32) "Hey There, Delaney"

(to the tune of "Hey There, Delilah" by the Plain White T's)

[verse 1 - to the people locked inside]

Hey there, Delaney

To the West of New York City

You’ve been locked away on hunger strike

Conditions aren’t so pretty

But you’re strong

What they have done to you is wrong

Please hear our song

[verse 2 - to the families]

Hey there, Delaney

You are here to see your loved ones

But they cancelled visitation

Just because they dared to stand up

For what’s right

We’re standing with you in this fight

Each day and night

[CHORUS 1]

Oh, they’re longing to be free

Oh, with their families

Oh, will you stand with me?

Oh, until they all are free

Until they all are free

[verse 3 - to the protesters]

Hey there, Delaney

You’re not worried ‘bout the distance

You’ve come miles and miles to protest

‘Cause you could not look away

From what is true

History remembers what we do

Keep pushing through 

[verse 4 - to everyone]

Hey there, Delaney

I’ve got so much left to say

If every freedom song I sang to you could melt this ICE away

I’d sing them all

Every single prison camp would fall

We’d free them all

[CHORUS 2]

Oh, they’re longing to be free

Oh, with their families

Oh, will you stand with me?

Oh, until they all are free

[bridge]

A blast of gas, a sudden surge

These federal fascists are a scourge  

They’ll push you into traffic after dark

MAGAs will make fun of us

But we won’t stop at all because

We know no human being deserves a cage

Delaney, I can promise you

That by the time our fight is through 

The profiteers will finally pay a price

Abolish ICE!

[final verse - amplifying the demands]

Hey there, Delaney, your demands are pretty simple

Free the children, free the sick, release the elders

Let the governor inside 

You’re not alone, we’re by your side

We can sing for your dignity and pride 

Hey there, Delaney, here’s to you

This one’s for you

[FINAL CHORUS]

Oh, they’re longing to be free

Oh, with their families

Oh, will you stand with me?

Oh, until they all are free

Until they all are free

Oh, oh

Whoa, whoa

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh…