Gabriel of Sedona
THE FREEDOM SONG
(including Ogoni lyrics and translations)
"A tribute to Ken Saro-Wiwa, the people of Nigeria, and freedom fighters of
the world."
Throughout the sad history the braveheart stood in the way
Of the noble lords in pompous dress who had the evil say
Counterpoint: OGANI (Village/tribe)
KUWAMBÉ (Beautiful Music)
And all the families of the meek who seek-to live in love, in peace
Cannot keep what belongs to them-the nobles want their fleece
And those that know the pain and loss from those who rule in sin
Must join together hand in hand until all justice wins
And I see the spark of freedom in their eye
And I see the spark of freedom in their eye
Yes, I see the hope of freedom in their eye
Yes, I see the Light of freedom in their eye
Jumbé
Counterpoint: YEKE (freedom)
Ken Saro-Wiwa, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Ken Saro-Wiwa
Oh Wiwa, Oh Wiwa
Jumbé Saro-Wiwa
Counterpoint: OMO OLUWA TI JI DIDE OSE
(the Son of God Rising)
Ah - Ah - Ah - Ah - Ah
Jumbé (Chief)
And good men run the gauntlet to try the righteous rule
While others of the lesser code make them out a fool
And those that have the power can wear the whitest robes
While the meek and truly humble can only sing life's Odes
And I see the spark of freedom in their eye
And I see the spark of freedom in their eye
Yes, I see the hope of freedom in their eye
Yes, I see the Light of freedom in their eye
Jumbé
Ken Saro-Wiwa, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Ken Saro-Wiwa
Oh Wiwa, Oh Wiwa
Jumbé Saro-Wiwa
A Thank-You in Swahili to Ken Saro-Wiwa:
asante mjomba mungu kumekucha
asante = thank you
mjomba = messenger
mungu = [of] God
kumekucha = the Son has risen
Ken Saro-Wiwa was a freedom fighter who was executed by the Nigerian
government. The term Jumbé means "Chief" in Nigerian.
