Africa Must Wake Up
Nas & Damian Marley Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Morning to you man
Morning to you love
Hey, I say I say

Africa must wake up
The sleeping sons of Jacob
For what tomorrow may bring
May a better day come
Yesterday we were Kings
Can you tell me young ones
Who are we today, yeah now

Africa must wake up
The sleeping sons of Jacob
For what tomorrow may bring
May a better day come
Yesterday we were Kings
Can you tell me young ones
Who are we today, yeah now

The black oasis
Ancient Africa the sacred
Awaken the sleeping giant
Science, Art is your creation
I dreamt that we could visit Old Kemet
Your history is too complex and rigid
For some western critics
They want the whole subject diminished
But Africa's the origin of all the world's religions
We praised bridges that carried us over
The battle front of Sudanic soldiers
The task put before us
Ya hear me out

Africa must wake up
The sleeping sons of Jacob
For what tomorrow may bring
May a better day come
Yesterday we were Kings
Can you tell me young ones
Who are we today, yeah now

Africa must wake up
The sleeping sons of Jacob
For what tomorrow may bring
May a better day come
Yesterday we were Kings
Can you tell me young ones
Who are we today, yeah now

Who are we today?
The slums, diseases, AIDS
We need all that to fade
We cannot be afraid
So who are we today?
We are the morning after
The make shift youth
The slave ship captured
Our diaspora, is the final chapter
The ancestral lineage built pyramids
Americas first immigrant
The Kings sons and daughters from Nile waters
The first architect, the first philosophers, astronomers
The first prophets and doctors was us

Now can we all pray
Each in his own way
Teaching and learning
And we can work it out
We'll have a warm bed
We'll have some warm bread
And shelter from the storm dread
And we can work it out
Mother Nature feeds all
In famine and drought
Tell those selfish in ways
Not to share us out
What's a tree without root
Lion without tooth
A lie without truth
You hear me out

Africa must wake up
The sleeping sons of Jacob
For what tomorrow may bring
May a better day come
Yesterday we were Kings
Can you tell me young ones
Who are we today
Ye lord
Well Africa must wake up
The sleeping sons of Jacob
For what tomorrow may bring
May some more love come
Yesterday we were Kings
I'll tell you young blood
This world is yours today

Dadyahow daali waayey, nabada diideen
Oo ninkii doortay dinta, waadinka dillee
Oo dal markii ladhiso, waadinka dunshee
Oo daacad ninkii damcay, waadinka dooxee
Dadyahow daali waayey, nabada diideen
Oo ninkii doortay dinta, waadinka dillee




Oo dal markii ladhiso, waadinka dunshee
Oo daacad ninkii damcay, waadinka dooxee

Overall Meaning

In "Africa Must Wake Up," Nas and Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley highlight the importance of African unity and the need to preserve African culture and heritage. The song argues that Africa must wake up from its sleep and reclaim its ancient glory. The "sleeping sons of Jacob" referred to in the song symbolize the descendants of Africa who have been oppressed and suppressed for years.


The song also touches on the vast contributions that Africa has made to the world, including its religions, philosophy, medicine, and architecture. Nas and Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley ask the young generation to learn about their ancestry and take pride in their African heritage. They urge for a brighter future for Africa and its people.


Overall, "Africa Must Wake Up" is a call to action for Africa to rise and shine, to awaken from its slumber, and to take its rightful place in the world.


Line by Line Meaning

Africa must wake up
It is imperative for Africa to awaken from its slumber


The sleeping sons of Jacob
The African people who are currently dormant and inattentive to their potential


For what tomorrow may bring
In anticipation of a better future


May a better day come
Hoping for a brighter tomorrow


Yesterday we were Kings
Referring to Africa's rich and powerful history


Can you tell me young ones
Asking the younger generation to reflect on Africa's current state


Who are we today, yeah now
Questioning what Africa represents today


The black oasis
Africa, a place of refuge and natural beauty


Ancient Africa the sacred
Acknowledging Africa's sacred and spiritual history


Awaken the sleeping giant
Calling for a reawakening of Africa's potential


Science, Art is your creation
Recognizing Africa's contributions to science and art


I dreamt that we could visit Old Kemet
Expressing a desire to rediscover Africa's ancient past


Your history is too complex and rigid
Acknowledging that Africa's history is not fully understood or easily explained


For some western critics
Referring to those who may not fully appreciate Africa's contributions


They want the whole subject diminished
These critics want to downplay Africa's significance


But Africa's the origin of all the world's religions
Defending Africa's prominent religious history


We praised bridges that carried us over
Recognizing the past struggles Africa has overcome


The battle front of Sudanic soldiers
Paying homage to Africa's warriors and military history


The task put before us
Referring to the challenges that lie ahead for Africa


Ya hear me out
Asking the listener to pay attention to the message


The slums, diseases, AIDS
Referring to current issues that plague Africa


We need all that to fade
Expressing a desire for Africa's struggles to be resolved


We cannot be afraid
Encouraging Africa to not give into fear


We are the morning after
Describing Africa as a new beginning


The make shift youth
Referring to the younger generation that has to adapt to a changing world


The slave ship captured
Reflecting on Africa's dark past and the slave trade


Our diaspora, is the final chapter
Recognizing the influence of the African diaspora around the world


The ancestral lineage built pyramids
Celebrating Africa's ancient architectural achievements


Americas first immigrant
Highlighting the impact of Africa on the Americas


The Kings sons and daughters from Nile waters
Describing the descendents of African royalty


The first architect, the first philosophers, astronomers
Celebrating Africa's contributions to humanity


The first prophets and doctors was us
Acknowledging Africa's spiritual and medical history


Now can we all pray
Encouraging a sense of unity and spirituality


Each in his own way
Emphasizing the importance of individuality and diversity


Teaching and learning
Encouraging a culture of education


And we can work it out
Expressing a hope for collaboration and progress


We'll have a warm bed
Describing basic necessities that everyone should have


We'll have some warm bread
Describing basic necessities that everyone should have


And shelter from the storm dread
Describing basic necessities that everyone should have


Mother Nature feeds all
Emphasizing the importance of the natural world


In famine and drought
Highlighting the challenges Africa faces with regard to agriculture


Tell those selfish in ways
Addressing those who may not prioritize the needs of others


Not to share us out
Encouraging a spirit of generosity and community


What's a tree without root
Highlighting the importance of roots and ancestry


Lion without tooth
Highlighting the importance of strength and power


A lie without truth
Stressing the importance of honesty and authenticity


Ye lord
Addressing a higher power


Well Africa must wake up
Reiterating the importance of Africa's awakening


May some more love come
Expressing a desire for more love in the world


I'll tell you young blood
Addressing the younger generation directly


This world is yours today
Encouraging the younger generation to take ownership of their future


Dadyahow daali waayey, nabada diideen
Somali phrase meaning 'Peace will triumph'


Oo ninkii doortay dinta, waadinka dillee
Somali phrase meaning 'The one who chooses their religion is better than the one who inherited it'


Oo dal markii ladhiso, waadinka dunshee
Somali phrase meaning 'When you leave your country, you lose your dignity'


Oo daacad ninkii damcay, waadinka dooxee
Somali phrase meaning 'The one who learns will always be leader, the one who ignores will always be slave'




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KEINAN WARSAME, NASIR JONES, DAMIAN MARLEY, SHIAH COORE, COURTNEY DIEDRICK, PHILLIP WINTA

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