE FILLS THE AIR
BUT THIS IS NO TIME FOR DESPAIR
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE, HOLD ON
HOLD ON -- HOLD ON -- KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE, HOLD ON

WE'VE GOT TO REBUILD AMERICA, KEEP HOPE ALIVE
WE'VE GOT TO REBUILD AMERICA, KEEP HOPE ALIVE
WE'VE GOT TO REBUILD AMERICA, EYES ON THE PRIZE
THAT DREAM WE ARE BUILDING NEVER DIES

YOU CAN'T MURDER JUSTICE, NO, NO, NO
YOU DON'T BURY FREEDOM, NO YOU DON'T
WE CAN SEE A FUTURE WHERE OUR CHILDREN SHARE THE EARTH
AND YOU WON'T TAKE THAT FROM US, NO YOU WON'T

END RACIAL PROFILING -- VIOLENCE MUST CEASE
WHEN WILL THEY LEARN IT? NO JUSTICE! NO PEACE!
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE, HOLD ON

WE'VE GOTTA EDUCATE CHILDREN, NOT PUT THEM IN JAIL
BY WHATEVER MEANS NECESSARY WE MUST PREVAIL
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE, HOLD ON

OUR CITIES ARE CRUMBLIN'; OUR SCHOOLS A DISGRACE
WE’RE BUILDING JAILS & PUTTING WEAPONS IN SPACE
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE, HOLD ON

DON'T SIT AT HOME THINKIN' "WHAT COULD I DO?"
REMEMBER THAT UNITY STARTS WITH YOU
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE, HOLD ON

IS DEMOCRACY DEAD? ONLY TIME’S GONNA TELL
GET YOUR FEET IN THE STREET NOW, START RAISIN’ SOME HELL!
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE, HOLD ON

YES, SISTERS AND BROTHERS, KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE
CAUSE WE'RE BUILDING A DREAM, AND THE DREAM NEVER DIES
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE, HOLD ON

credits

from War on the Workers a Tribute to Anne Feeney, released December 28, 2016
© Anne Feeney (BMI)
Eric Schwartz- Vocals
Tom Prasada-Rao- Vocals
Matt Nakoa- Vocals
Recorded by Neale Eckstein

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Anne Feeney Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Anne Feeney is a front-line singer and agitator well-versed in the traditions of Pete Seeger, Phil Ochs and Tom Lehrer.

She's taken her musical message all over the US and Canada as well as Sweden and Denmark.

Based in Pittsburgh, PA, For almost 50 years, Anne has gone to wherever the fires of resistance burn brightly, comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable. ... more

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