Madiba

From the forbidden slums of West Africa

To the sand dunes of the Sahara desert

And the highest tip of Mount Kilimanjaro

A dark continent chants your blessed name

All hail Nelson Madiba Mandela!

A King we can adorn with gold

 

When Africa’s children wailed in pain

From an iron fist a new king emerged

To bite off the chains of oppression

As he awoke in a silent manger

Where Africa’s leaders laid in pensive gaze

Like crouching lions beneath the savannah

 

All hail Nelson Madiba Mandela!

Visionary patron of Africa’s freedom

A warrior’s son who fought with words

To induce stronger hope in shattered hearts

Like the voices of Africa’s praise singers

That calm even the meanest of kings

 

All hail Nelson Madiba Mandela

A Thembu prince from a Xhosa nation

Rolihlahla the humble prince of peace

All of Africa adores your royal name

In your mighty warrior’s fist awakes

Shaka, Samorie, and Sundiata the Lion King

 

Let the rivers flow to the rhythm of you name

Let the mountains of Africa echo Madiba

As your voice consumes our fears

To brace ourselves for the battle ahead

Singing hymns of praise to our father

Bayete a-a-a, Nelson Madiba Mandela