African Before The Cities · English / Yorùbá
Dance of the Ancestors
A ceremonial invocation where the living and the dead move as one body.
Lyrics
Elder Voice (spoken):
"In the beginning…
Africa danced before she spoke…"
Choir (softly):
Eh-yahh… eh-yahh…
Africa… Africa…
When the moonlight touches the village square
Children laughing, dust inside the air
Grandmama singing stories by the fire
Drums calling spirits higher and higher
From the mountains down to the river Nile
Every heartbeat carries ancient style
Feet on the earth, hands to the sky
We dance so the culture never dies
Ibibio Chant:
"Ami mma ndom, ami mma ikwo"
(I am the beauty of life, I am the beauty of dance)
Efik Response:
"Eyen Africa ọwọrọ ke idem"
(Children of Africa, rise in strength)
The talking drum begins to speak
Calling the strong, awakening the weak
Ancestors moving through the flame
Every generation knows the name
Dance! Dance of the ancestors!
Move! Move with the spirits now!
Choir Response:
Eh-heyy! Eh-heyy!
Africa never dies!
Lead:
Dance! Rhythm in the firelight!
Sing! Let the drum unite us!
Choir:
Oya! Oya!
We carry the ancient sound!
Masquerade walking through the midnight haze
Painted faces in the sacred praise
Warrior heartbeat under the skin
Every drumbeat calling power within
Zulu fire and Igbo flute
Yoruba talking drum telling truth
From Calabar down to Senegal
One mother rhythm connecting all
Igbo Chant:
"Egwu bu ndu, egwu bu ike!"
(Dance is life, dance is power!)
Choir Response:
"Ayi bu ụmụ Africa!"
(We are children of Africa!)
(Percussion drops low, flute enters)
Spirit of the fathers
Spirit of the mothers
Guide our feet tonight
River of remembrance
Carry our story
Into tomorrow's light
Efik Vocal Harmony:
"Obong ọwọrọ nnyin ke usung"
(The King walks among us)
Lead:
Who are we?!
Choir:
Children of the drum!
Lead:
Where do we come from?!
Choir:
Land of the rising sun!
Lead:
What do we carry?!
Choir:
Spirit! Rhythm! Fire!
Full Ensemble:
Africa! Africa! Africa!
Dance! Dance of the ancestors!
Move! Move till the sunrise comes!
Hands high under African skies
We keep the old ways alive!
Choir Layer:
Eh-heyyyy!
Eh-heyyyy!
Ibibio Closing:
"Sosongo mme owo!"
(Let the people rejoice!)
(Drums slowly fade into heartbeat sounds)
Narrator:
"As long as the drum speaks…
Africa remembers…"
Video embed coming soon.
The official video and karaoke timing will be wired in via the CMS.