BIRD OF FREEDOM
From the darkness of an old disgrace
And from old deep fears of our past,
From the shadows of ruins,
Alive,
From the water’s grip,
Like a bird
We extend, we arise,
Our memory continuing
To vitalise our being,
The memory of lost freedom
And its beautiful dignity;
And our language too
A breath in the breast,
A lament and song
In our mouths,
A single shout in the mountains;
Arise from the shadow
As a heartbeat,
A swelling breast
To face the sun;
From shame into the light
And the wide sky,
Beautiful, powerful,
Free
On wings of fire.