When dark shadows of war fell
And cries of anguish rang like bells
Streets stained, the skies of Sierra Leone torn
The hope of this nation was lost and gone.
Through those dark clouds, a light arose
A force for peace, worries deposed
ECOMOG came with a mission crystal as clear
To drive away the reign of fear.
Through jungle paths and smelly streets
They battled on, defying defeat
With every step and with every stand
They stitched together a broken land
This is the power of unity, you see—
An African brother lifting another free.
One finger alone can't lift a stone;
It takes a union to build a home.
Kush is both a lover and a monster
Capturing the hearts of our youth.
Its eyes, as deep as the night and bright as stars
Hold secrets of passion and unspoken truths.
With a touch that sends shivers down the spine
It suffocates the soul into delirium.
Its voice, a haunting melody
Whispers promises and fears alike—a lullaby of sweet agony.
Draped in a velvet cloak of desire
It prowls the landscapes of dreams
Leaving traces of warmth and damage
And claw marks of yearning on Sierra Leonean youth.
This creature, born from the wild storms of the heart
Is a keeper of boundless affection
A distributor of heartache
A beast of love that devours our youth.
O Sierra Loa, the mountain of lions
A land of thy free, O native land.
A symbol of God's majestic hand
A nation so small yet peaceful and grand.
Beneath your ever clear sky
Merry mountains and gay valleys lie.
Home to air that touches hearts far and wide.
For you my song and hymns will always bide.
Your rivers, your vast and wide seas
As blue as the eyes of lion mountains
Flow like the taps of royal fountains.
The beauty of you my eyes will always see.
Oh native land, my home, my heart
In you I found the courage since the very start
To wave through the storms of our gloomy past.
The love in you, o native land, all my worries I cast.
We harboured a dream
Believing freedom would bring us joy
We sought to liberate ourselves
From the shackles of colonial reign
Freedom arrived, vast and unrestrained
To our prayers God answered
"So help me God, so help me God,"
He endowed us with the spirit to persevere.
He fortified us to navigate
Through civil strife and turmoil
We triumphed over Ebola, COVID we defeated
Yet, why do we lament over Kush?
Where did we go wrong?
How did we evolve into a fractured nation
Polarized in beliefs and thoughts—
What happened to the melody of our anthem?
Where is the love we pledge?
Do we still serve her faithfully?
Oh my Sierra Leone!
The only land that I own,
I pledge to thee, to bring peace, love, development and unity,
Sadly I act for my interest without any loyalty.
I betray each and every promise to thee I made,
Skinning thy people whom I opted to aid.
I know even though you are independent, but thou dependth on me,
To lead thee to freedom, unity and prosperity.
Each and every day my act caused thee to bleed
I feed thee with hunger, nurture in thee my very corrupt seed.
Shamelessly I speak of my love for thee,
When thine legs I cut, thine eyes blind so thou cannot see.
Even though I pledged to serve thee at all time,
I made thee my servant, serving me at thine prime
I put my interest above yours,
Betraying thy love and trust.
Sierra Leone
Imagine being a kid
Running for your life
Behind you explodes a bomb
Feet splash in mud,
Diamonds hidden in your teeth
Rightfully yours
This is your home
Everything about this equation is wrong
De Beers
Imagine troops pushing maids carts
Full of Diamonds in a glass case
Your five senses breathe money
Messed up childhood, it's the only love you embrace
All the goats you cut to stash pouches in
It's the bully, the devil coming out from within
The underground tunnels,
The lies you funnel
Paperwork? Straighten collar
Hu Hum, That doesn't exist, grin,
When I walk through the mall
I see jewelers and their prestigious counters
I mind goes to all the kids torn from their parents
Forced into drugs to stay alive
How can anyone be ok with this?
Blood Diamonds will live forever
Too many chose ignorance.
Talking to them about it
All they've got is a blank stare
South province where Mattru jong is located!
Intriguing issues as a young boy!
Escaped from drugs and the war!
Rebels – They don’t agree with the government and think everyone is the enemy!
Ready to start over!
A lhaji close friend of Ishmael!
Lonely waking around by himself at the age of 12!
Evaluated but never understood!
One world with terrible memories!
Never being able to let go of memories!
Elated at being with his uncle!