48 Years

48 years in silence 
No one to hear my words 
I feel like a victim of violence 
Why can't my voice be heard? 

48 years have imprisoned my soul 
48 years have exacted a toll 
As I lay by my woman's side 
These 48 years she has cried 

48 years I have toiled 
I've nothing but calloused hands 
My fingernails broken and soiled 
Attending our ruler's commands 

48 years have imprisoned my soul 
48 years have exacted a toll 
As I lay by my woman's side 
These 48 years she has cried 

48 years I've been dying 
Tear by tear, breath by breath 
I've long since given up trying 
No escaping this silent death 

48 years have imprisoned my soul 
48 years have exacted a toll 
As I lay by my woman's side 
These 48 years she has cried 

These 48 years she has cried