Chains

Chains, chains that bind,
Chains that restrict
Hold all mankind back
From what 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 to throw off
All these chains
That all your people
Might be one people.
(written 1965)