Freedom is at Hand

Manoling Francisco, SJ

We have walked all the highways,
Yet where have we gone?
We planted dreams along the byways,
What else is there to be done?

We spoke of peace, pure and simple,
They seemed not to understand.
We asked them to free our people
They said, "Freedom is at hand."

REF1:
We asked, "Is freedom a farmer with no land to farm?
Is freedom a fisher with no river to fish?
Is freedom a worker with no place to work?"
Yet they said, "Freedom is at hand."

Guns cried out as night drew near,
We hurried for home
To our children aged in fear,
Whose dreams are made of stone.

"Peace," we said, "is not an empty plate
Nor a man with no land.
Freedom we can no longer wait."
They said, "Freedom is at hand."

REF2:
We asked, "Is freedom a farmer with no land to farm?
Is freedom a fisher with no river to fish?
Is freedom a worker with no place to work?"
Yet they said, "Freedom is at hand."
Yet they said, "Freedom is at hand."

Coda:
Yet they said, "Freedom is at hand."

For You are my God

John Foley, SJ

Ref:
For You are my God, You alone are my joy; Defend me, O Lord.

You give marvelous comrades to me, the faithful who dwell in Your land;
Those who choose alien gods have chosen an alien band.

You are my portion and cup; it is You that I claim for my prize.
Your heritage is my delight; the lot You have given to me.