From the Ashes

They staggered to freedom more dead than alive
Flesh barely hiding the bones underneath
Broken and battered their eyes told the tale - of shattered souls, anguish and grief

But then they started selling sugar cubes - or anything they could find
Making trades, taking chances - at unproven skills
Each penny slowly earned, invested and saved - their form of revenge, to rebuild

They rose from the ashes - and relit their matches
To kindle a fire that somehow grew stronger
They suffered in silence - yet lived in defiance
Never forgetting their mothers and fathers

How did they lift themselves from the dust
And build this world they created for us
With all that was theirs - vanished and gone
Where did they find - the will to go on

We have seen the furrowed brows
Pale sullen faces and numbers on skin
No one but they would ever know - the pain they carried within

Yet they founded our communities and fought to build our land
Scorning the darkness - and striving for light
And millions perpetuate - what nearly was lost
Reawakened - and bursting with life

They rose from the ashes - and relit their matches
To kindle a fire that somehow grew stronger
They suffered in silence - yet lived in defiance
Never forgetting their mothers and fathers

How did they lift themselves from the dust
And build this world they created for us
With all that was theirs - vanished and gone
Where did they find - the will to go on

While some stood in silence - took comfort in blindness
There is no denying the crimes that took place
They were witnessed by millions - forever instilled in
A narrative that can't be erased

And we'll pass this torch from father to son
And through the ages will always live on
Events that occurred will always remain
In our collective memory unchanged

How Did they Lift, How Did they Lift - Lift themselves Up From the Dust?
How Did they Lift, How Did they Lift - Lift themselves Up From the Dust?
Lift themselves up

We stood by a mountain as our nation was founded
Faith etched in our hearts by a voice from on high
It was witnessed by millions - forever instilled in
Our narrative - to last for all time

And this torch was passed from father to son
And through the ages has always lived on
In the face of despair - confusion and doubt
The flame that defines us - has never gone out

The flame that defines us - will never go out