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1. |
Ari Intro
03:39
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Lyics & Vocals: Ari Lesser
Trumpet Solo: Chanan Schecter
Music & Production: Yirmiyahu BenZion
Mixing: Maameen Productions
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2. |
Today
03:07
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3. |
Oseh Shalom
04:30
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Lyics & Vocals: Ari Lesser
Music & Production: Yirmiyahu BenZion
Mixing: Maameen Productions
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4. |
Indigenous
03:30
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Jews are indigenous to the Middle East
And all we’re asking is for little peace
Been oppressed ever since we were dispossessed
Enslaved, arrested, and put to death
But we persevered, never disappeared
Been in Israel, for thousands of years
Thank G-d, we’ve been able to overcome
Still living in the land that we come from
Some people say the Ashkenazi
Originally came from Germany
But ask a Nazi, and he’ll disagree
Doesn’t think we’re part of his family tree
He’s actually right, about one thing at least
We’re not from Europe, we’re from the middle east
But the Roman’s came and destroyed our home
Overthrown, some of us had to go on the roam
And of course those Jews who never left the land
Were oppressed so hard they could hardly stand
Second class citizens like Jim Crowe
All over the region wherever we’d go
Divided and conquered our enemies tried
To end us with a world wide genocide
But Hitler failed, our people prevailed
And we still stand strong in Yisrael
Cause Jews are indigenous to the Middle East
And all we’re asking is for little peace
Been oppressed ever since we were dispossessed
Enslaved, arrested, and put to death
But we persevered, never disappeared
Been in Israel, for thousands of years
Thank G-d, we’ve been able to overcome
Still living in the land that we come from
Though I can handle the snow in Ohio
If follow my roots and I know where they go
I’m Midwest born, but I’m from the Middle East
Where my deceased ancestors rest in peace
In Hebron, I couldn’t hold back my tears
At that grave my forefathers felt so near
Stopped in Bethlehem, broke down and cried
When I realized this was where my grandmother died
In Jerusalem I was bawling cause all
That remains of our Temple is the Wailing Wall
It’s been standing alone since our exile began
When many were forced to flee from our land
Some stayed, but those who wandered away
Prayed to return three times everyday
And now we’ve been answered at last we stand
Together with our clan in the Holy Land
Cause Jews are indigenous to the Middle East
And all we’re asking is for little peace
Been oppressed ever since we were dispossessed
Enslaved, arrested, and put to death
But we persevered, never disappeared
Been in Israel, for thousands of years
Thank G-d, we’ve been able to overcome
Still living in the land that we come from
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5. |
Give Thanks
03:55
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There’s so much I’m grateful for
Today a cannot ask for more
I have my heart and soul and strength
This life is blessed so I give thanks
Give thanks to the Universal One
Give thanks for the moon and stars and sun
Give thanks for the Earth on which we live
Give thanks for the bounty she can give
Give thanks for tree and the fruit it grows
Give thanks for the cup that overflows
Give thanks for the food and drink and air
Give thanks there’s more than enough to share
Give thanks for the extra we can spare
Give thanks for the clothes we have to wear
Give thanks for the comfort of our beds
Give thanks for the roofs above our heads
There’s so much I’m grateful for
Today a cannot ask for more
I have my heart and soul and strength
This life is blessed so I give thanks
Give thanks to the Only Source Of All
Give thanks for the big and for the small
Give thanks for the low and the highest height
Give thanks for the dark and for the light
Give thanks for the times of joy and song
Give thanks for the pain the keeps us strong
Give thanks because we’re still alive
Give thanks this moment has arrived
Give thanks our path has brought us here
Give thanks, we lived another year
Give thanks for the past we left behind
Give thanks for the future we will find
There’s so much I’m grateful for
Today a cannot ask for more
I have my heart and soul and strength
This life is blessed so I give thanks
