I have never felt so strongly affected by any lyrics as I have been by “Wavin' Flag” by K'Naan. The celebration mix feat Will.I.Am and David Guetta is official song of FIFA 2010 WC along, and has been making lots of rounds in the ESPN. The original lyrics are very raw and says a lot about the actual situation in Africa. The song was redone with lyrics given more feel good touch by Will.I.Am and K'Naan to make it more 'palatable' to the developed countries. But then, the old lyrics have such more power, I can hear that one more than the new one, because I can listen to the words any number of time.
The song starts without any musical instruments accompanying K'Naan and his voice is like a kid singing just so that he can forget his pains. There is joy in the voice, a hope which radiates from the person even though it is only recorded version. The lyrics show the history of the powerful continent of Africa, where the first kingdoms came to be. The nations which even rattled the mighty empire of Rome, which now is full of violence. Each of the citizens of these nations run to west, to the havens there, looking for hope. Only a few make it, and one of those few is now President of most powerful nation of the modern world.
When I get older, I will be stronger
They'll call me freedom, just like a wavin' flag
(n then it goes back, n then it goes back)
Born to a throne, stronger then Rome
A violent prone, poor people zone
But it's my home, all I have known
Where I got grown, streets we would roam
Out of the darkness, I came the farthest
Among the hardest survivors
Learn from these streets, it can be bleak
Except no defeat, surrender, retreat
So we strugglin', fightin' to eat
And we wonderin', when we'll be free
So we patiently wait for that fateful day
It's not far away, but for now we say...
Each of these cantos make you think what it is out there, how the people are living, if the images that you see in BBC are really there, why the billions and trillions put together by charities through the years haven't been able to bring any betterment in the conditions. The nations which paved thousand of kilometers of road with goal for the fancy of a king going to Mecca is now poorer than many companies. The nations which were among the first to be civilized are now uncivilized, their art and literature are looked upon as ethnic and exquisite, a collectors choice kind. Wars are common still, while many haven't heard a single shot fired in their life. An AK 47 is cheaper than a liter of milk, and fresh milk is almost unavailable unless you are really rich or powerful. The rest of the lyrics says why.
When I get older, I will be stronger
They'll call me freedom, just like a wavin' flag
So many wars, settlin' scores
Bringin' us promises, leavin' us poor
I heard 'em say, love is the way
Love is the answer, that's what they say
But look how they treat us
Make us believers, we fight their battles
Then they deceive us
Tried to control us, they couldn't hold us
Cos we just moved forward like Buffalo Soldiers
But we strugglin', fightin' to eat
And we wonderin', when we'll be free
So we patiently wait for that fateful day
It's not far away, but for now we say...
The wars fought for their sake are bleeding them more. Is it really bringing any good? What is the answer to this question which every sane person asks. Are they being deceived by a mirage, of better future after the war while they are kept in perpetual conflict, the zone never demilitarized!
When I get older, I will be stronger
They'll call me freedom, just like a wavin' flag
When I get older, I will be stronger
They'll call me freedom, just like a wavin' flag
And everybody will be singing it
And you and I will be singing it
And we all will be singing it
When I get older, I will be stronger
They'll call me freedom, just like a wavin' flag
(Outro)
When I get older; when I get older
I will be stronger, just like a wavin' flag
Just like a wavin' flag, just like a wavin' flag
Flag, flag, just like a wavin' flag
So many kids out there are waiting to get older, to grow old into freedom. When will this happen, patience is their only weapon. Let the powers in the nature give them strength.
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