Lyrics

?In Santo Tomas?
By :Beth Mullaney
Written in 1995 to commemorate 50 years of freedom


I?ve known of you since I first looked in a photo in a memory book
And through the pages I soon learned of Americans who were interned
Surviving hardship brave and strong
Through days endured and nights so long.

* Now 50 years have passed since then, the day that you were freed
The flag flew high and prayers were cried on bended knee
And generations now have grown from healing seeds that have been sewn
In the lives of those who lived the gains and loss
Through days and weeks and months and years
In Santo Tomas

Now other children?s songs were nice, but me, well I learned ?planting rice?
Counted ten in Japanese and pictured vivid memories
Shared slowly first, then more with time
Your memories now are part of mine *

Now I am proud to be a part of healing words and healing hearts?
To share the joy your laughter brings
The stories shared, the songs you sing
Common threads in common lives
From freedom found in ?45

Now 50 years have passed since then, the day that you were freed
The flag flew high and prayers were cried on bended knee
And generations now have grown from healing seeds that have been sewn
In the lives of those who lived the gains and loss
From days and weeks, and months and years in Santo Tomas.

Planting rice is never fun. Bend from morn ?til setting sun.
Cannot stand and cannot sit. Cannot rest a little bit.
Planting rice is no fun. Bend from morn ?til setting sun.
Cannot stand. Cannot sit. Cannot rest a little bit.