Rise
Seun Kuti Lyrics


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Our ear don full for your words
Our stomach still empty
Our ear don full for your words
Our stomach still empty
Our ear don full for your words
Our stomach still empty
Our ear don full for your words
Our stomach still empty
Our ear don full for your words
Our stomach still empty

I dey cry for my country
When I see am in the hands of these people

Yea yea
I dey cry for my country
When I see am in the hands of these people

Yea yea
I dey cry for Africa
When I see am in the hands of these people

Yea yea
Yea Yea na business dem dey take am dey do
Yeparipa

Na business to dem ohohoh

Na business dem dey take our country dey do

Na business to dem ohohoh
Na business dem dey do that′s why dem dey share am like oga

Na business to dem ohohoh
Na business dem dey do that's why dem no dey share am with the people

Na business to dem ohohoh
Na business dem dey do, dem dey sell our continent away

Dem dey sell am every day and dem dey bring the people down (them dey bring us down)
Our children no dey chop and we still no get work
(Ko si se lode oh)
Dem dey sell am every day an dem dey bring the people down
(Won wow a n le ho)
We must rise up one day
We must rise up

We must rise up I say
We must rise up I say
We must rise up against the petroleum companies
We dey use our oil to destroy our land oh ho
We must rise against the diamond companies
Wey dey use our brothers as slave for the stone
We must rise against our African rulers
Wey be black man for face, white man for yansh
We must rise against companies like Mosanto and Halliburton
Wey dey use their food to make my people hungry

Oh yes, we must rise

Rise Rise Rise up
To grow our own food

Rise Rise Rise up
For our children to go school

Rise Rise Rise up
Make we get work to do

Rise Rise Rise up




Make our life go dey better
Rise Rise Rise up

Overall Meaning

Seun Kuti's song "Rise" is a political commentary about the state of Africa and the corruption of its leaders. The repeated line "Our ear don full for your words, our stomach still empty" perfectly captures the frustration felt by many people in Africa who are promised change and prosperity by politicians but receive little in return. The lyrics are a call to action for Africans to rise up against those who take advantage of their resources and bring them down.


The second verse of the song shifts the focus to Africa as a whole, with Seun Kuti crying for the continent when he sees it in the hands of corrupt people. He repeats the phrase "na business dem dey do" to emphasize that the exploitation of Africa and its people is done for profit. The consequences of this exploitation are felt by ordinary Africans who struggle to make ends meet and provide for their families.


The final part of the song gives a clear message of what needs to be done to uplift Africa. Seun Kuti calls on Africans to rise up against the petroleum and diamond companies that are causing destruction and enslavement, as well as the corrupt rulers who are in cahoots with them. He also mentions Monsanto and Halliburton, companies that are taking advantage of the continent's agriculture.


Overall, "Rise" is a powerful and thought-provoking commentary on the struggles of Africa and its people, and a call to action for a better future.


Line by Line Meaning

Our ear don full for your words
We are tired of hearing empty promises


Our stomach still empty
We are still suffering from poverty


I dey cry for my country
I am sad for my country


When I see am in the hands of these people
When I see it under the control of corrupt officials


Yea Yea na business dem dey take am dey do
Yes, they are doing it for their own selfish interests


Na business dem dey take our country dey do
They are using our country for their own business purposes


Na business dem dey do that′s why dem dey share am like oga
They are not sharing the profits fairly because of their business interests


Na business dem dey do that's why dem no dey share am with the people
They don't share the profits with the citizens because of their selfish interests


Na business dem dey do, dem dey sell our continent away
They are selling our continent for their own business purposes


Dem dey sell am every day and dem dey bring the people down (them dey bring us down)
They are selling our resources every day and it is making the citizens suffer


Our children no dey chop and we still no get work (Ko si se lode oh)
Our children are starving and we are still unemployed


Won wow a n le ho
They are making us suffer


We must rise up one day
We need to fight back


We must rise up against the petroleum companies
We need to fight against oil companies that destroy our land


We dey use our oil to destroy our land oh ho
We are destroying our land with the oil we extract


We must rise against the diamond companies
We need to fight against companies that use our brothers as slaves for diamonds


Wey dey use our brothers as slave for the stone
That use our people as slaves for diamonds


We must rise against our African rulers
We need to fight against our corrupt leaders


Wey be black man for face, white man for yansh
Who are black on the outside, but act like white people


We must rise against companies like Mosanto and Halliburton
We need to fight against corporations that use their food to make people hungry


Wey dey use their food to make my people hungry
Who use their food to make the citizens suffer


To grow our own food
We need to be self-sufficient and grow our own food


For our children to go school
We need to provide education for our children


Make we get work to do
We need to create jobs


Make our life go dey better
We need to improve our lives




Writer(s): Seun Kuti

Contributed by Julia F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Oke Oghenekowhegba

Am a black man living in Europe walking to work on a cold winter night, listening to this on my headphones and am shedding tears.

Noor M.

@Para Celus That’s an ignorant comment. You can know that ruling powers want to keep humanity divided while still recognizing our identity and race has a huge impact on daily life.

Para Celus

Can't you identify yourself as just a man. Identity culture is often being made to be divisive nowadays. I have also walked on cold wet snowing challenging nights which is not pleasant but real. It challenges us personally but can anyone person or group make a change. What is culture? Think on it my fellow person. PS: Great music

Elisabeth Scott

"Rise up against the petroleum companies . . . diamond companies . . . companies like Monsanto" OH YEAHHHHH!!!! Thanks Seun Kuti! My new musical hero. Elisa

Keldorl

I just can't express how much this song resonates with my soul.

Kudos on such a great music Seun and Egypt 80.
Sincerely from Brazil

And yes, we MUST rise.

yemi odejobi

Seun Kuti is good like his legend father Fela Rip. Have no doubt he's his own man with his own style, his bro Femi is equally unique n talented. great family. luv them all .

Jennycolin Preen

rototom reggae sunsplash Benacassim Spain 13th august 2017

jurgen furjurgen

Seun and his big incredible band seen in Valence (France) past thursday!!!
Fantastic and generous show!!! So much guts, "joie de vivre" and energy communicated to the public!!! Thanks thanks thanks!!!! Unbelievable the lack of view for their videos on you tube!!!

Paulo Mariante

Salve a grande mãe África, que nos brinda com tantas maravilhas. Axé, Seun Kuti!

Somali girl Somali

Can't get enough of this song❤ So Deep and meaningful!!

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