We search for glories to count,
In these forty years what gain,
Which song to sing, which tune?
Shout the victory or mourn the waste,
Jump for joy or bow in shame.
Rejoice that one we remain,
That these cracked walls are yet to fall,
Or cry for all the blood and souls,
Sacrificed on Unity's thirsty altar,
To light a lamp that just won't glow.
Celebrate the coups, our saviour soldiers,
Three of four decades lost to brigandage,
Fellow Nigerians betrayed, the promised land plundered,
No melody from martial music's mournful notes,
Who'll restore these years, who'll return our lives?
Our laurels on the field of play,
Inspire applause, O se o Baba,
Though defeats abound for our ransom athletes,
Cash is the goal, we'll win, don't plan,
A game of near misses, a run of underachievement.
We thank you for this oil Lord, we are grateful,
Forgive the waste and the thieves that drain us,
We raped the Delta, we killed her children,
But oil is the blood that says we'll see tomorrow,
Forever let it gush, God don't let it dry.
We lead on the corrupt and crooked way,
The straight and narrow is not a Nigerian road,
Harassed and shamed worldwide, the green passport,
The banner without stain to hand to our children,
Is now a rag, soiled beyond bleaching.
You that cut the fortieth cake,
Are you the one, dare we hope again?
That the light will once more shine on this land,
God, fate and our hopes unite,
In you torchbearer, you must not fail.
