BENIN, KEEP MOVING FORWARD Afro-Jazz — Saxophone, Trumpet & Traditional Drums [INTRO — Deep African drums, piano, soft saxophone] Dum… dum… ta-ka-dum… From nineteen sixty, A young nation opened its eyes. A new flag in the morning, A new dream beneath the skies. Many leaders, many chapters, Many roads along the way, But one people, one homeland, Still standing strong today. Benin… my homeland. [Saxophone Solo] ⸻ [VERSE 1 — Slow Jazz] Hubert Maga led the first steps Of a nation born free. Apithy and Ahomadégbé Helped shape our young identity. Émile Derlin Zinsou carried on Through challenging times of change. Then Mathieu Kérékou took the wheel, And history turned another page. A nation searched for its direction, Built institutions, learned to stand, And through the storms of history, Benin kept moving on. ⸻ [VERSE 2 — Blues Jazz] Nicéphore Soglo came with change, At the dawn of democracy, With economic reforms and new directions, Opening a new chapter for the country. Then Kérékou returned by the ballot, In a peaceful democratic way, And Benin showed the world That democracy could have its say. [Trumpet Solo — 8 bars] Thomas Boni Yayi then arrived, With development on his mind, Building roads and infrastructure, Seeking growth and opportunities for mankind. ⸻ [CHORUS — Full Jazz Groove] Oh Benin, keep moving forward, Keep your eyes upon the sun. Yesterday built tomorrow, And our journey’s not yet done. Oh Benin, land of our fathers, Land of dreams beneath the sun. Many chapters, one great story, One people, one nation, one! ⸻ [VERSE 3 — Powerful Afro-Jazz] Then Patrice Talon came with vision, A determination to transform. Reforms reshaped the nation’s systems, And development took a stronger form. Roads and cities changed before us, Infrastructure spread across the land. Energy, industry and modern projects Put new ambitions in our hands. New roads connected communities, New industries began to rise. Benin looked toward production, With confidence in tomorrow’s skies. Whatever our political opinions, One thing cannot be denied: The country entered a period Of profound transformation and drive. [Saxophone Solo — 16 bars] [Trumpet answers] Ta-ra-ra… Benin is rising… ⸻ [BRIDGE — Slow, emotional Jazz] But transformation has a purpose. It must reach the farmer in the field, The worker earning his living, The young graduate seeking opportunity, The mother building her family. A country’s success is not only The buildings that we see. It is the quality of life Of every citizen. [Drums soften] ⸻ [VERSE 4 — Hopeful Jazz] And now the baton has been passed, A new chapter has begun. Romuald Wadagni stands before us, With tomorrow in his hands. You know the numbers, You know the challenges, You know the road we’ve traveled. Now we ask you: Take Benin further. Create more jobs for our youth, Give our farmers greater strength. Support our entrepreneurs, And help our industries grow. Bring reliable power to every home, Better roads to every community. Make technology and innovation A force for opportunity. Let economic growth become A better life for everyone. ⸻ [PRE-CHORUS — Saxophone Rising] Mr. President, hear the heartbeat, Hear the hopes of every generation. We don’t ask for miracles. We ask for transformation. We don’t ask for empty promises. We ask for results. The foundation has been laid… Now take us further. ⸻ [FINAL CHORUS — GRAND JAZZ FINALE] Oh Benin, keep moving forward, Keep your eyes upon the sun. Let the work of yesterday Build the future yet to come. Oh Benin, rise even higher, Let your children dream and run. With courage, wisdom and unity, Let our greatest days become! Trumpet: Benin! Choir: Keep moving forward! Saxophone: Benin! Choir: Keep moving forward! Drums: DUM! DUM! TA-KA-DUM! Choir: One people! One nation! One destiny! ⸻ [OUTRO — Piano & Saxophone] Our past is our memory. Our present is our responsibility. Our future is our promise. The leaders may change, The times may change, But the country remains. Benin… My roots. My pride. My homeland. Keep moving forward. Final saxophone note… DUM…
