When church and state were one and right belief required,
When people worshipped only as the king desired,
When all had to conform and heresy was banned,
When every knee must bow before the law’s command,
What did it take to be Roger Williams?

When Boston offered him a safe and easy post
To preach within its church and be a gracious host,
When all he had to do was sign away his mind
And keep a silent tongue on questions he might find,
What did it take to be Roger Williams?

When called before the court for failure to conform,
And driven from his home into the winter storm,
When only native help allowed him to survive
So he could start anew and keep his hope alive,
What did it take to be Roger Williams?

When people looked to him to lead a new-made town,
A place where differing thoughts would not keep any down,
When he said government should not take any part
In matters of the church, and took that rule to heart,
What did it take to be Roger Williams?

When war came to his town and his old friends turned foe
And burned all that he’d built, and yet he did not go
But tried to make a peace, though it was quickly plain
The battles would not end and many would be slain,
What did it take to be Roger Williams?

Today when we are free to choose a church or none,
Or speak against the crimes our government has done,
When someone fights against the grabbing of their land
Or publishes a book that tyrants would have banned,
We can look back and see Roger Williams.