Kunta Kinte's Dream

KUNTA KINTE’S DREAM 

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Imagine that Kunta Kinte is in his slave hut

When he hears the sound of a beating drum

And he knows it’s a signal

For an uprising or an escape attempt;

 

Brave Mandinka Warriors

You are not alone

The village of Juffure

Was also our home

 

We, too, were brought in the great canoe

From our lands across the sea

We have prayed almighty Allah

Let him grant us victory

 

Hear the beat of the drum and gather

For did we not once dance together friend around the fire

 

We have prayed and fasted

Scorned the pig meat served us by the Toobob

On their tin plate

For though we have been brought here 

To serve as slaves

 

Still we must defy the Toobob

Who with his puny whip and chain

Has designs to hold us

In these dark huts beside his house

 

Rise now and we shall fight these pagan beasts

Who would have us toil their fields

 

Rise now and we shall become one again

For we have stolen weapons

And studied well his weakness

 

We gather now 

In this darkened hour

With him bundled against the cold

 

We’ll march through mud and snow

And by morning fall upon him

In all our numbers 

Using his own weapons against him

 

Follow now then

The beat of the drum

But be weary to bring your friend along

For the man who feels himself unclear

Will surely betray us to his master 

Out of fear

 

Copyright 1991 by Johnny Blade