The Lion of the South

[Intro – vinyl crackle, kalimba, distant chanting] Traveler log... Year: eighteen twenty-eight. Southern Africa. The drums are already calling. [Verse 1 – kalimba, djembe, swing brass] I stepped from the clockwork machine once more Dust on my boots and a sunlit shore The grasslands stretched beneath the sky And the sound of marching thundered by I saw hide shields catch the light I saw warriors ready for the fight Every village whispered one name And every whisper sounded the same Shaka. [Pre-Chorus – talking drum, chanting choir] I heard the drums Across the plains I heard the stories Carried by the wind [Chorus – electro swing brass explosion, tribal drums] SHAKA ZULU THE LION OF THE SOUTH I SAW HIS KINGDOM RISE I HEARD THE PEOPLE SHOUT SHAKA ZULU THE THUNDER OF THE SPEAR TWO HUNDRED YEARS HAVE PASSED AND STILL HIS NAME IS HERE [Verse 2 – marimba, glitch-hop groove] I walked beside the winding streams Past cattle fields and distant dreams The world was changing as I watched History turning notch by notch I saw formations move as one Beneath the burning African sun The earth would tremble when they came And every step increased their fame [Pre-Chorus – tribal choir, talking drum] I crossed the hills I crossed the land I watched a kingdom Take its stand [Chorus – bigger brass, heavier drums] SHAKA ZULU THE LION OF THE SOUTH I SAW HIS KINGDOM RISE I HEARD THE PEOPLE SHOUT SHAKA ZULU THE THUNDER OF THE SPEAR TWO HUNDRED YEARS HAVE PASSED AND STILL HIS NAME IS HERE [Bridge – atmospheric synths, kalimba] I've stood beside emperors I've crossed the courts of kings I've watched great cities flourish Then disappear like dreams But some names survive the centuries Carried farther than the wind [Glitch-Hop Breakdown – chopped vocals, tribal percussion] Traveler! What did you see? I saw a people Forging history Traveler! What did you learn? That legends are remembered Long after the fires burn [Verse 3 – djembe, marimba, brass stabs] As sunset painted red the plains I heard the evening songs again Children dancing near the firelight glow Stories passed from old to young And there I learned what time forgets Some victories never truly end As long as voices still remain To speak a hero's name [Final Chorus – massive choir, brass, tribal drums] SHAKA ZULU THE LION OF THE SOUTH I SAW HIS KINGDOM RISE I HEARD THE PEOPLE SHOUT SHAKA ZULU THE THUNDER OF THE SPEAR TWO HUNDRED YEARS HAVE PASSED AND STILL HIS NAME IS HERE SHAKA ZULU THE DRUMS STILL PLAY SHAKA ZULU THE STORY REMAINS [Outro – kalimba, distant drums, vinyl crackle] Traveler log... The fire burns low. The drums grow distant. Tomorrow... Another century awaits.