1. Africa my Africa

2. Africa my Africa

3. Africa of proud warriors in
ancestral savannahs.

4. Africa of whom my grandmother
sings

5. On the banks of the distant
river, I have never known you

6. But your blood flows in my veins.

7. Your beautiful black body that
irrigates the fields.

8. The blood of your sweat

9. The sweat of your work, the work
of your slavery.

10. Africa, tell me Africa

11. Is this you, this back that is
bent, this back that breaks

12. Under the weight of humiliation

13. This back trembling with red
scars

14. And saying no to the whip under
the midday sun, but a grave
voice answers me

15. Splendidly alone amidst white
and faded flowers

16. This is your Africa springing up
anew

17. Springing up
patiently, obstinately

18. Whose fruit bit by bit
acquires, the bitter taste of
liberty