Hard to Live in Babylon

Inspired By Culture:

Red youth man, young Rasta man

I have something to say
Each man carries a plan
Each man carries a loss
Each man must find the strength
To face the struggle of the day

Tears fall from fearless eyes
Evil whispers in the night
I seek a cave beside the sea
A place of rest, a place of light

As a free man walking the street
I cry out my plea
It is hard to live in Babylon
It is hard to live and be free

As a Rasta man
Temptation presses near
No swine upon my plate
Vegetables keep me clear
But one mistake, one wrong step
And prison waits with chains severe

Still I love God
Even in this season of trial
The tree withers in drought
Yet the root endures a while

Hard to live in Babylon
Rough to live in Babylon
Still I turn my eyes to the city
And lift my voice with song

To live in Babylon is heavy
Even if meat is on your side
They killed my brother, cast him to the sea
Not even a fish remains for the tide

This is the weight I carry
This is the cry of the Rasta man
Hard to live in Babylon
But I will stand as long as I can.