Mozambique

I was born in a land that was occupied
Soldiers everywhere
My people’s life was so very hard
But the rulers, they didn’t care

Mozambique, Mozambique
Mozambique, my land, Mozambique

When I was young I loved to draw
My people and my land
And as I grew I began to learn
Of the power in my hands

My people could see all the gifts I had
They loved my work from the start
But the rulers, they were afraid of me
And my creative, African heart

I worked so hard just to pay my way
I painted week after week
I worked for the day my people would say:
“Freedom for Mozambique”

The rulers could see I was black, I was strong
And they did not treat me so well
When I would not do what they wanted me to
They threw me in a prison cell

My people are wise, my people are strong
My people fought for their rights
When they’d forced all the rulers to leave our land
My people danced through the night