Songs of My People

Song of My People

Some people think we're dumb,
Because we spend lives sleeping, forever sleeping,
Our flock they invade, suck milk;
And invite hunger and engisa,
Our men they conscript,
Lure them with nothings:
To glorify, and their songs sing--
Under our roof!

Because we spend lives sleeping, forever sleeping:
To many a merchant we're traded--
Gunpower for coalition canons;
Merceneries to fight alien wars,
Used and dumped-- like tissue paper,
Whilst with us our men plead,
To harden hearts like termite in the soil!

Teachings of alien gods,
From sacred shrines drew us;
Wherein children of mulembe:
Gathered for libations--
Then emptied pots of busaa,
And brought down hills of ugali and chicken...

What befell our land, my people,
Has ruined us!
We've outlived Elijah's prophecy--
Leadership in the house of Mwambu,
Shall from lake Nam Lolwe come,
So ashore, we gaze, forever gaze,
The gourd to speak again?

Our brain we soak in ignorance,
Leave our roof falling,
To seek refuge in neighbours' bungalow-- forever!
And allow our hosts shield their wicked selves,
With our blesseth name:
Against the world's wrath--
More sinned against!

Aren't our balls big enough to fill palms,
Thus give us courage to speak our mind?

Those who think we're dumb,
Because we spend lives sleeping, forever sleeping,
Should confirm their sanity.
The rain has beaten us--
Washing our eyes clear;
The rain has beaten us--
Away carrying our fortune...

Soon our house shall re-organize,
Summon back its prodigals,
To Elijah, Wachie, Walumoli, Mwambu...
Slaughter sheep to appease,
Thus settle our internal feuds--
Buying back brotherhood...

We shall stand strong,
Like a boy facing the knife,
Confront Goliaths herein,
Thus claim our pie...

We are also children of this soil;
We are also children of Our Father!

(c) wafula p'khisa