Amoyo Omwe

[Intro – soft stacked harmonies, percussion slowly building] (Ooooh…) (Mmm-hmm…) Amoyo Omwe… (Ooooh…) Amoyo Omwe… (Mmm-hmm…) [Verse 1] No matter what you say I can’t be mad at y’all (mhmm) We came a long way, but now we slackin’ off (mhmm) Same sun hit Accra, Port au Prince too They struggled up in Brooklyn Gave us all basic tools Held back for years, with the resources spread thin Somehow we found solace with a dance and a pen A ball and a mic, maybe a ring if our team wins The other half still chained, getting locked up in the pen We make blues from bruises, and rhythm from pain Don’t gotta be Caribbean, we got the beats in our veins Black from anywhere made the whole world change.. (Mmm-hmm…) [Pre-Chorus – harmonies begin stacking] It’s a war outside We can’t fight within It’s history written deep In you and your black skin All we need is a spark Open your eyes and see Stop sinking with the old ways And swim to be free (Ooooh…) (Mmm-hmm…) [Chorus] Jump from the ship Bury me in the ocean Break every chain Rather drown than be broken (Amoyo Omwe…) (Mmm-hmm…) Amoyo Omwe… [Verse 2] When did it happen? How did we lose our way? Using the words all our abusers would say Call me your brother, don’t look with disdain Your story ain’t mine, but the hurt feel the same Who taught you to tell me that I don’t belong? Reparations are whispered, they string us along Divide and then conquer been working for too long Pointing the finger while both of us wrong Have you, my brother, forgotten the fight? Black cultures worldwide stood up for our rights Foundational history is still vital and true But respect when it’s given comes right back to you Different beginnings, but look where we stand Bloodline scattered through sea and through land No need to erase what makes you feel proud Just stop using pride to tear brothers down (Mmm-hmm…) [Pre-Chorus] It’s a war outside We can’t fight within It’s history written deep In you and your black skin All we need is a spark Open your eyes and see Stop sinking with the old ways And swim to be free (Ooooh…) (Mmm-hmm…) [Chorus] Jump from the ship Bury me in the ocean Break every chain Rather drown than be broken (Amoyo Omwe…) (Mmm-hmm…) Amoyo Omwe… [8-Bar Kompa/Zouk Guitar Solo] [Clean melodic Haitian/Zouk guitar rides naturally over the Afrobeat groove. Heavy melodic bass guitar underneath, African percussion steady, with subtle Spanish guitar answering the lead.] (Ooooh…) (Mmm-hmm…) (Ooooh…) Amoyo Omwe… [Bridge – instruments pull back] Father, give us wisdom Before pride takes control Put some love between the distance We need healing in the soul Let the island know the mainland And the mainland know the coast the children of your motherland It matters the most If my brother makes it through I should want to see him win There’s a war outside already We can’t keep fighting within [Silent Vocal Break – all instruments drop out] (Ooooooh…) (Mmm-hmm…) Amoyo Omwe… (Ooooh… ooooh…) Amoyo Omwe… (Mmm-hmm…) [Heavy bass guitar enters alone] (Ooooh…) [Percussion gradually returns] [Final Chorus – full stacked harmonies] Jump from the ship Bury me in the ocean Break every chain Rather drown than be broken (Amoyo Omwe…) (Ooooh…) (Mmm-hmm…) Amoyo Omwe… [Outro – guitars and bass continue, smooth fade] (Ooooh…) (Mmm-hmm…) Amoyo Omwe… (Ooooh…) Amoyo Omwe… (Mmm-hmm…) Amoyo Omwe…