Give thanks to Infinite Most High
Give thanks no matter how or why
Give thanks in every time and place
Give thanks we’re part of the human race
Give thanks for the people that we meet
Give thanks for the neighbors on our street
Give thanks for the teachers that we had
Give thanks for every mom and dad
Give thanks for the family that we got
Give thanks for the friends we like a lot
Give thanks for the ones who we hold dear
Give thanks that those we love are hear
There’s so much I’m grateful for
Today a cannot ask for more
I have my heart and soul and strength
This life is blessed so I give thanks
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6. |
Love
03:46
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I got nothing but love for another
Love all my friends, love for my lover
Love like a son, love like a brother
And love for one God cause there is no other
Got so much love for my fam
Without you I just wouldn’t be who I am
Together you’ve shaped me down to my core
Given me so much and still giving more
Wisdom from my father, spirit from my mother
Strength from my sister, emotion from my brother
As long as you’re around, I’ll never be alone
And whenever I’m in town, I always have a home
Throughout my whole life since I was a little kid
You always supported me, no matter what I did
Been there for me through the worst and the best
To have family like you I am truly blessed
Whatever happens to me, or happens to you
Regardless of what I might say or do
No matter where we are however far apart
I love you all from the bottom of my heart
I got nothing but love for another
Love all my friends, love for my lover
Love like a son, love like a brother
And love for one God cause there is no other
HASHEM Elokeinu HASHEM Echad
Love being part of the ocean of God
To which all return, from which all came
Eternal One known by many different names
Allowing the freedom of life to arise
Like drops of water fly through the sky
And after we die returning our soul
To the endless sea of the Universal Whole
If you’re from Earth underneath the sun
Or you an alien, no matter what planet you’re from
When your life ends and it’s all said and done
You don’t exist you’re just part of the One
But don’t feel bad, it’s not just you
Everything else is part of One too
You and I have been One right from the start
So I love you from the bottom of my heart
I got nothing but love for another
Love all my friends, love for my lover
Love like a son, love like a brother
And love for one God cause there is no other
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7. |
Life
04:46
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Focus on what’s there, not on what there wasn’t
What happens, happens, and what doesn’t happen doesn’t
Love your fellow woman and love your fellow man
And remember, always live your life the best that you can
When it’s raining, skies are gray and your feeling bad
Think for a minute about what’s making you sad
You might be short on money, what’s that really worth
All the money in the world couldn’t buy you birth
In a race of millions you’re the only sperm that scored
You passed the hardest test already, life was your reward
Stop feeling down and out and start having a ball
Because being alive is the greatest gift of all
You can sing and dance you can eat and drink
You can run, jump, learn, sleep, walk, talk, or think.
So cheer up smile, laugh away your sorrow
Today it might be raining but the sun will shine tomorrow
And focus on what’s there, not on what there wasn’t
What happens, happens, and what doesn’t happen doesn’t
Love your fellow woman and love your fellow man
And remember, always live your life the best that you can
Some folks complain when it's raining sleet
Then they moan and they groan in the summer's heat
But you're alive, who cares if its could or hot?
Just try and be grateful for all that you got
Thank G-d you have food, cause some people don’t
Thank G-d your getting educated, some people won’t
Thank G-d you can see, some people are blind
And thank G-d for all of the friends that you find
Thank G-d for the weekend, to snap the daily grind
Thank G-d you can sleep each night and rest your mind
Thank G-d for the books of Moses, one through five
But most of all, Thank G-d you’re alive
And focus on what’s there, not on what there wasn’t
What happens, happens, and what doesn’t happen doesn’t
Love your fellow woman and love your fellow man
And remember, always live your life the best that you can
