In the county called Fayette
in the state of Tennessee,
Freedom City stands for all
the world to see.
Tenants driven from their home
just across the way,
In tents now they live,
but here is what they'll say,
Well, we were born in Fayette County,
here we will stay,
It'll take more than eviction
to drive us away.
The tenants tell their story,
it's the same thing over again.
When we went to the polls,
our troubles did begin.
They took our trucks and tractors,
more troubles every day.
They took away our livelihood,
but here is what we say.
Well, we were born in Fayette County,
here we will stay.
It will take more than trouble
to drive us away.
Now they've kept us from voting
for nearly a hundred years,
All because our color
is not the same as theirs.
Now we've gone and voted
and we live in tents today,
Our family's cold and hungry,
but here is what we say,
Well, we were born in Fayette County,
here we will stay,
It'll take more than hunger
to drive us away.
There in the early morning,
the planter's gunmen creep,
By the tents of Freedom City,
where little children sleep.
Guns, roar, barrels
aimed at children in their beds
A bullet struck Earl Williams
and this is what he said,
Well I was born in Fayette County,
here I will stay
It'll take more than
And bullets to drive me away.
They're in the mud and the rain
Of a cold winter's night.
By the tents of Freedom City
They stand on guard tonight.
But they look into the future
And this is what they see.
A better world for everyone
who's fighting to be free.
Till we were born in Fayette County,
here we will stay.
We will see the coming
of a new and brighter day.
Yes, we were born in Fayette County,
here we will stay.
And we will see the coming
of a new and brighter day.
. .