Starvation

All our young were taken from us
Few could work in the fields in their place

We were told to pay half our harvest each day
What was left could barely go round
To feed what was left of our town
Plagues tormented us
Many would faint, unable to eat
We begged the spirits each night to lift our burdens
Because we cleansed out Christ, but our prayers were for naught

Our quota could not be filled
And the soldiers with us threatened to kill
Without mercy and no regard
For our plight and our land that is scarred
Our brothers fell each day
Many from hunger, and others tried to run
The old and sick were abandoned
Some even slain to conserve our resources

Our slavery was worse than death
Oh, what we'd give to freely draw breath
To see our children once again
To hear their laughter and watch them run
To be permitted to enjoy life
To have a future with daughters and sons

New bodies were hanged from the gates
As an example that we'd meet their fate
Death by their hands or starvation over time
The spirits' favor no longer would shine