Lyrics
He said he had a dream
Expressing someone's claim to have had a dream.
Where the colour of your skin didn't get you killed
Desiring a world where racial discrimination doesn't lead to death.
And teargas would no longer sting
Imagining a future where the use of tear gas is no longer a threat.
But his children still toyi-toyi 1and sing
Children participating in the South African dance and protest, "toyi-toyi," while singing.
Toyi-toyi and sing
Reiteration of the children engaging in "toyi-toyi" and singing.
It's a deadly game
Describing the struggle for justice as a dangerous and lethal game.
The rules aren't even all the same
Highlighting the lack of consistent rules in this struggle.
Hashtag fame
Referencing the desire for fame in the context of social media activism (hashtag fame).
Pray you don't see an early grave
Expressing a hope to avoid premature death in the fight for justice.
An early grave
Reiterating the fear of an early grave in the pursuit of justice.
The promised land
Referring to the utopian vision of a better future, often associated with equality and justice.
He he saw it
Confirming the visionary experience of witnessing the promised land in a dream.
In a dream
Reiteration of the dream-like nature of the vision of the promised land.
He he saw it
The promised land
Restating the concept of the promised land from the dream.
Stand up gotta keep going
Encouraging perseverance and determination in the ongoing struggle for justice.
Aluta ongoing
Using the term "Aluta ongoing" to emphasize that the fight continues.
On and on and on
Expressing the continuity of the struggle.
Keep on and on and on
Emphasizing the need to persist and endure.
Fist up
Advocating for unity and continued resistance with a raised fist.
gotta keep going
Reiterating the importance of perseverance and moving forward.
March on march on
Calling for a collective march forward in the fight for justice.
Keep going
Encouraging persistence in the face of challenges.
On and on and on
Emphasizing the ongoing nature of the struggle.
Keep on and on and on
Reiterating the importance of continuous resistance.
Run run run children run
Encouraging the younger generation to run, possibly metaphorically urging them to take action.
Coz when all is said and done
Expressing that, ultimately, nothing changes significantly, but the fight continues.
Nothing is new under the sun
Reflecting on the cyclical nature of struggles throughout history.
But I keep my head up for my son
Maintaining hope and determination for the sake of future generations.
For my son
Specifically referencing the commitment to the fight for justice for one's offspring.
Don't give up the fight
Encouraging resilience and perseverance in the struggle for justice.
Your black badge of Africa must shine bright
Symbolizing pride in African identity and encouraging its visibility.
Guiding the children so they'll see
Guiding the next generation to envision a world where freedom is a reality.
A world where they are truly free
Expressing the aspiration for true freedom for future generations.
Truly free
Reiterating the desire for genuine freedom in the promised land.
It's the promised land
Emphasizing the ultimate goal of reaching the promised land.
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