Holocaust Camp Song

Separated from the world by barbed wire, We’re rounded up from everywhere The longing woven into our hearts, Throbs like a ringing bell. You with the striped rag on your back, Could you forget who you are—and where? They stitched a number to your breast, A red triangle and the letter “P”. And your shaved head reminds you, Of your burden of sins unknown, And you yearn for the day When your will and your purpose return. Neither stars nor sun bring you happiness, Neither day nor night yields joy. You stand and wait, dressed in stripes and shaved bare; With thousands of others like you. The words of this song are stained with our blood, Within them are sorrow and grief, Yet your camp song will carry beyond these barbed wires To a distant place unknown to you. Yet your camp song will carry beyond these barbed wires To a distant place unknown to you.