Town Crier

(Verse 1)

Moonlight dancing in the village square

Children laughing, rhythm in the air

From the palace to the riverside

Hear the gong now, let the people rise

Walking slowly with the ancient drum

Voice of elders calling everyone

From the market to the farming ground

Sacred echoes shaking all around

(Pre-Chorus)

He no dey carry empty sound

Every word na wisdom found

From the fathers long ago

Hear the spirit calling home

(Chorus — Call & Response)

Lead: Town crier don come oh!

Choir: Eh-heh! Eh-heh!

Lead: Make everybody gather!

Choir: Gather! Gather!

Lead: Spirit of the ancestors!

Choir: Oyo! Oyo!

Lead: Hear the drum, hear the call!

Choir: We dey answer all!

(Verse 2 — Ibibio / Efik Blend)

Lead: "Nkpọñ edi oku, owo etie nti"

(The gong is calling, let the people listen)

Lead: "Ete ete ikwo, mme owo ekpọ fi"

(Ancient drums are calling the people)

Through the forests and the streams

Ancient voices in our dreams

Every heartbeat tell a story

Of our fathers and their glory

(Bridge — Igbo)

Lead: "Onye nkwa kpọrọ anyị bia"

(The messenger has called us to come)

Lead: "Gee nti n'okwu nna nna anyị"

(Listen to the words of our ancestors)

Lead: "Akpụkpọ ụkwụ nke ọdịnala"

(The footsteps of tradition)

Lead: "Ka anyị ghara ichefu ụzọ"

(Let us never forget the way)

(Afrobeat Dance Chorus)

Lead: Gong go sound!

Choir: Pa-pa-pam! Pa-pa-pam!

Lead: Drum go speak!

Choir: Kpom-kpom-kpom!

Lead: Village wake up!

Choir: Everybody rise!

Lead: Ancestors calling!

Choir: Open your eyes!

(Verse 3)

No television long ago

Still the whole wide village know

Every message every cry

Travel fast beneath the sky

Town crier standing brave and tall

Voice of unity for all

From the old days till today

African spirit never fades

(Spiritual Outro)

Whispers in the midnight air

Sacred footsteps everywhere

Hear the gong beyond the flame

Ancestors still call your name

Choir fades repeatedly:

"Eh-heh… eh-heh…"

"Town crier don come…"

"Oyo… oyo…"