Mr. President

Mr. President
If you're listening
My words are going to sting with truth
But a man who wants to reign
Through forceful, brutal ways
Won't do
So you're through
But there's a precedent
The few who could not be swayed
Strong, benevolent
They knew the truth would rise up one day

Mandela
Marley and Fela
Mother Teresa
A light to guide your soul
With love we can be
Like King or Gandhi
Like young Malala
And turn your lead to gold

Mr. President
Heads of government
Across the continent

Mr. President
Your lies cannot prevent
The past from catching up
With you
Because a man who serves himself
In search of fame and wealth
Is doomed
And you're proof
Is it not evident
A life of greed will end in shame
Don't be so hesitant
To surrender
And remember
Their names

Mandela
Marley and Fela
Mother Teresa
A light to guide your soul
With love we can be
Like King or Gandhi
Like young Malala
And turn your lead to gold

They had a dream
To march and sing
To heal and guide
This troubled tribe
They had a dream
Of man redeemed
Of humankind
Awake, aligned

So Mr. President
A heart on fire cannot be slain
When love is militant
We're courageous
Like the sages
And saints

Mandela
Marley and Fela
Monks in Lhasa
Mother Teresa
Sojourner Truth
A light to guide your soul
Berta Cáceres
With love we can be
Like King or Gandhi
Belafonte
Like young Malala
Young Sahaaleh, too
And turn your lead to gold
John Brown and Baldwin
Mandela
Rosa and Leymah
Kochiyama
Tubman and Hamer
Chavez and Jara, too
A life so brave and bold
Lennon and Wonder
Stand up for justice
Stand up for life
Like Frederick Douglass
Standing like a fortress
Red Cloud, Tecumseh
Standing like a guiding light
From there a seed can grow
And thrive inside your soul
One day