Songs of a Drummer Boy
A Drummer Boy is one in Yoruba language who recites the eulogy of his roots and history. The poem is just a rendition in praise of the Author's root and tradition. He is a Yoruba, one of the largest ethnic group from western Nigeria. Enjoy!!!!!!
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Drummer Boy
Drummer boy
Oh remember the words of the Elders,
“However long the night,
The dawn will break”
Sitting at the banks
Of Osun
Recounting the tale
Of Osun’s beauty
And deity
Even Ogun
In his valor and might
Could not resist her appeals.
Oh Moremi and her natural charms
Is easily not forgotten
Which brought the enemy kingdom
To great harm
Drummer Boy
Drummer boy
O’ remember the stories
Of Olumo’s courage
As she protected her children
From external threats by hiding
Them in her caves
And Idanre’s greatness
When she harbored ancient communities
On her peak
Oh Drummer Boy
Forget not Afonja’s revolt
And how he led
Oyo to its final decline
He was a Traitor
Like Bashorun Ga’a
Who committed treasonable felonies
Drummer Boy
Drummer Boy
You must stand firm
Like Opa’ Oranmiyan
When you face
External invasion,
You must never lose your home
Again
Drummer boy
Oh pour out
Your melodious verse
As You recite the elegy
And great epic of your root
O’ remember the brute
Forces that enslaved the women of Owu,
Do not be dissuaded,
For Owu shall rise again………….
Drummer Boy
Drummer boy
You are a proud son
Of the soil
Omo Ile Ele ga
Oh Drummer Boy
Drummer boy!!!!!
Remember the tales of your past,
Remember your ancestral link
And remember you are a progeny
Of Oduduwa…………….
Remember the myth of
The dancing forest,
Remember the stories and cleverness
Of Ijakpa the tortoise
Drummer Boy
Oh never forget
the moral lessons
Taught in the “Tales by Moonlight”
“Charity begins at home”
For home is where you belong
Let your drum talk,
As it pass down this oral tradition
To the next generation
You are a son of Olodumare
You are a child of God
Drummer Boy Drummer Boy!!!!!
“You shall stand tall if you stand
On the shoulders of your Ancestors”
By David Adejumo
From: Nigeria
Instagram: dave_junior12
Twitter: Davisco81374