Freedom Is At Hand
Bukas Palad Lyrics

We have walked all the highways
We have traveled far and wide in our journey.

Yet where have we gone
But we have made little or no progress in achieving our goal.

We planted dreams along the byways
We have invested our hopes and ambitions in our surroundings.

What else is there to be done
We have done all that we can, now what more can we do?

We spoke of peace, pure and simple
We expressed our desire for a state of harmony and tranquility.

They seemed not to understand
However, our pleas fell on deaf ears and our message was not received.

We asked them to free our people
We requested for the liberation of our fellow men and women.

They said, "Freedom is at hand."
But they responded with a hollow promise that was never realized.

We asked, "Is freedom a farmer with no land to farm?
We questioned if the idea of freedom was plausible for someone without the necessary resources to achieve it.

Is freedom a fisher with no river to fish?
Or if freedom is even possible for someone with no access to basic necessities of life.

Is freedom a worker with no place to work?"
We probed if one could truly be free without job opportunities or access to economic resources.

Yet they said, "Freedom is at hand."
But despite our valid questions, they continued to make empty promises of freedom.

Guns cried out as night drew near
As evening approached, we were met with violent resistance.

We hurried for home
We rushed back to our loved ones and safe abode.

To our children aged in fear
To our trembling and worried offspring.

Whose dreams are made of stone
Who have become hardened and disillusioned by the harsh reality of their existence.

"Peace," we said, "is not an empty plate
We maintained that peace was more than just physical sustenance.

Nor a man with no land.
But also encompassed the idea of a home or a thriving environment.

Freedom we can no longer wait."
We were tired of waiting for the elusive dream of freedom to be realized.

They said, "Freedom is at hand." (REFRAIN)
But still, we were met with the same empty promise, with no real progress or hope for change.