The Poet

(working on music-text inspired by poet Al-Ajamin)

The poet wrote a poem and scared the ruling class

Who put their hands to their ears to stop his harmless blast

One hundred words in Arabic from a man you could not own

Why can't you hear it as a man and forget your royal throne

You put the man in darkness

You kept him without right

But as you lay to sleep

As you slumber thru the night

In your world so soft and fair

Please ask your conscience if you dare

Why did you keep him there.

Why did you keep him there.

If you thought to hide the truth well sir you’re out of luck

The poet could not speak but his poem flew from your clutch

Just like a bird that’s free to fly to sing a song so clear

The poem escaped your borders and has reached us over here.

You put the man in darkness

You kept him without right

But as you lay to sleep

As you slumber thru the night

In your world so soft and fair

Please ask your conscience if you dare

Why did you keep him there.

Why did you keep him there.

When his poem spoke truth to power why was it hard to hear

You risked your faith in God when you listened to your fear

You put the man in darkness

You kept him without right

But as you lay to sleep

As you slumber thru the night

In your world so soft and fair

Please ask your conscience if you dare

Why did you keep him there.

Why did you keep him there.

© Armell