take me from these earth bound chains i must find it once again meaning of equality we will never hide in shame but forever guard the flame burning for eternity hundreds of nights oh my body cries a trail of tears promises sometimes don t keep freedom put to sleep and now i know written with the words you tell stories a lesson in life from long ago hundreds of nights oh my body cries a trail of tears hold on hold dear the time is near when you ll know why the spirit flies hundreds of nights oh my body cries a trail of tears  children carried on your back driven through the wind and cold how have you become so few in the end oh i will see your spiritual liberty forever to be with you hundreds of nights oh my body cries a trail of tears the spirit flies hundreds of nights oh my body cries a trail of tears hold on hold dear the time is near when you ll know why the spirit flies 