Story Behind the Song
Written on the plane back from volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity, contemplating the voiceless "working poor."
Lyrics
SET THEM FREE
Greg Osterberg, © 2000
No one wants to know this,
But its got to be said.
Its the truth that you suspected,
No, its not all in your head.
Its a dirty little secret, used to keep us all misled:
There are children locked in factories,
No, slavery isnt dead!
(CHORUS)
Set them free, set them free
Open up the factory
Set them free, set them free
Open up the factory
Set them free, set them free
Theyre depending on you and me
Her 14th birthday came & went
While she worked a 12 hr. day.
For seven days a week,
and 20 cents an hr. her pay.
Its all about cheap clothing,
Brand Name labels cut the cost -
To get that bargain price, a
Thousand childhoods are lost!
(CHORUS)
Set them free, set them free
Open up the factory
Set them free, set them free
Open up the factory
Set them free, set them free
Theyre depending on you and me
Big Labels couldnt do it here,
So they shipped it all off-shore.
In sweatshops ruled by fear
The Boss is screamn out for more.
Theres a gap in child protection
The eagles fallen from the air
An old navys in the harbor, but
Its a slave ship anchored there!
(CHORUS)
(REPEAT VERSE ONE)
Set them free, set them free
Open up the factory
Set them free, set them free
Open up the factory
Set them free, set them free
Were talkin bout dignity
Set them free, set them free
Theyre depending on you and me
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