Dem on an’ dem off
(with apologies to Fela Anikulapo Kuti2and Benjamin Zephaniah3)
(for those who died on 20/7/2011)
[Brass and choppy funky guitar in key of E]
Tiye! Bwela! Tiye! Bwela!
Ah!!! Dem on an’ dem on!
Ashiki! Ashoko! Ashiki Ashoko!
Ah! Dem on an’ dem on!
Dis people power gone all crazy
We follow dem into a mad tizzy
Politicos and civicos dem gone crazy
Kwende! Ima! Pita! Bwela!
Dem on an’ dem on!
Dem on an’ dem on!
Organise, strategize, oppose, diffuse!
Olala! By the power of the almighty!
Burn, blame, kill; don criticise!
Olala! Politics in the God-fearing entity!
Bwela! Choka! Pita! Luta!
Lalalalalalalala!
Ashiki! Ashoko! Ashiki! Ashoko!
[Here accompanied by bubbly bass alone]
Dem go crazy for democracy!
Dem go mad for people power!
Dem go cry for people power!
Dem go refuse dema-dialogue!
Dem off an’ dem on!
Ima! Khala! Ima! Choka!
Dem off an’ dem on!
Dem off an’ dem on!
[Intense but quiet drum solo background]
Dem workers dey be leaderless
Dem civicos dey be fearless
Some intellectuals dey go mindless
Dem argue on internet, clueless
Dem argue ignorance, tolerance,
Docility, dem zombied into a trance
Dem say government done kill freedom
And government strangle Miss Academic
But puzzled and lacking comprehension
I say Malawi is one God-fearing nation
Dem say I eat Obama scone to speak shit
For I say Malawi is a beautiful nation
An dem would kill me for my notion
Ashiki! Ashoko! Ashiki! Ashoko!
Poverty push vendor to government
Kaliati push vendor to civicos
Civicos push worker to government
Government push worker to street
Dem tight, no one will be beat
Ashiki Ashoko ashiki ashoko!
Lolololo! Aaah!
Miracles in God-fearing land!
Look students learn with no college!
Minister travel with no forex
Witches drive cars with no petrol
As workers and vendors get no pay
Making priest, minister and sheikh pray
For nation, person an property
But the British they take back donation
And Americans keep us in blackouts
Now dem say no to aid with strings
Dem claim dollar make African gay
Dem say principle better than pay
Shaaaaaaaaaame! Daaaamnation!
Empty libations offer no solution
Ashiki! Ashoko! Ashiki!
Ah! Lalalala!
Dem on an’ dem off!
Dem on and dem off!
Guns blaze covering the nation in red
Dem worker, civicos, vendor lie dead
Some mourn and cry and some curse
Trouble makers an ungrateful devils
UN say civicos an government need help
Why UN for peaceful God-fearing nation?
Dem say donor want elite solution
For donor give us money for hunger
But government say it has sovereignty
So it tell donor to keep money
Now we wait for rain and starter pack
And democracy to get back on track
[fade with blistering discordant guitar or trumpet solo]
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