Elaine Brown
The End of Silence
Elaine Brown is a prison activist, writer, singer, and former Black Panther Party chairwoman. She lives in Oakland, CA.
The story of the Black Panthers is complex and often misunderstood. They provided free breakfast for children, sponsored health clinics, and published a revolutionary newspaper. They sought affordable housing, affordable education, and an end to police brutality. They were also accused sexism, extortion, and criminal activity. While working with the Panthers, Elaine Brown edited their newspaper and ran for office twice. She also recorded two albums, including Seize the Time, which included the track featured here, "The End of Silence." At present, Brown lives in Oakland, California, where she works to reform the criminal justice system.
Have you ever stood In the darkness of night Screaming silently You're a man Have you ever hoped that a time would come when your voice could be heard In a noon-day sun Have you waited so long 'Til your unheard song Has stripped away your very soul. Well then, believe it my friend That this silence will end We'll just have to get guns and be men Has a cry to live When your brain is dead Made your body tremble so. And have unseen chains Of too many years Hurt you so bad 'til you can't Shed tears Have so many vows From so many mouths Made you know that words Are just words Well then, believe it my friend That this silence will end We'll just have to get guns and be men You know that dignity Not just equality Is what makes a man a man And so you laugh at laws Passed by a silly lot That tell you to give thanks For what you've already Got And you can't go on with this time-worn song That just won't change the way You feel. Well then, believe it my friend That this silence will end We'll just have to get guns and be men You don't want to think You just want to drink Both the sweet wine and the gall You been burning inside For so long a while 'Til Your old time grin is now a crazed man's smile And the goal's so clear And the time so near You'll make it or You'll break the plow Well then, believe it my friend That this silence will end We'll just have to get guns and be men Yes it's time you know Who you really are And not try whitewash the truth. You're a man you see And a man must be Whatever he'll be or he won't be free If he's bound up so tight He'll hold back the night And their won't be no light For day Well then, believe it my friend That this silence will end We'll just have to get guns and be men.