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8. |
Ki L'Olam Chasdo
04:57
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9. |
Garden Of Eden
05:18
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10. |
Ten Plagues
05:06
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11. |
Miriam
05:43
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We once were enslaved but now we’re saved
Oppression was washed away with a wave
Our family and we are finally free
Let dance like Miriam at the Red Sea
Dance like Miriam at the Red Sea
Dance like Miriam at the Red Sea
Dance like Miriam at the Red Sea
Dance like Miriam at the Red Sea
Close your eyes and try to pretend
You fled from a life of slavery and then
Made it to freedom with thousands of friends
The young and the old and the women and men
Never going to see Pharaoh’s face again
So let down your guard no need to defend
Play on your drum you got time to spend
Now dance like Miriam, set the trend
Move your feet let me see you bend
And work your body from end to end
But don’t get down let your mind ascend
All praises to the Most High, Amen
We once were enslaved but now we’re saved
Oppression was washed away with a wave
Our family and we are finally free
Let dance like Miriam at the Red Sea
Dance like Miriam at the Red Sea
Dance like Miriam at the Red Sea
Dance like Miriam at the Red Sea
Dance like Miriam at the Red Sea
Never forget how it was before
Forced into slavery we did every chore
Our burden was big but they piled on more
And worked us until we were tired and sore
After ten plagues they showed us the door
But Pharaoh’s heart was hard to the core
His army pursued us ready for war
With chariot, horse, and sharpened sword
But now they sleep on the ocean’s floor
For they were sunk by the hand of The Lord
Dance and sing let the praises pour
From your lips out on the seashore
We once were enslaved but now we’re saved
Oppression was washed away with a wave
Our family and we are finally free
Let dance like Miriam at the Red Sea
Dance like Miriam at the Red Sea
Dance like Miriam at the Red Sea
Dance like Miriam at the Red Sea
Dance like Miriam at the Red Sea
Move your feet start kicking up sand
Clap those hand we don’t need no band
Bang on the drums and sing and dance
We’re here and we’re free and that’s a slim chance
Escaped from the most narrow place
Between a rock and the Pharaoh’s face
His army pursued, but the wind it blew
The waters split and we passed right through
And when we arrived on the other side
The water returned and His army died
So dance and cheer cause we’re in the clear
First time we’re free in four hundred years
We once were enslaved but now we’re saved
Oppression was washed away with a wave
Our family and we are finally free
Let dance like Miriam at the Red Sea
Dance like Miriam at the Red Sea
Dance like Miriam at the Red Sea
Dance like Miriam at the Red Sea
Dance like Miriam at the Red Sea
The bodies of those who came to make war
Against us, washed up dead on the shore
Our people could barely believe their eyes
They laughed and cried they were so surprised
A queen Miriam stepped on the scene
The prophetess picked up her tambourine
She began to dance, all the woman came
They followed with drums and they did the same
The sons of Israel burst into song
Together six hundred thousand strong
They praised the One Who Shall Always Be
For setting us free on the shore of the sea
We once were enslaved but now we’re saved
Oppression was washed away with a wave
Our family and we are finally free
Let dance like Miriam at the Red Sea
Dance like Miriam at the Red Sea
Dance like Miriam at the Red Sea
Dance like Miriam at the Red Sea
Dance like Miriam at the Red Sea
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12. |
King Solomon
06:58
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I’m king Solomon, David’s son
My wisdom was second to none
I loved the Lord with heart and mind
Offered praise a thousand times
In Jerusalem I reigned
Spoke proverbs to all who came
I had almost everything
For forty years I was the king
I was anointed by decree
My father passed his throne to me
The kingdom came into my hand
And there was peace throughout the land
One night while sleeping in my bed
I dreamt God came to me and said
“What is it you wish to achieve
Ask me and you shall receive”
I said, “You’ve been so kind me
You made me king by Your decree
Thank You Lord for what you did
But I’m still just a little kid
So much to do, where should I start?
