zombie
Fela Anikulapo Kuti And Africa 70 Lyrics

Zombie o, zombie (Zombie o, zombie)
The repetition of the phrase 'zombie o, zombie' creates an eerie chant, mimicking the monotony and mindlessness of the zombies being described in the song.

Zombie no go go, unless you tell am to go (Zombie)
Zombies have no will of their own; they only act when instructed, just as the ruling powers control the military without regard for their humanity or autonomy.

Zombie no go stop, unless you tell am to stop (Zombie)
The zombies are unable to break the cycle of violence and destruction without outside intervention, much like the military will continue to repress the citizens unless instructed otherwise.

Zombie no go turn, unless you tell am to turn (Zombie)
The zombies are restricted to a single-minded, one-way path with no room for deviation, similar to the ways in which people are trapped within oppressive social structures enforced by government without opportunity for alternative paths.

Zombie no go think, unless you tell am to think (Zombie)
The zombies are conditioned to blindly follow directions, unable to question or think critically about their actions and the morality of the orders given, just as the military is often used to perpetuate oppressive regimes without critical thought or examination of their actions.

Go and kill! (Joro, jaro, joro)
The commanding officer instructs the soldiers to kill without any hesitation or thought to the humanity of their targets or the morality of the action. This highlights the ways in which authority figures can strip the individual of their autonomy and responsibility for their actions.

Go and die! (Joro, jaro, joro)
Instructing the soldiers to die highlights the suicidal or self-destructive nature of the orders, and the principle that they are disposable and expendable, just like the zombie creatures they are being likened to.

Go and quench! (Joro, jaro, joro)
The instruction to quench implies putting out a fire or other destructive force, but in the context of the song, it may be interpreted as making the soldiers ruthlessly extinguish the humanity in themselves, becoming cold and unfeeling killers.

Put am for reverse! (Joro, jaro, joro)
The call to put the soldiers in reverse may be seen as adding yet another layer of mindlessness and lack of autonomy to their actions, further dehumanizing them and turning them into mere vessels for violence at the command of the ruling powers.

Joro, jara, joro, zombie wey na one way
The phrase 'joro, jara, joro' is repeated throughout the song, driving home the monotony and lack of creativity or deviation in the zombie-like soldiers. The phrase 'zombie wey na one way' emphasizes the singleness of their path, similar to the idea of a one-way street.

Attention! (Zombie)
Commanding attention again highlights the authoritarian nature of the ruling powers, reducing the individual soldiers to mindless automatons.

Quick march!
The quick march may be seen as a militaristic call to haste or lack of critical thinking, while also emphasizing the necessity of keeping in constant motion to avoid thinking about the morality of the orders given.

Slow march! (Zombie)
In contrast to the quick march, the call for slow movement may be seen as emphasizing the monotony and lack of progress that the soldiers are trapped within.

Left turn!
Turning left may be seen as submissive or following predetermined routes, especially when ordered to do so without the option of deviation or creativity.

Right turn! (Zombie)
Similarly, turning right is seen as following the given order without question or deviation, further emphasizing the lack of critical thinking in the soldiers.

About turn!
The order for a complete turn emphasizes the ways in which the ruling powers can force individuals to turn away from their own morality or values, at the expense of their own well-being or that of others.

Double up! (Zombie)
The call to double up, or move quickly in pairs, may be seen as further emphasizing the necessity to stay close to one another and avoid thinking critically or breaking the mold.

Salute!
Emphasizing the military nature of the song, the call to salute highlights the ways in which obedience to ruling powers can be ingrained in a soldier's psyche, regardless of the morality of the order given.

Open your hat! (Zombie)
The call to open the hat may be seen as emphasizing the necessity of staying alert and vigilant, but also may be interpreted as an arbitrary or meaningless order, further eroding the soldier's autonomy and critical thinking.

Stand at ease!
The order to stand at ease can be seen as emphasizing relaxation, but also implies a rote obedience to the ruling power, regardless of the context or outcome of their actions.

Fall in! (Zombie)
The call to fall in or assemble may be seen as a way to ensure uniformity and a lack of individual autonomy or thought among the soldiers.

Fall out!
The order to fall out or disband may be seen as the temporary respite from the monotony and cycle of violence and horror that the soldiers are trapped within.

Fall down! (Zombie)
The order to 'fall down' may be interpreted in numerous ways, but ultimately highlights the complete surrender of individuality and bodily autonomy that the soldiers are forced to navigate, much like mindless zombies.

Get ready!
The ultimate instruction to 'get ready' once again highlights the monotony and repetitive nature of the soldier's existence, always ready to follow any order, regardless of its morality or consequences.

Halt!
The order to 'halt' provides a temporary respite from the monotony and violence imposed on the soldiers, but ultimately forces them to remain paralyzed and powerless until given the next command.

Order!
The call to 'order' emphasizes the need for the soldiers to remain in a constant state of obedience and regiment, always waiting for the next command without deviation or resistance.

Dismiss!
The ultimate dismissal from duty provides a brief respite from the cycle of mindless violence and obedience that the soldiers are trapped within, but ultimately emphasizes their disposability and lack of individual autonomy and control.