AFRICA IS NOT TARZAN LAND - GABBERTS

calypso, Caribbean soca/calypso (tent), Afro-Caribbean roots, political/anthemic vocal style

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Pre-Chorus
But that is lie, plain lie,
Old plantation lie dressed up nice,
They rob the land, they rob the name,
Then laugh and try to hide the price.

Chorus
Africa is not Tarzan land,
Not monkey tricks and cannibal band,
Africa is history, power and pride,
And Caribbean people stand at she side.
Africa is cities, science, soul,
Ancient wisdom, present goal,
So teach the truth from now, not when,
Africa lives in we, again and again.

Verse 2
Before Columbus cross the sea,
Before the chains and misery,
Africa had kingdoms, trade and law,
And scholars writing history.
Timbuktu light the learning flame,
Great empires carve a mighty name,
Gold and knowledge, art and order,
Civilisation strong from border to border.

Pre-Chorus
So who start this comic show?
Who make the masses never know?
Who twist the story, hide the crown,
And make the motherland look down?

Verse 3
Look at Accra, look Kigali,
Look Nairobi rising steadily,
Look Lagos busy night and day,
Johannesburg in modern display.
Skyscrapers reaching to the sky,
Innovation passing by,
Business, culture, tech and art,
A mighty continent with a mighty heart.

Bridge
Marcus Garvey raise the call,
Africa must stand for all,
Padmore, James and others too,
Show what Caribbean people could do.
Mandela in the prison years,
Apartheid fed on blood and tears,
But Caribbean voices never done,
Till freedom answer in the sun.

Verse 4
Now governments crossing water wide,
With Caribbean purpose, not just pride,
Building bridges, trade and ties,
Opening up the people’s eyes.
This is not some fashion trend,
This is history come round again,
A reconnection long delayed,
A sacred debt to ancestors paid.

Final Chorus
Africa is not Tarzan land,
Not monkey tricks and cannibal band,
Africa is future, memory, flame,
And we in the Caribbean share that name.
Africa is mother, root and role,
Living presence in we soul,
So ring the bell in every town,
Miseducation falling down.

Outro
From Belize shore to Bridgetown sand,
From Port of Spain to Guyana land,
Gabberts say make no mistake,
Africa awake, so let we wake.

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Verse 1 They teach we foolishness from small, And hope the truth go never call, Every time they mention Africa, They dress it up in ridicule and gall. Tarzan swinging through the trees, Monkey business in the breeze, Cannibals and jungle story, As if that is the whole of Africa’s glory. Pre-Chorus But that is lie, plain lie, Old plantation lie dressed up nice, They rob the land, they rob the name, Then laugh and try to hide the price. Chorus Africa is not Tarzan land, Not monkey tricks and cannibal band, Africa is history, power and pride, And Caribbean people stand at she side. Africa is cities, science, soul, Ancient wisdom, present goal, So teach the truth from now, not when, Africa lives in we, again and again. Verse 2 Before Columbus cross the sea, Before the chains and misery, Africa had kingdoms, trade and law, And scholars writing history. Timbuktu light the learning flame, Great empires carve a mighty name, Gold and knowledge, art and order, Civilisation strong from border to border. Pre-Chorus So who start this comic show? Who make the masses never know? Who twist the story, hide the crown, And make the motherland look down? Chorus Africa is not Tarzan land, Not monkey tricks and cannibal band, Africa is history, power and pride, And Caribbean people stand at she side. Africa is cities, science, soul, Ancient wisdom, present goal, So teach the truth from now, not when, Africa lives in we, again and again. Verse 3 Look at Accra, look Kigali, Look Nairobi rising steadily, Look Lagos busy night and day, Johannesburg in modern display. Skyscrapers reaching to the sky, Innovation passing by, Business, culture, tech and art, A mighty continent with a mighty heart. Bridge Marcus Garvey raise the call, Africa must stand for all, Padmore, James and others too, Show what Caribbean people could do. Mandela in the prison years, Apartheid fed on blood and tears, But Caribbean voices never done, Till freedom answer in the sun. Verse 4 Now governments crossing water wide, With Caribbean purpose, not just pride, Building bridges, trade and ties, Opening up the people’s eyes. This is not some fashion trend, This is history come round again, A reconnection long delayed, A sacred debt to ancestors paid. Final Chorus Africa is not Tarzan land, Not monkey tricks and cannibal band, Africa is future, memory, flame, And we in the Caribbean share that name. Africa is mother, root and role, Living presence in we soul, So ring the bell in every town, Miseducation falling down. Outro From Belize shore to Bridgetown sand, From Port of Spain to Guyana land, Gabberts say make no mistake, Africa awake, so let we wake.

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