How long?

Everyone is dead or dying
(all are loved, but not all love)
Every eye is red from crying
(all are called, but not all come)
Everyone is held a hostage
(hope, a ransom paid in blood)
Every soul is kept in bondage
(hope, a diamond in the rough)

How long?
How long do we wait in this mire and filth?
How long?
How long do we bend from the weight of this guilt?
How long?
How long will the hallow men sing their song?
How long?
How long will we have to wait till we belong?
How long?

Every knee is raw from kneeling
(all are loved, but not all love)
Every heart is sick of beating
(all are called, but not all come)
Every hand clings to what's gone
(hope, a ransom paid in blood)
Every eye strains for the dawn
(hope, a diamond in the rough)

But the waiting ended long ago when love came down and gave us hope
Although the dawn has come so slow, our eyes can see the sun's approach
And basking in that warming glow, we'll find a place we've always known
And call it home.