Irmaus

Many men walk beside me,
I don't hold them. They seem strange to me.
But you, who are far away,
beyond the deserts and lakes,
beyond the savannas and islands,
like a brother I speak to you.
If my night is yours,
if my eyes shed tears for your weeping,
if our dreams are the same,
like a brother I speak to you.
Even if our words are different
and you are black and I am white,
and we have similar wounds,
like a brother I speak to you.
Above all borders,
above walls and fences,
if our cries are the same,
like a brother I speak to you.
We share the same homeland,
we both fight together,
what I give you is my love,
like a brother I speak to you.
If you feel poverty,
if you suffer injustice,
if full of anger
you lock up in the cage
of your chest the dog,
for you full of strength
go my hand, brother.