| I own I am shocked at the purchase of slaves | 
| And fear those who buy them and sell them are knaves | 
| What I hear of their hardships, their tortures, and groans | 
| It’s almost enough to draw pity from stones | 
| I pity them greatly, but I must be mum | 
| For how could we do without sugar and rum? | 
| Especially sugar, so needful we see? | 
| What? | 
| Give up our desserts, our coffee, and tea?! | 
| Besides, if we do, the French, Dutch, and Danes | 
| Will heartily thank us, no doubt, for our pains | 
| If we do not buy the poor creatures, they will | 
| And tortures and groans will be multiplied still | 
| I own I am shocked at prisoners in the mines | 
| And kids sewing clothes for our most famous lines | 
| What I hear of their wages seems slavery indeed | 
| It’s enough that I fear it’s all rooted in greed | 
| I pity them greatly, but I must be mum | 
| For what about nickel, cobalt, lithium? | 
| The garments we wear, the electronics we own? | 
| What? | 
| Give up our tablets, our laptops, and phones?! | 
| Besides, if we do, the prices will soar | 
| And who could afford to pay one dollar more? | 
| Sitting here typing it seems well worth the price | 
| And you there, listening on your favorite device | 
| This bargain we’re in, well, it’s not quite illicit | 
| So relax, my friend, we’re not all complicit |