In 1956 we began a quest
Wanted to be free, just like the West
We fought against the communists, the Reds
We wanted Hungary free from domination by the soviets

An innocent beginning on October twenty-third
But it turned into an event the whole world heard
We challenged the authority of the communist system
Revolution broke out, we wanted to change that system

Two glorious weeks, hard fought fights
We have restored Hungary’s basic rights
We wanted to be a neutral nation
Haven't heard encouragements, just condemnations

Nobody came to join us in our celebration
When for these few days we experienced liberation
They stayed away then too, when the army of the Soviet Union
brutally destroyed our quest for freedom, defeated the revolution

The revolution defeated, destruction of those followed who participated
"No-one gets hurt, none will be punished" propagandized the communist
We know better now, we watched it in horror
As the brutal system took its terrible toll

It was at this time I escaped to America, to Buffalo
No chance to stay home without accepting an invitation to the gallows
Hundreds were executed, tens of thousands died fighting
Hundreds of thousands emigrated; no one knows the number of deported, still dying

It took 30 years, then some
And suddenly the communist party dissolved
their re-organized to such an extent
That they declared themselves non-existent

It wasn't as swift or simple as it seemed
It cost the life of thousands - men, women and teens
The country suffered for 3 decades, and some
Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, waiting for their loved ones.

Waiting, more and more impatiently as the time went by
More than 3 decades is a big chunk of a lifetime
"Come home my son, called my family.
Come home, the communists are not what they used to be"

I had a chance for a visit, I took the first opportunity
the Berlin wall was gone, it's nothing now; just bad memory
my country is free at last, free Hungary
But my mother still hasn't forgiven me

But suddenly the other day, a letter came,
Words written with her trembling hand, say:
"I saw the films of that great revolution for the first time
I also saw the executions, the brutalities, the past 3 decades were lies
Wh how grateful I am to my fate, that you decided to emigrate.

Oh I cried I cursed the day when you decided to participate
But all my suffering, all my sleepless nights
Nothing compares to when you took up the fight
You earned your freedom but your reward was nothing but flight

Oh my son, my "cursed defector" my hero now
Without you and the others, there wouldn't t be freedom such as now
I always badgered you before, to come home,
You can stay - or you can come home the decision is yours, alone.

I can't chide you anymore
I want to give your freedom back as you have given me mine
I still see the terrible images of this admission
Thousands like you have gone to the final mission

You, who escaped, you're still alive and have your family,
you have a home other than parcel 301, in the cemetery
My journeys to you in my prayers and dreams
Created tears, enough to fill some streams

You are alive, you're free to come and go as you please
I'll give you back your freedom, I forgive all, I give back your peace
I know now, you didn't just leave me for lack of love
You just continued your fight; you were not on an adventure in search for paradise

You knew way back then in your heart,
You were ready for the ultimate sacrifice
Freedom won't be easy to gain,
You knew it would take some sacrifice and some life

It's not fair to say, I am glad it was others
Who sacrificed their life, they can't visit their mothers, they're not alive
I finally know you after your brief visit"
You would have given your life so others wouldn't have to visit

I was free ever since I crossed the border
I arrived here and started to prosper
Married now with a wife and 2 wonderful children
my mother held me back, her warnings still linger

"Leave if you must but don't go too far
Your place is back here with us
You come back when the reds are no longer with us
We expect you back, your brothers, sister and us"

It took 34 years and 2 hours of a TV show
For her to realize I "had" no tomorrow.
She finally admitted: "you are free at last,
You're better off in the U.S., than home, dead".