We cannot go back to the way things were
A world filled with bigotry, judgement, and fear
So many suffered for what we hold dear
We cannot go backwards; we cannot go back.

Our world can be harsh; void of mercy and grace
Towards those who differ in religion or race
But we’re all connected in various ways
We cannot go backwards; we cannot go back.

Black, red, brown, yellow; we’re all just the same
The same coloured blood flows through all of our veins
So how can this all be happening again?
We cannot go backwards; we cannot go back.

We cannot go back to a time we thought lost;
Legalized slavery and the holocaust
All of our freedoms; they came at a cost
We cannot go backwards; we cannot go back.

What gives you the right to decide who is ‘in’?
Who told you to judge by the colour of skin?
Who taught you that not being white is a sin?
We cannot go backwards; we cannot go back.

“Do unto others”, yes, no matter who
“As you would have them do unto you.”
Wise words for us all; not just a select few
We can’t go backwards: we cannot go back.

Judging those who are different is our tendency
But often we are our own worst enemy
More threat lies within us than externally
We cannot go backwards; we cannot go back.

M.L. King was a hero; a human so rare
Who said, “Hate is too great a burden to bear.”
Instead of revenge, he forgave and chose prayer
We cannot go backwards; we cannot go back.

Please tell your children there’s a better way
Teach them acceptance and kind words to say
Show by example what you need to convey
We cannot go backwards; we cannot go back.

We cannot go back to the way things were
A world filled with bigotry, judgement and fear
So many suffered for what we hold dear
We cannot go backwards; we cannot go back.