Fortress Chains

{solo wooden flute playing a mournful pentatonic melody} {distant,

slow

talking drum rhythms

echoing} {ocean waves crashing gently in

background}

By the shores of Cape Coast,

the stones hold the sighs We stood in the dark where the

cold water cries

A doorway of no return,

locking our fate

Whispers of freedom

outside of the gate {fingerpicked

acoustic

guitar enters, dry close-mic'd vocal} Oh,

Gold Coast,

your children are gone (carrying the flame) But the drum in our

chest

keeps on beating till dawn

(always the same)

We will rise from the deep,

we will sing of the land

{soaring

layered vocals with warm organic shakers} Bound in the belly

of timber and chain But the rhythm of Volta still runs through

our vein

No ocean can wash out the names of our kings

In every new soil,

the diaspora sings {subtle bass drum pulse starts,

dynamic

vocal build}

Oh, Gold Coast, your children are gone (carrying the flame) But the

drum in our chest

keeps on beating till dawn (always the same) We will rise from

the deep, we will sing of the land {full percussion ensemble bursts

in, joyous and powerful}

We remember Ghana

(we return, we return) {instruments slowly fade to reveal the solitary talking

drum} {mournful wooden flute

plays final

fading note}