Moses was a prophet, a man of holy rage
His voice rolls down like thunder, it echoes age to age
He knew what the Lord was demanding
He knew that his people were standing
Waiting on his word to make their flight
And he knew their sorrow, their uncertain tomorrow
O for the courage of that prophet in the night.
Martin led his people, marching through the night
Surely he grew lonesome, weary of the fight
But he knew what the ages were crying
He knew that his people were dying
Hanging on the dream he held aloft
And he knew their sorrow, their uncertain tomorrow
O for the courage of that leader in the night.
Oscar, arzobispo, hombre de visión
Habló por los pobres, creyó en su misión
Supo lo que el gobierno tramaba
Supo lo que el Señor demandaba
En la iglesia habló por los oprimidos
Es cierto que supo de su negro futuro
O para tener el valor de este santo de Diós.
Nelson sat in prison, a captive of the state
Surely he grew lonesome while his people had to wait
But he knew that justice requires
Patience ‘till the enemy tires
Shining from the prison was a light
His is bitter sorrow, an uncertain tomorrow
O for the courage of that prisoner in the night.
Mary had a baby in the dark of night
Surely she grew lonesome, weak and full of fright
Who knew that angels were singing?
Who knew that wise men were bringing,
Gifts of promise, hope for all the world?
She knew her infant’s sorrow, his uncertain tomorrow
O for the courage of that woman in the night.
© 1993 Pamela Cardullo Ortiz