Give me a discerning heart
Then for Your people I will tell
Right from wrong and govern well”
God was pleased and so He said
“You ask Me for wisdom instead
Of seeking something for yourself
Like longer life and lots of wealth
So I will give wisdom to you
With great riches and glory too
And if you walk in all my ways
Then you shall live for many days”
And God let me understand
More than every grain of sand
Far wiser than any man
My fame spread through out the land
Three thousand proverbs along
With over a thousand songs
I spoke of every tree and plant
And beast and bird and fish and ant
I’m king Solomon, David’s son
My wisdom was second to none
I loved the Lord with heart and mind
And offered praise a thousand times
Up in Jerusalem I reigned
Teling proverbs to all who came
And I had almost everything
For forty years I was the king
Before my court two women came
Each of them had a different claim
One of the women said to me
“I just gave birth and so did she
In the same house, there was no one
But me and her and our two sons
During the night her son died
So she took my son from my side
Then put her dead son next to me
And in the morning I could see
The child was dead but I am sure
That he was not the son I bore”
“No!” the second woman said
“My son’s alive and yours is dead”
“No!” the first woman replied
“My son lives and your son died”
I spoke to them, “You both have said
‘My son lives and your son’s dead’
So let’s just cut the child in two
And give one half to each of you”
The one whose son was alive
Had compassion and she cried
“I can’t bear to see him dead
Give the child to her instead”
The other said, “Not me or you
Will have the child, cut him in two”
And I immediately knew
Between the women who was who
All of Israel was in awe
They saw how I laid down the law
Everyone who heard could see
That God’s wisdom was with me
I’m king Solomon, David’s son
My wisdom was second to none
I loved the Lord with heart and mind
And offered praise a thousand times
Up in Jerusalem I reigned
Teling proverbs to all who came
And I had almost everything
For forty years I was the king
For me God always did provide
The land had peace on every side
Free from war I dropped my sword
And built a temple for the Lord
I sent ten thousand men by sea
To Lebanon for cedar trees
I put my slaves to work for God
It took them all to do the job
Each block of rock was pre-carved
Before it reached the temple’s yard
Eighty thousand cut the stones
Seventy thousand hauled them home
With work of many hands and feet
The Lord’s temple was complete
Ninety feet from wall to wall
Thirty wide, forty-five tall
From the ceiling to the floor
I paneled it with cedar boards
And the Most Holy Place to hold
The Ark I overlaid with gold
It took seven years at least
And then I offered God a feast
Over twenty thousand ox
Six times that many from my flocks
The temple’s altar was too small
It couldn’t nearly hold them all
There was no room inside, I led
The people to the yard instead
All of Israel came through
Syria and Egypt too
Before the Lord the people praised
And celebrated fourteen days
I’m king Solomon, David’s son
My wisdom was second to none
I loved the Lord with heart and mind
And offered praise a thousand times
Up in Jerusalem I reigned
Teling proverbs to all who came
And I had almost everything
For forty years I was the king
My throne was something to behold
Of ivory and the finest gold
A dozen lions stood to meet
All who stepped up to my feet
I commanded combat forces
Over twelve thousand horses
Fourteen hundred chariots
All sorts of military shit
A navy was built for me
They sailed upon the Red Sea
Returning with all they could hold
Thirty thousand pounds of gold
And every king of earth who heard
About my wisdom sought my word
The whole world came to hear
And brought me gifts year after year
People came from all around
I needed twenty thousand pounds
Of flour just to make the bread
Everyday to keep them fed
Was like all they could eat buffet
I slaughtered thirty cows a day
A hundred sheep from my herds
On top deer, gazelle, and birds
I built a palace in the woods
Of Lebanon, I had it good
Every cup I owned was gold
Like everything in my household
Silver I just threw away
It was worthless in my day
When I sat upon the throne
Silver sat around like stone
I’m king Solomon, David’s son
My wisdom was second to none
I loved the Lord with heart and mind
And offered praise a thousand times
Up in Jerusalem I reigned
Teling proverbs to all who came
And I had almost everything
For forty years I was the king
The queen of Sheba heard the fame
I had attained in God’s name
But this woman was not the type
To just believe in all the hype
She tried to stump me when she came
But all she asked I could explain
And after I had passed her test
Then I received her very best
Precious stones and gold were nice
But more exquisite was her spice
I gave her all for which she yearned
Then to her homeland she returned
Pharaoh’s daughter was my wife
One of the many in my life
I married seven hundred times
And had three hundred Concubines
But my wives led me astray
From the Lord I turned away
I built temples so they could pray
To strange gods, and I would pay
Away from God my heart had turned
The anger of the Lord burned
