Lifelines

(Gongosu Blues 1)

Gongosu g’ori ite
Aye lu jara bii kobo Pabo
Agbaga! Gongosu g’ori ite
Aye lu jara bi kobo Pabo
Odoyo goloto, afenuhora
Awaye ma kuro laite

We have seen many Kings in this land
This one wears a different cap
Say, we have seen many Kings in this land
But this one wears a different cap
You only need a rapid glance
And you know he has a serious handicap

Words quarrel in his mouth
His thoughts move at snail-speed
Say, words quarrel in his mouth
His thoughts move at snail-speed
They say he went to many schools
Don’t ask how many books he ever read

When the Usurers came with their bottomless bowl
And asked him to squeeze the toiling folks
Hah, the Usurers came with their bottomless bowl
And asked him to squeeze the toiling folks
He obeyed every word with a lowly bow
Smiling like one with the wit of a fowl

Prices went through the roof
The house shook to its very root
Hah, prices went through the roof
The house shook to its very root
When the people saw their King
In his mouth was his trembling foot!