Roger Street Friedman - The Ghosts Of Sugarland (ccoustic)

one block east of Ellis Creek on Highway 90c
in the graveyard of the old Imperial Farm the bones of convict laborers lay
up until these bones were found their story went unheard
for the sons of bitches that buried them away
didn't want you to know a word

the slaves were freed in '62, while the Civil War raged
in ‘65 the confederates lost the war and the wealth that slavery made
abolition was signed and sealed but held one fateful flaw
no man shall be a slave it said
unless he broke the law

now you can park your truck by the railroad track
look left or right but never back
plant survey stakes right where you stand
but you can't silence the ghosts of Sugarland

Imperial Sugar was built and thrived on the juice of the sugarcane
in the town of Sugarland Texas on the backs of tortured slaves
on the bare heels of the Civil War its fortunes had run dry
no free labor in the fields or the mill
meant Imperial Sugar might die

now you can build your house with finest wood
plant colorful gardens and water them good
make your feather beds and your master plans
but you can't silence the ghosts of Sugar Land

the white elite who'd lost the South were put right back in power
to see as equal those they'd once owned was a bitter pill
and sour
and to share their streets and sidewalks caused a shame deep in their souls
the black codes and the convict lease
killed two birds with one stone

now you can fill your kitchens with stainless steel
buff up the past on the grinding wheel
raise your cocktail glass and wash your hands
but you can't silence the ghosts of Sugar Land

the black codes turned living while black into a felony
they'd pick a man up for vagrancy for just walking down the street
for a petty offense the fines too high to pay the court its fee
so they could send em to the prison farm
and lease ‘em to the company

you can pour your coffee in a fancy cup
add in the sugar and stir it up
hold your sweet daydreams in both your hands
but you can't silence the ghosts of Sugarland

Imperial Sugar worked those men till their bodies were bent and torn
“The Hellhole on the Brazos” is how Imperial farm was known
just a lucky few survived their time, many more were left for dead
the ink on the company's books was black
but the blood on its hands was red

now you can pay lip service to the golden rule
sugarcoat what gets taught in school
from your brand-new homes on haloed sand
but you can't silence the ghosts of Sugarland

no one knows the names of those buried in these graves
history's been covered up and mostly washed away
all that stands to mark this site is one white wooden cross
a rusty gate and a few small stones
not one sign of remorse

now you can dress yourselves in your Sunday best
pray to the lord for a day of rest
wave your plastic flags and your paper fans
but you can't silence the ghosts of Sugarland

tell me if those spirits rose what is it they'd say?
to look over the landscape at where things stand today
they'd tell us not to be afraid of what history might teach
they'd say that we must make this land
more just, humane, and free

if we open out ears we'll hear their call
to see the bonds that bind each to all *
to seek the truth with hearts and hands
and free the ghosts of Sugarland
free the ghosts Sugarland
free the ghosts of Sugarland

Written by:
LARRY CAMPBELL, ROGER FRIEDMAN

Publisher:
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave

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