The Guineas Must Unite

INTRO — SPOKEN More than a name upon a map, More than a border drawn— A call across the waters: Come together, carry on! VERSE 1 From Conakry to Kingston, From Bissau to Salvador, From Malabo to Harlem, Hear the knocking at the door. Different tongues and different stories, But a hope we recognise: Let us meet as sisters, brothers, Let us build and let us rise. CHORUS — CALL AND RESPONSE LEAD The Guineas must unite! CHOIR All Black people must unite! LEAD Across the waters, raise the light! CHOIR All Black people must unite! ALL Many roots beneath one sky, Lift each other, lift us high. The Guineas must unite— Let our future come alive! VERSE 2 Let the knowledge cross the ocean, Let the harvest reach the town. Let us fund our children's visions, Let each neighbour's gift be crowned. We have sung about our freedom, Now our hands must do their part: Build the schools and forge the friendships, Give our promises a heart. CHORUS — CALL AND RESPONSE LEAD The Guineas must unite! CHOIR All Black people must unite! LEAD Across the waters, raise the light! CHOIR All Black people must unite! ALL Many roots beneath one sky, Lift each other, lift us high. The Guineas must unite— Let our future come alive! BRIDGE — DRUMS AND CHOIR Keep your language, bring your wisdom. Keep your story, speak your name. We can stand in all our colours With a purpose we proclaim. No one's dignity beneath us, No one's freedom ours to take. We will stand against oppression, We will build for freedom's sake. FINAL CHORUS — FULL CHOIR, HORNS LEAD The Guineas must unite! CHOIR All Black people must unite! LEAD From the homeland to the islands, CHOIR All Black people must unite! ALL Many roots beneath one sky, Lift each other, lift us high. The Guineas must unite— Together, let our people rise! OUTRO — CHANT Bring your story! Bring your light! Hand in hand— We must unite!