Lyrics
Fanga alafia
Aug 1st
(J. Campbell, traditional)
Fanga Alafia Ashe Ashe
Ikabo Alafia Ashe Ashe
Welcome to our world today
Good health to you always
Peace is my intention
and motivates what I say
Look into my eyes again
I want to make sure you are a friend
Trust should be expected
With innocence as a trend
No tricks up our sleeves
No war, no disease
We only come in peace
“Fanga” is a mystery
It could mean anything
“Alafia” translates as welcome
Good health to you and peace
“Ashe” is authority
Vital life-force energy
The word for inner power
That exists in everything
“Ikabo” I don’t know
Forgiveness some say so
David wants to sing about burritos!!!
(*tip of the hat to Speedy Gonzales)
Hippopotomous amphibius
Aug 1st
(J. Campbell)
The hippopotamus is semi-aquatic
living in the rivers and lakes
Aggressive creatures that kill lots of people
They can bite you right in two
Hippos look like pigs and other ungulates
Even though they’re cetaceans
Kenyapotamus the fossil example
16 million years ago today
The hippopotamus once lived in the forest and plains
He grew fatter and fatter and fatter because he ate all day
I want to live in the river! Please oh Lord. It’s Way too hot
I want to live with the fishes. Please oh Lord. The sun won’t stop!
The Lord N’gai told the hippo that he did love the fish
and that a hippo in the water would treat each one as a dish
You must change your eating habits I will protect the fish
And they are very dear to me, oh no, I cannot grant your wish
The hippopotamus thought about the wishes of the Lord
And how happy he would be if he were hot no more
Lord I won’t eat even one and I will prove this
I will spread my dung on the banks and show no bones from fish
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