VAMPIRE NATION

From the very beginning

To this very day;

This country has gone–its own special way;

from placing Indians in chains and graves;

to bringing Africans–across the waves;

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How can we call this freedom’s land?

When it was built by slavery’s hand!

From 1492 many millions were slew;

From the day Co-lumbus sailed ocean blue.

This is–this is–a Vampire Nation!

Been that way since its creation!

This is–this is–a Vampire Nation!

I sing it without exaggeration!

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But why call it Vampire Nation?

It ain’t Dracula’s generation;

‘Cause America was old before that story got told;

They came in a flood, to feed on each other’s blood;

They bled Cherokee, Ashanti, Arapaho & Mandingo;

Worked ’em ’till they were no mo’;

Runnin’ ’em from shore to shore!

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Why call it Vampire Nation?

It ain’t Dracula’s generation;

This is–this is–a Vampire Nation!

Been that way since its creation!

This is–this is–a Vampire Nation!

Call it out–no hesitation!

@ Copyright Mumia Abu-Jamal

As performed at the Brown University conference.

OCTOBER 29th UPDATE: And here’s the video of the Brown session with the song: