Àfrica
M. A. Shoeb Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ship ahoi, ship ahoi, ship ahoi, ship ahoi
Ship ahoi, ship ahoi, ship ahoi, ship ahoi
Ship ahoi, ship ahoi, ship ahoi, ship ahoi
(Ship ahoi)

In the motion of the ocean, hear the cold wind blowing

Down the ocean a ship comes riding through the waves
Filled with hundreds of men they take as slaves
Just long for their true homeland, Africa
And to be saved, they want to be free

Men, women and baby slaves
Coming to the land of liberty, liberty

Ship ahoi, ship ahoi, ship ahoi, ship ahoi
(Ship ahoi)
Ship ahoi, ship ahoi, ship ahoi, ship ahoi
(Ship ahoi)

They are tired of waiting for a brand new day
Some of them sing and chant, some of them pray
And some men got a little tired too
No one knows if the journey pay

Ship ahoi, ship ahoi, ship ahoi, ship ahoi
(Ship ahoi)
Ship ahoi, ship ahoi, ship ahoi, ship ahoi
(Ship ahoi)

Down the ocean a ship comes riding through the waves
Filled with hundreds of men they take as slaves
Just long for their true homeland, Africa
And to be saved, they want to be free

Men, women and baby slaves
Coming to the land of liberty, liberty

Ship ahoi, ship ahoi, ship ahoi, ship ahoi
(Ship ahoi)
Ship ahoi, ship ahoi, ship ahoi, ship ahoi
(Ship ahoi)

Ship ahoi, ship ahoi, ship ahoi, ship ahoi
(Ship ahoi)




Ship ahoi, ship ahoi, ship ahoi, ship ahoi
(Ship ahoi)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of M.A. Shoeb's "Africa" describe the horrific journey taken by slaves captured from Africa and transported across the Atlantic to the Americas. The song begins with the repeated refrain of "ship ahoi" which evokes the arrival of the slave ships. The lyrics then describe the harsh conditions on board the ship, with the "cold wind blowing" and the slaves longing to return to their homeland in Africa.


The song then shifts to the slaves' arrival in the "land of liberty," referring to the United States, where they hope to be free. The lyrics emphasize the presence of men, women, and even babies among the slaves who were forced into bondage. The repetition of "ship ahoi" throughout the song reinforces the image of the slave ship's arrival and departure, highlighting the ongoing cycle of captivity and exploitation.


The lyrics of "Africa" ultimately serve as a powerful commentary on the history of slavery and the legacy of colonialism, highlighting the ways in which the African people were forcibly uprooted from their homeland and brought to a foreign land to be held in bondage for generations.


Line by Line Meaning

Ship ahoi, ship ahoi, ship ahoi, ship ahoi
The repeated call for attention of a ship sailing across the ocean carrying slaves.


In the motion of the ocean, hear the cold wind blowing
Amidst the ocean's waves and gusty winds, the cries of enslaved men echo through the air.


Down the ocean a ship comes riding through the waves Filled with hundreds of men they take as slaves Just long for their true homeland, Africa And to be saved, they want to be free Men, women and baby slaves Coming to the land of liberty, liberty
A gruesome reality of a ship transporting human beings to be sold as slaves, yearning for their home in Africa and dreaming of the freedom promised by their destination.


They are tired of waiting for a brand new day Some of them sing and chant, some of them pray And some men got a little tired too No one knows if the journey pay
The desperation and uncertainty of the enslaved people as they grow weary and unsure if their journey towards supposed freedom will bring the change they seek.


Ship ahoi, ship ahoi, ship ahoi, ship ahoi
A reminder of the ongoing torment of those on board the ship, crying out for help and attention.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KENNETH GAMBLE, KENNY GAMBLE, LEON HUFF

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions