The ghost of Martin Niemöller Haunts the halls of history When they came for the communists He said “It’s nothing to do with me”

When they came for the democrats He had nothing to say And when they came for the Jews He just looked the other way

His silence didn’t save him When they came for him as well There was no one to speak out for him Resistance had been quelled

What excuses would you tell yourself If this ever happened to you? Well I live in a city of heroes I know what I would do

When they came for the immigrants I got in their face When they came for the refugees I got in their face When they came for the five-year-olds I got in their face When they came to my neighbourhood I just got in their face

They use tear gas and pepper spray Against our whistles and our phones But in this city of heroes We will protect our home

When they dragged people from their cars I got in their face When they took families from their homes I got in their face When they murdered our sister I got in their face When they murdered our brother I still got in their face

In Dachau Martin Niemöller Suffered for his complicity But in this city of heroes We learn the lessons of history

I will bear witness to terror I will bear witness to tyranny I will bear witness to murder I will bear witness to fascism

Words and Music by Billy Bragg