The Exiles

My translation of The Exiles by Greek dissident and songwriter Theodorakis
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Dm Gm Dm
The tides close in around us, this prison of the waves
Dm F C Dm
Young men with a granite gaze stand guard among the caves
Dm F Gm Dm 
Our kin sent from our firesides, our children chained and broke
Bb dm A Dm
Tortured on the rack, or else bent under the yoke

Standing tall in the prison yard, ringed with guns and wire
With steel around our hearts, and our spirits bright with fire
Mother do not sigh for me; mother dry your tears
Now the thrones are crumbling; now our day is near

The hills are shining gold before the coming of the day
The numbness of these chains, in its warmth is burned away
Strike them down, my brothers, and strike while we are strong-
Strike to shake the bedrock, and to bring in freedom’s dawn