Oh Dark Continent
by Kumkum RamchandaniI lived in your darknessSwirled in the empty riversFelt the despair of mothersThe crying of infantsYour desperate barenessLike a mother with no milkIn her hanging teatsCrying children hungry for loveYour men have soulless eyesWith no hope in their bonesWith no lilt in their stepsWith no life in their heartsYou come aliveIn the dark nightsWith juju music and Fela KutiSinging of dissentIn the dawn of dayThe hopelessness returnsThe sweat of despairThe stench of rottennessCorruption, deceit and greedRule the daily grindThe mewling of hungry childrenBecomes the rhythm of lifeYou eat bread and yamOpen tins of sardinesDrink water crawling with wormsDogs die with crusted eyesOh dark continentWhen will salvation come?When will the waters gush again?When will the birds sing?
