Lyrics

Yuki Okinaga Hayakawa was just a little girl
In a great big world that suddenly was closing in
Her mama said Yuki, pack a few things, we’re going away for a while
But I don’t know where and I don’t know how long we’ll be gone

You can take your pretty purse, and look, I bought you some brand new boots
Well, they’re just like mine, gonna leave these old ones behind
Gonna take a train like the one in that book that you love
But I don’t know where, and I don’t know how long we’ll be gone

Sometimes, child, things are hard to explain
People don’t always do what’s right
Funny how fear can poison perceptions
And Yuki, always be proud of who you are
They tell me our new home is called Manzanar

Yuki grabbed her mother’s leg as they walked into the room
With six complete strangers, a face of uncertainty and danger
Some cots, straw-stuffed mattresses, blankets and an oil stove
And a single light bulb, swinging from the breeze through the floorboards

Sometimes, child, things are hard to explain
People don’t always do what’s right
We’ve got to be strong, and just hold on to each other And Yuki, always be proud of who you are
Someday we’ll walk away from Manzanar

We’ve got to be strong, and just hold on to each other
And Yuki, someday you’ll go far
Past the barbed wire fences of Manzanar