Million Voices
Wyclef Jean Feat. African Children's Choir Lyrics
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Ni nduzaricyeza ricyeza
Rwanda, Rwanda
Yeah Rwanda, Rwanda
They said: "Many are called and few are chosen"
But I wish some wasn't chosen
They said: "Meshach Eshach and Abednego
Thrown in the fire but you never get burned"
But I wish that I didn't get burned in Rwanda
They said: "The man is judged according to his works"
So tell me Africa, what's your worth?
There's no money, no diamonds, no fortunes
On this planet that can replace Rwandaâ?¦
Rwanda Rwanda
Yeah, Rwanda Rwanda
These are the cry of the children
Rwanda Rwanda
Anybody hear my cry?
If America, is the United States of America
Then why can't Africa, be the United States of Africa?
And if England, is the United Kingdom,
Then why can't Africa unite all the kingdoms and become United Kingdom of Africa?
Rwanda Rwanda, Rwanda Rwanda
Yeah, yeah
These are the cries of the children, yeah
Can anybody out there hear our cries?
Yeah, heavens cry, Jesus cry
Lord, did you hear us calling you?
Yeah, Rwanda Rwanda
Lord, did you hear us calling?
Can you do something in Rwanda?
Rwanda Rwanda, Rwanda Rwanda
I'm talkin' 'bout Jesus; talkin' 'bout
Rwanda Rwanda Rwanda
Talkin' 'bout â?¦ talk'n 'bout
Talkin' 'bout â?¦ talk'n 'bout
I wanna play my guitar for Rwanda
The lyrics of Million Voices by Wyclef Jean Feat. African Children's Choir reflect on the tragedy that occurred in Rwanda where many innocent people lost their lives in a genocide. The opening verse "Ni dyar'izuba, Rizagaruka, Hejuru yacu, Ni nduzaricyeza ricyeza" is in the Kinyarwanda language and translates to "In the shining sun, To the glory of Rwanda, Above us, I am climbing, higher, higher". The following verses talk about the pain and suffering that took place in the country. The lyrics express the wish of the singer and many others that the genocide never happened and that they did not have to bear witness to it. The song also explores the religious beliefs of the Rwandans and the idea of hope in Jesus addressing the severe consequences of the horrific event.
The song stresses the value of human life and how no amount of money or treasure can replace the importance of life. It also draws attention to the political state of the African continent, proposing that Africa should unite and work together for a common goal. The children's choir in the song adds an extra layer of emotion and represents the innocent victims of the tragedy.
Overall, Million Voices is a call for peace, unity, and hope among the Rwandan people, and African nations as a whole.
Line by Line Meaning
Ni dyar'izuba, Rizagaruka, Hejuru yacu
The sun may set, but it will rise again, above us
Ni nduzaricyeza ricyeza
I will sing, sing
Rwanda, Rwanda
Referencing the country, calling attention to it
They said: "Many are called and few are chosen"
But I wish some wasn't chosen
For the blood spilling of Rwanda
Acknowledging the saying that not everyone can do everything, but wishing that those who committed the atrocities in Rwanda weren't the ones chosen
They said: "Meshach Eshach and Abednego
Thrown in the fire but you never get burned"
But I wish that I didn't get burned in Rwanda
Referencing the biblical story of 3 men who weren't harmed in a fiery furnace, but wishing that the violence in Rwanda didn't personally affect the artist
They said: "The man is judged according to his works"
So tell me Africa, what's your worth?
Noting the idea that a person is judged based on what they do, and questioning what the worth of Africa is when its people are suffering
There's no money, no diamonds, no fortunes
On this planet that can replace Rwanda
Stating that no amount of wealth or possessions could ever replace the value of Rwanda
These are the cry of the children
Anybody hear my cry?
The following lines are the voices of the children, and they ask if anyone is listening
If America, is the United States of America
Then why can't Africa, be the United States of Africa?
Drawing a comparison between the United States and Africa, and asking why Africa can't be united as well
And if England, is the United Kingdom,
Then why can't Africa unite all the kingdoms and become United Kingdom of Africa?
Continuing the comparison, and suggesting that if England can have a united kingdom, then Africa can as well
Yeah, heavens cry, Jesus cry
Lord, did you hear us calling you?
Yeah, Rwanda Rwanda
Lord, did you hear us calling?
Can you do something in Rwanda?
Pleading for divine intervention, asking if God hears the cries of those in Rwanda and if He can do something to help
Talkin' 'bout â?¦ talk'n 'bout
Talkin' 'bout â?¦ talk'n 'bout
I wanna play my guitar for Rwanda
Reiterating the desire to do something for Rwanda, and specifically mentioning playing music as a way to help
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WYCLEF JEAN, JERRY DUPLESSIS, ANDREA GUERRA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Belovedfire
Ni ryari izuba, Rizagaruka
Hejuru yacu ni nd' uzaricyeza ricyeza
Ni ryari izuba, Rizagaruka
Hejuru yacu ni nd' uzaricyeza
Rwanda, Rwanda
Yeah, Rwanda, Rwanda
They said: "Many are called and few are chosen"
But I wish some wasn't chosen
For the blood spilling of Rwanda
They said: "Meshach Shadrach and Abednego
Thrown in the fire but they never got burned"
But I wish that I didn't get burned in Rwanda
They said: "The man is judged according to his works"
So tell me Africa, what's your worth?
There's no money, no diamonds, no fortunes
On this planet that can replace Rwanda
Rwanda Rwanda
Yeah, Rwanda Rwanda
These are the cry of the children
Rwanda Rwanda
Anybody hear my cry?
If America, is the United States of America
Then why can't Africa, be the United States of Africa?
And if England, is the United Kingdom
Then why can't Africa unite all the kingdoms
And become United Kingdom of Africa?
Rwanda Rwanda, Rwanda Rwanda
Yeah, yeah
These are the cries of the children, yeah
Can anybody out there hear our cries?
Yeah, heavens cry, Jesus cry
Lord, did you hear us calling you?
Yeah, Rwanda Rwanda
Lord, did you hear us calling?
Can you do something in Rwanda?
Rwanda Rwanda, Rwanda Rwanda
I'm talking 'bout Jesus; talking 'bout
Rwanda Rwanda Rwanda
Talking 'bout... talking 'bout...
Talking 'bout... talking 'bout...
I wanna play my guitar for Rwanda
@ndahiroderrickalter2912
Here in April 2024 , this song still hits hard 😢
@festussostenes4189
Yesterday I was watching Hotel Rwanda and today 'Sometimes in April'... Got so sad 😔 😔
@dorismugisha3647
My Rwanda is now shining! I 'm proud for that! Wycliffe should come back and see how developed we are
@gedeonsuley6792
Pray for us
@maltesefamily7041
Neighbours slaughtering each other cos pallet of machetes was dropped I don't impinge my Neighbours doing same shit
@manonfire92
@@maltesefamily7041go away man
@shadrecklungu2104
I live in Rwanda, so beautiful ❤❤❤
@DanielAdepoju-vr5to
2_thumbs_up! 4Wyclef❤
@ndahiroderrickalter2912
Proud to say that we rose again …. Now Rwanda is a beckon of hope ❤
@edringo9442
I'm a white guy from Canada. I have visited Rwanda maybe twenty times. It will be the country I live out my years. The most exciting country in the world.