A Pan-Africanist Vision

He told them: "Up, up you mighty race" On eagles' wings to claim the sky "You can accomplish what you will" Though die a man, dreams never die, Faith can sail the Black Star Liner still. Something to believe in bigger than a man Some future challenge understood So we, scattered, take one another's hand; Wisdom upon wisdom building a brotherhood. Know a brother's love in burden's weight Recover a dignity erased by others' history Diaspora and motherland a common state; We are not ashamed of our heroes testimony We are not afraid of the challenges tonight. Nasser, Nkrumah, Nyrere, Garvey - all dreamers Visions of the struggle, leaders of the fight We salute you great ancestors, salute you explorers. You who have found the way back long ago for us Crossing desert sands, carrying firewood from the bush You who call us to the sea to wash away the dust Forgive me, forgive us too blind, too blind to make the rush O but we remember the heart has big eyes, big eyes And we see when the sun is gone, for no warmth come And as the sons of Africa, we rise, and shall ever rise While in our veins beat the drum songs of our freedom. The drum for justice is beating loud, and loud again It says pay us, O masters, the reparations you owe us The drum for equality makes rhythm to end our pain Bring us to the table, we will eat with our fingers and trust The drum for peace, the drum of peace, O it is humble Nana, we cannot forget, must not forget we pray The kingdom shakes, but will not in madness, ever tumble Hope keeps vision of a stronger Africa, and a better day.