He said, “Because of what you’ve done
I’ll tear the kingdom from your son”
And then God lifted up my foes
All my enemies arose
From Syria down to Edom
Even a servant from my home
Rebelled, I knew he was the one
Who’d tear the kingdom from my son
I tried to kill him but he fled
And hid from me til I was dead
I’m king Solomon, David’s son
My wisdom was second to none
But my wives led me astray
And from the Lord I turned away
In Jerusalem I died
Buried by my father’s side
I had almost everything
For forty years I was the king
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13. |
Shepherds (Ezekiel 34)
05:07
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14. |
Psalm 140
02:04
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15. |
Seeds
04:54
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16. |
Israel Apartheid
05:25
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People say Israel’s an Apartheid state
But I can’t relate to that baseless hate
It’s not really fair to try and compare
A racist regime with the war on terror
Using common sense against violence
Israel had to build up the border fence
And if you think that’s Apartheid it’s because
You don’t know what Apartheid really was
For two thousand years the Jews all roamed
But we always called Israel our home
Unlike the British and Dutch who came
To South Africa where they had no claim
They already had countries overseas
But they wanted to expand to new colonies
So they conquered the natives, bought and sold
That land they stole full of diamonds and gold
The whites united and decided to create
South Africa, as a democratic state
But soon they denied blacks voting rights
So the whole government was controlled by whites
The House and the Senate and all of the courts
Were white so the black people got no support
Plus the police would arrest, and beat
Any peaceful protesters in the street
They split everybody into four different races
And moved them by force into separate places
If you were Indian, black, or brown
You had no business in a white town
They had segregation of transportation
Buses, bus stops, trains and train stations
Separate ambulance, different doctor and nurse
And the black hospitals were always worse
Restaurants, hotels, and the public park
Might be off limits if your skin was dark
It was crime and you could get more than a fine
If you crossed the line of that “Whites Only” sign
They had separate teachers at different schools
Black and white beaches and swimming pools
Cafes and movies theaters wouldn’t let folks in
Discriminating if they had the wrong color skin
No mixed marriage, it was a criminal act
For a white person to have sex with a black
Apartheid went from the womb til the tomb
Couldn’t even take dump in the same bathroom
People say Israel’s an Apartheid state
But I can’t relate to that baseless hate
It’s not really fair to try and compare
A racist regime with the war on terror
Using common sense against violence
Israel had to build up the border fence
And if you think that’s Apartheid it’s because
You don’t know what Apartheid really was
In Israel, Apartheid is not the case
Cause regardless of gender, religion, or race
All Israeli citizens black, brown, and white
Have equal social and political rights
So the Arab Israeli Population
Which makes up twenty percent of the nation
Might be a minority but at least
They can vote, unlike the rest of the Middle East
Look at the whole region you’ll see only
Israel is truly a democracy
Every citizen’s right to vote is protected
And Arab officials often get elected
That’s an important point, let me stress it
There’s a dozen Arabs, with seats in the Knesset
Plus an Arab Judge on the Supreme Court
So they don’t fall short on government support
Everyone has access to the same schools
The same beaches and the same swimming pools
The same resorts and hotel guestrooms
Same public parks and public restrooms
The same cinemas, restaurants, and cafes
Same trains, buses, taxis, and highways
Same doctors, and nurses, all deliveries
Of babies are done in the same facilities
Arab Israeli life expectancy’s great
Up by Twenty seven years since nineteen forty-eight
And their infant mortality rate has declined
From thirty-two per thousand to less than nine
And they’re doing much better economically
Relative to every other Arab country
There’s no restrictions on choice of career
They’re welcome in the military if they volunteer
They can work and reside wherever they please
From Eilat all the way to the sea of Galilee
They live in the very same cities as Jews
On the same street in the same house if the choose
So people say Israel’s an Apartheid state
But I can’t relate to that baseless hate
It’s not really fair to try and compare
A racist regime with the war on terror
Using common sense against violence
Israel had to build up the border fence
And if you think that’s Apartheid it’s because
You don’t know what Apartheid really was
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17. |
Boycott Israel
06:07
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Boycott Israel, if you think that’s just
But unless you have a double standard you must
Also boycott the rest of the nations
With allegations of human rights violations
