There's a river running sweat right through our land Driven by a man with a bullwhip in his hand And I've taken just as much as I can stand Oh we've got to free our brothers from their shackles if we can Most nights I have to watch my woman cry Every day I watch the colonel smile His painted ladies riding in from town I swear one day I'm gonna burn that whore house to the ground Slave, slave To fight the violence we must be brave Hold on strong to the love God gave Slave There's a rumor of a war that's yet to come That may free our families and our sons It may lay green lands to barren wastes The price of release is a bitter blow to face