Chains

Chains, chains that bind,

Chains that restrict

Hold all mankind back

From all we could and should be.

What are the chains that bind?

Chains of hatred;

Hatred of whatever is different,

Hatred of different thoughts, ideas.

Chains of fear;

Fear of the person next door,

Fear of anything we don’t know.

Chains of prejudice;

Prejudice and fear of a person

Who is made a little differently

Or thinks a little differently.

Chains of suspicion;

Suspicion of anything

That we don’t understand.

These are the chains that bind

That hold us all down

And keep us from being

One people under God.

Oh Lord, help us throw off

All these chains

That all your people

Might be one people.