This song was written for a very brave man.
A man who preached non-violence,
in a state which has racism enshrined in its constitution.
A man who was imprisoned, tortured,
and killed in a jail in South Africa.
This is for Steven Biko.
September '77
Port Elizabeth weather fine
It was business as usual
In police room 619
Oh Biko, Biko, because Biko
Yihla Moja, Yihla Moja - The man is dead -
The man is dead
When I try to sleep at night
I can only dream in red
The outside world is black and white
With only one color dead
Oh Biko, Biko, because Biko
Yihla Moja, Yihla Moja - The man is dead -
The man is dead
You can blow out a candle
But you can't blow out a fire
Once the flames begin to catch
The wind will blow it higher
Oh Biko, Biko, because Biko
Yihla Moja, Yihla Moja - The man is dead -
The man is dead
And the eyes of the world
Are watching now
Watching now
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Everyone!
Oh, oh, oh, oh
For all of those still in jail in South Africa
Oh, oh
For all those still being tortured
Oh, oh, oh, oh
For all prisoners of conscience
Oh, oh, oh, oh
For Steven BIko
Oh, oh, oh, oh