I
On a winter's evening in my hometown
Christmas lights are shimmering, snow is on the ground
Carollers are singing a joyous silent night
But in black south africa you won't find one candle light

[Repeat Chorus]

II
In a little village on the back side of capetown
A little boy is trembling, his tears are rolling down
The police broke into his home, they saw his candle glow
It's against the law to burn one don't you know?

[Repeat Chorus]

III
It might cause a riot, that's what the police say
To burn one little candle even on a christmas day
How fragile can their order be, what do they have to save?
How long will they remain free while all the rest are slaves?

[Repeat Chorus]

IV
In a little village on the backside of capetown
A little girl is trembling, her tears are flowing down
The vigilantes burned her home, they torched it to the ground
Now there's no place to call her own or lay her burden down

[Repeat Chorus]

V

They make the ii fight against themselves, they think the world can't see
Divide and conquer is their game; a state emergency
Will help them hide their cruel shame and their brutality
How much blood will have to flow before they set them free.

[Repeat Chorus]

[Repeat Chorus]

© 1986 Words and Music by Bob Killian