Light A Candle (Words & music by Bob Killian, Arr: Larry Long)

From the Album Sweet Thunder

On a winter’s evening
in my hometown.
Christmas lights are shimmering.
Snow is on the ground.
Carolers are singing
a joyous “Silent Night”.
But in black South Africa
you won’t find a one candlelight.

In a little village
in the black side of Cape Town.
A little boy is trembling,
tears rolling down.
Police broke into his home.
Saw his candle glow.
It’s against the law, my friend,
to burn one don’t you know.

Will you light a candle
for South Africa.
Put a light in your window
on a cold dark winter’s night.
Will you light a candle
for South Africa.
If we all light candles,
surely, they will see the light.

I might cause a riot.
That’s what the police say.
To light one little candle
even on Christmas Day.
How fragile can their order be?
What do they have to save?
Who can say they are free
when so many still are enslaved?

Will you light a candle
for South Africa.
Put a light in your window
on a cold dark winter’s night.
Will you light a candle
for South Africa.
If we all light candles,
surely, they will see the light.

Why must we fight between ourselves
and pretend we cannot see?
Divide and conquer, fools game.
State emergency.
Nothing can hide such shame.
Such brutality.
How much more blood will flow
before we are set free?

Will you light a candle
for South Africa.
Put a light in your window
on a cold dark winter’s night.
Will you light a candle
for South Africa.
If we all light candles,
surely, they will see the light.

Words & music: Bob Killian
Copyright Bob Killian 1987

Arrangement: Larry Long

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Larry’s music is available on Apple Music, Amazon, Spotify, Bandcamp and select e-tailers