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.