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.