Neda
One morning, she sees her image
in the mirror, lifeless, one who hadn't lived but
was only breathing, she turns on the TV, how is it possible
streets are flooded with people, men and women, young and old
demanding their vote, time had arrived for justice, it was
injustice that was bound to go.
Her mother's warning,have all these deaths brought us any change?
What happened to those in prison? Does anyone know
their pain, or bother to ask their name? Nothing will change,
demanding your rights? It's only mentioned in books, all is vain.
But Neda2 hears a calling, the streets are roaring:
This is your day Neda, the day they'll celebrate your
wedding, the day you conceive the Messiah of Death,
virgin Neda, Amir Abad3 is thirsty for your blood
the groom is the bullets, the bridal chamber your casket.
God see how your sanctity's broken?
your virgin Mary's shot
these savages are ruling,
God see how worthless human lives are?
What were you trying to say by your gaze4 Neda?
I will not silence my voice Neda
your blood runs through every alley
every street's marked by your blood
Sleep! close your eyes, you no longer
have to fear tomorrows, sleep for as long as
we are awake we will echo your name
in the streets.
Take your hands off her chest, No! she will not stop
bleeding! This blood has been gushing out for
a thousand years, this is not Neda's blood, this is the
blood of Iran, our lonely land, the land without a coffin
the land that exiled us, with its self-resenting rulers
how can they show Neda mercy?
I don't rely on ifs and maybes anymore,
I will demand my rights
JUSTICE is here to say, it's injustice that's
bound to go, and until our rights are given,
THIS UPROAR WILL CONTINUE DAY AND NIGHT
1. "Neda" is Najafi's response to the violent crackdown on protesters after the June 2009 elections in Iran. It is dedicated to Neda Agha-Soltan, whose tragic death received international attention.
2. Neda in Persian means "calling" and "voice."
3. Amir Abad is the district in Tehran where Neda was killed.
4. During her final moments, Neda was looking directly at the protesters' cameras.