Africa
D'Angelo Lyrics
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And here I am, far from home
I dwell within a land that is meant
Meant for many men not my tone, yeah
The blood of God is my defense
Let it drop down to my seed
Showers to your innocence
And with this wood, I beat this drum
We won't see defeat, yeah
From kings to queens becomes a prince
Knowledge and wisdom is understanding what we need
Ever since the day you came
My whole world began to change
I knew then to dedicate my life
For your own (and this day will come)
Everyday, I see you grow
And remember what you already know
I receive, I receive the love
That radiates from your glow
From which you came was love
And that's how it all should be
You and my soul are one
Through all the time and history, yeah
Thank you, thank you
The lyrics of D'Angelo's song Africa are a stirring tribute to the artist's African heritage, expressing both pride and a sense of distance from the continent that is his ancestral home. The first verse lays out this contrast, with D'Angelo acknowledging that he is living in a land that is not his own, though his bloodline goes back generations here. The second verse presents him as a protector, invoking the blood of god as a defense for his children and emphasizing the importance of knowledge and wisdom. The final verse is a heartfelt tribute to the love he shares with his child, seeing their bond as a continuation of the love that brought us all into being.
Overall, the lyrics can be seen as an expression of both pride and longing for Africa, with the artist recognizing the richness of his heritage and the power of his connection to the continent while also acknowledging the many obstacles that have kept him from it. Through it all, though, the spirit of love and connection shines through, a reminder that even when physical distance separates us from our roots, the bonds of family and culture can still endure.
Line by Line Meaning
Africa is my descent
I am from Africa, it is an essential part of my identity
And here I am far from home
I am currently living somewhere else, away from my true home
I dwell within a land that is meant
I am living in a place that was meant for others, not necessarily for me
For many men not my tone
For many men, this land may suit them but not necessarily me, due to differences in culture or race
The blood of god is my defense
God's protection and blessings are what I rely on for safety and security in life
Let it drop down to my seed
May these blessings and protections be perpetually passed down through my descendants
Showers to your innocence
May God's blessings rain down on the pure and innocent
To protect you for all eternity
May God's blessings be a safeguard for my descendants throughout all time
And with this wood I beat this drum
I use this drum to channel my innermost emotions and communicate with others
And we won't see defeat
Through the power of our unity and resilience, we will not experience defeat
From kings to queens becomes a prince
Royalty can be passed on through generations, from kings to queens and ultimately to a prince
Knowledge wisdom is
The pursuit and acquisition of knowledge and wisdom is crucial
Understanding what we need
It is important to understand not just what we want, but what we truly need
Ever since the day you came
From the day you were born or came into my life, everything has been different
My whole world began to change
Your arrival had a profound impact on my life and perspective
I knew then to dedicate my life
I realized then that I should devote my life to taking care of you and providing for you
For your own
For your benefit and well-being
Everyday I see you grow
I witness your growth and development each day
And remember what you already know
I reflect on your knowledge and intelligence that you already possess
I receive the love
I am the recipient of the love and affection that you give so freely
That radiates from your glow
Your inner light and goodness shines outward and touches those around you
From which you came was love
You are the product of a loving relationship
And that's how it all should be
Love should be the foundation of all relationships and interactions
You and my soul are one
Our souls are intertwined and connected as one, beyond any physical or temporal boundaries
Through all the time and history
This connection will endure through all eras and epochs of time
Thank you, thank you
Expressing gratitude for the blessings and love that have been received
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Michael D'Angelo Archer, Ahmir K. Thompson, Luther Archer, Angela L. Stone
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind