Land of Bondage

Land of Bondage, Land of the Free
Raul Manglapus

Ladies and Gentlemen, the tao does not come here tonight to be judged but to judge. Hear then his accusations and his sentiments.

I indict the Spanish encomendero for inventing taxes impossible to bear. I indict the usurer for saddling me debts impossible to pay. I indict the irresponsible leaders who undermine insidious eloquence the confident of my kind in the government.
You accuse me of ignorance. But I am ignorant because my master finds it profitable to make me ignorant. Free me from bondage and I shall prove you false.
You accuse me of indolence. But I am indolent not because I have no will, but because I have no hope.
Why should I labor? If all the fruits of my labor go to pay an unpayable debt? Free me from bondage and I shall prove you false.

Give me land. Land to own. Land unbeholden to any tyrant. Land that will be free.

Give me land for I am starving. Give me land for my children may not die. Sell it to me, sell it to me at a fair price, as one free man sell it to another and not as usurer sell to a slave.   I am poor but I will pay it. I will work, work, until I fall from my weariness for my privilege, for my inalienable right to be free.

BUT IF YOU WILL NOT GRANT ME THIS.. if you will not grant me this last request, this ultimate demand, then build a wall around your home.. Build it high! Build it strong! Place a sentry on every parapet! For I who have been silent this three hundred years will come in the night when you are feasting with my cry and my bolo at your door. And may God have mercy on your soul!