Martin Niemöller's Lament (Remembered on the Occasion of the Democratic National Convention)

In the 30’s, in Germany,
when they came for the Communists,
I didn’t speak up
because I wasn’t a Communist.

Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak up
because I wasn’t a Jew.

Then they came for the trade-unionists,
and I didn’t speak up
because I wasn’t a trade-unionist.

Then they came for the Catholics
and I didn’t speak up
because I was a Protestant.

Then they came for me,
but by that time
there was no one left
to speak up.