Freedom in the liberal city was not free

It cost blood

It collected sweat

Tears were held back on Pearl Street

When they built the Wall, since the natives stayed restless

When they smoothed the marble for the Federal Hall, since the Bill of Rights needed to oppress for the growth of profit

As the Meal Market churned

The winding street straightened into grids

The sugar canes purified into rum

Then the bill came due, and the Dutch had to pay it all

The few, the proud, in the Village

d'Angola

Big Manuel

Little Manuel

de Gerrit de Reus

Congo

Portuguese

Garcia

Santome

Francisco

Fort Orange

Little Anthony

Eleven that escaped Pier 17

Land now scaled at 130 acres

A half freedom is taken 40 years too late

A half freedom exposed by The Duke of York as a full lie

The saga of Gotham continues

New slaves, old waves

Renegotiate?

Not today