We’re not perfect but if you think we’re the worst
First take a look at the rest of the earth
Don’t pick and choose to pick on the Jews
Pick up the paper and read the news
Boycott North Korea I don’t think you’ll see a
Country in the world that could be un-freer
Boycott China, let’s not forget
That they stole the whole country of Tibet
Boycott Japan slaughtering thousands
Of helpless innocent whales and dolphins
Boycott Vietnam where they choose to use
Drug addicts as slave to shell cashews
Boycott Cambodia, grabbing up land
Five million acres from the poor man’s hand
Boycott Thailand for shutting the door
And deporting refugees back to the war
Boycott Burma, don’t let your cash slip
Into the grip of that military dictatorship
Boycott India, women can’t escape
When the government officials are guilty of rape
Boycott Pakistan, crazy country
Where they execute people for blasphemy
And boycott Afghanistan opium land
Where poppy fields stand in the Taliban’s hand
And boycott Israel, if you think that’s just
But unless you have a double standard you must
Also boycott the rest of the nations
With allegations of human rights violations
We’re not perfect but if you think we’re the worst
First take a look at the rest of the earth
Don’t pick and choose to pick on the Jews
Pick up the paper and read the news
Boycott Syria their government’s killing
Thousands of innocent, unarmed, civilians
Boycott Iraq make them change the laws
That lock up and torture people without cause
Boycott Iran with the greatest rate
Of execution out of every other state
Boycott Turkey because they’ve always denied
And lied about the Armenian Genocide
Boycott Turkmenistan, where the only media
That you ever see is what the president’ll feed to ya
Boycott Uzbekistan, government’s rotten
Enslaving children to harvest cotton
Boycott Russia because every year
More Muslims mysteriously disappear
Boycott Ukraine, where the politicians
Lock up the opposition, so there’s no competition
Boycott Belarus, president’s got to go
You know those elections are just for show
And boycott Germany, cause there’s no reparation
For murdering half the Jewish population
And boycott Israel, if you think that’s just
But unless you have a double standard you must
Also boycott the rest of the nations
With allegations of human rights violations
Not perfect but if you think we’re the worst
First take a look at the rest of the earth
Don’t pick and choose to pick on the Jews
Pick up the paper and read the news
Boycott Sudan, the Darfur genocide
Where hundreds of thousands have already died
Boycott Egypt and don’t let that narrow
Minded president keep acting like Pharaoh
Boycott Saudi Arabian oppression
Of women getting beat up, treated like possessions
Boycott Bahrain police brutality
Against the Shi’ites by the Sunni Monarchy
Boycott Yemen make them stop the obscene
Execution of juveniles under eighteen
Boycott Eritrea national slavery
Where they work for free indefinitely
Boycott the Congo, doing terrible things
To sell blood diamond engagement rings
Boycott Zimbabwe you’ll find all kinds
Of torture behind those government mines
Boycott South Africa, make them pay
For the hundreds of women raped everyday
Boycott Ivory Coast, sound the alarm
There’s thousands of slaves on those cocoa farms
And boycott Israel, if you think that’s just
But unless you have a double standard you must
Also boycott the rest of the nations
With allegations of human rights violations
We’re not perfect but if you think we’re the worst
First take a look at the rest of the earth
Don’t pick and choose to pick on the Jews
Pick up the paper and read the news
Boycott Chile because they deny
Abortions even if the mother will die
And boycott Brazil where the brutal police
Kill thousands of people to keep the peace
Boycott Venezuela closer inspection
Shows that the socialists stole the election
Boycott Colombia, putting out the lights
Of anyone who fights for union rights
Boycott Ecuador for stealing the lands
Of indigenous people for their corporate plans
And boycott Costa Rica where they’ve applied
So much pesticide, that hundreds have died
Boycott Honduras where a journalist
Gets shot if he writes anything like this
Boycott Mexico in the war on drugs
The military acts like the cartel thugs
Boycott the USA make them pay
For torturing people in Guantanamo bay
And boycott Cuba, but if the government hears
You criticize them, you’ll be locked up for years
Boycott Israel, if you think that’s just
But unless you have double standard you must
Also boycott the rest of the nations
With allegations of human rights violations
We’re not perfect but if you think we’re the worst
First take a look at the rest of the earth
Don’t pick and choose to pick on the Jews
Pick up the paper and read the news
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Ari Lesser Cleveland
Ari Lesser is a singer, songwriter, rapper, and spoken word artist from Cleveland, Ohio. He has performed all over the world, and written hundreds of songs on a wide range of subjects. Ari’s repertoire is expansive, touching on everything from history, to animals, to Star Wars, but now his focus and passion is making music based on the Torah. ... more
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