African Before The Cities · English / Pidgin / Igbo
Palm Wine Tapper
The keeper of tradition and spirit — how the African palm wine tapper preserves an ancient bond between humanity, nature, and communal celebration.
Lyrics
(Intro — 0:00–0:25)
Eh eh…
Early morning before the sunrise…
The tapper don wake…
From the motherland…
Spirit of the palm tree…
Mmịn nkwu… mmịn ndụ…
(Palm wine… drink of life)
Abasi ọwọrọ ke usung…
(God speaks through the drumbeat)
(Verse 1 — The Climb)
Before city wake and the rooster crow
Palm wine tapper don ready to go
Rope for shoulder, cutlass for hand
Climbing tall palm tree across the land
Fifty feet high but him no fear
Na years of wisdom carry am there
One wrong step fit end the day
But survival teach am steady way
For the village path under morning light
Him dey climb while the world still quiet
From raffia palm the sweet sap flow
Gift from nature wey ancestors know
Ukot enyene uwem
(The palm tree carries life)
Nkwu bu ndụ
(Palm wine is life)
(Pre-Chorus)
No be ordinary drink we dey see
Na spirit of culture and history
Every drop get story to tell
From the roots of Africa where wisdom dwell
(Chorus — Call & Response)
Lead: Palm wine tapper… climbing higher!
Choir: Higher! Higher!
Lead: Spirit of the village never tire!
Choir: Never tire! Never tire!
Lead: From the earth to the sky above!
Choir: Carrying peace! Carrying love!
Lead: Mmịn nkwu for the people tonight!
Choir: Drink of joy! Drink of light!
(Verse 2 — Culture & Ceremony)
Wedding day and the people sing
Palm wine dey flow as joy they bring
Bride go search for the groom with cup
When she find am, everybody stand up
Moonlight stories under village tree
Elders dey speak ancient history
Children gather listening close
Learning wisdom only culture knows
Funeral cry and celebration dance
Palm wine dey there for every chance
From naming child to harvest feast
Na symbol of unity for man and beast
Ekóñ eyen Abasi…
(Drum of God's children…)
Ufan ye ima ọwọrọ ke idem
(Love and peace live within us)
(Chorus)
Lead: Palm wine tapper… climbing higher!
Choir: Higher! Higher!
Lead: Keeper of tradition and sacred fire!
Choir: Sacred fire! Sacred fire!
Lead: From the ancestors hear the sound!
Choir: Rhythm rising from the ground!
(Verse 3 — The Spiritual Connection)
Ancestors dey whisper through the breeze
River dey pray through the moving trees
Every calabash carry ancient song
Connecting the living all along
No separation between earth and sky
Palm tree standing like spirit high
Tapper no just dey work for food
Na sacred calling understood
Before he carve, before he cut
He whisper prayer before the hut
Because the land and spirit one
Under moonlight and morning sun
Ukpong mi ekere ye Abasi
(My soul belongs to God)
Mmịn nkwu edi edidi uwem
(Palm wine is part of life)
(Bridge — 2:45–3:10)
Modern world dey move too fast
But ancient wisdom still go last
Forget your roots and soul go weak
Listen carefully… the palm tree speak
(Verse 4 — Legacy & Survival)
Today the city dey change the game
Young generation no know the same
Factories rise and cultures fade
But the old traditions still dey prayed
Palm wine tapper still dey stand
Guardian spirit of the land
From grandfather down to son
Passing the wisdom one by one
No be only drink inside the cup
Na memory of where we come from wrapped up
Every taste carry Africa soul
Connecting the broken and making whole
(Final Chorus — Big Choir Build)
Lead: Palm wine tapper!
Choir: Keeper of the roots!
Lead: Palm wine tapper!
Choir: Voice of the truth!
Lead: Spirit of Africa!
Choir: Rise again!
Lead: From the village to the world!
Choir: Let the rhythm reign!
Lead: Mmịn nkwu!
Choir: Drink of life!
Lead: Ancient wisdom!
Choir: Never dies!
(Outro — 3:40–4:00)
When the world forget where it come from…
Listen to the palm tree…
When culture begin fade away…
Listen to the drum…
Because deep inside the roots…
Africa still dey breathe…
Na me be McEncomium…
Edemaya Son 🎤
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