Song of the Drum
Embracing Ancestral Beats
Lyrics
Spirit of the drum come speak in your tongue
Spirit of the drum is invoked to communicate in its own language.
The language of the song of the soul
Refers to the language of the soul's song expressed through the drum.
It's the spirit of the drum that sings the song
It's the essence of the drum that sings about the creation of life residing within the singer's bones.
Of creation of life in my bones
Describes the song of creation and life emanating from within.
It's the beat of my heart, it's the sound of my ancestors
Connects the beat of the heart to the sound of ancestors, carrying their legacy.
Singing their memory through me
The singer embodies the memories of ancestors, singing through their lineage.
For they live on in the beat of the drum
Emphasizes the continuity of ancestors' existence within the drum's rhythm.
Awakening when we call them
Implies the awakening of ancestors' spirits upon invocation.
Chorus
Beginning of the chorus.
We call with the drum Haiyeaaa
Using the drum as a medium to call out.
We call to heart Haiyeeayo
Calling out from the heart.
We call to the drum Haiyeaaa
Repetition of calling with the drum.
We call with the heart Haiyeeayo
Reiteration of calling from the heart.
Calling, we're calling, we're calling, we're calling,
Continued emphasis on the act of calling.
we're calling, Haiyaiyaiyaiyo
Further emphasis on the act of calling with a rhythmic sound.
Return to the Earth, the elders dreamed this
Encouragement to return to the Earth as foreseen by elders.
Our grandfathers dreamed us
Recognition that ancestors had envisioned the existence of present generations.
The ancient ones saw this
Acknowledgement of insights from ancient times about the current state.
A time for remembering, a time for believing
Indicates a period for recalling and believing in preservation.
To protect what gives life, to protect all that's sacred
To safeguard life and all that is revered.
I give myself to the great remembering
Offering oneself to the collective memory of ancestors.
May the smoke of my prayer light the path that I walk
Praying for guidance and illumination while traversing life's path.
Let go, let go, let go and surrender
Advocating for surrender and letting go of control.
I am of the Earth and my life is yours
Declaration of belongingness to the Earth and dedication of life.
CHORUS
Repeat of the chorus.
The heartbeat of the drum Haiyeaaa
Highlighting the drum's heartbeat as an essential element.
The drum beat of the heart Haiyeaaayo
Connecting the drum's beat to the heartbeat.
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