The
revolution of the people continues
Which
no retrogressive forces could discontinue
For
it draws its strength from the people’s will
To
cure the country of its many ills
It
moves along steadily day by day
Smashing
all barriers on its way
It
bulldozes old structures into dust and clay
And
paves further its broad highway
The
2nd Republic – Republic of Paradox
Autocratic,
they claimed to be solid like rocks
They
condemned colonialism to demonstrate bravery
As
well as the shameful institution of slavery
But
we’ve seen here detainees brought before Court of law
To
be tried fairly according to law
They
clamped metal chains around their feet
As
they walked heavily under the heat
Guided,
they walked slowly to the court room
Where
they feared to face the inevitable Doom
The
angry crowd cried: Justice! Justice! Justice!
But
where judges are obstructed, there can’t be justice
The
2nd Republic promised us transparency
But
instead had given us obscurity
It
promised us, day one, accountability
But
reserved itself exclusive right to immunity
The
2nd Republic condemned western slavery
Only
to introduce Local slavery
They
promised to protect Gambia’s good reputation
But
plunged it into discredit and isolation
Today,
we pay tribute to comrades of the Revolution
When
all eyes can see the bright horizon
When
after many years in darkness we groped
In
search of the gateway to the growing HOPE
We
pay tribute to our brothers of FOROYAA
To
comrades Sidia Jatta and Halifa Sallah
To
Comrades Sam Sarr and O. Sillah
And
all other Comrades of this Newspaper
To
our comrades Pape Saine and Dawda Jawo
To
our sister A. Sillah and comrades A. Jallow
To
all comrades who live among here
And
those residing in the Diaspora
To
Comrade Deyda Hydara, symbol of patriotism
Who
was gunned down in the battlefield of journalism
To
chief Manneh and all those who met similar fate
Their
dedication to duty must we emulate
To
Ousainou Darboe, O.J Jallow, who at an early age
Had
boldly climbed up the political stage
To
talk to the people about political and social rights
And
the way forward to the emerging light
The
Revolution of the people continues
Which
no reactionary forces could discontinue
Its
power is the people; author of change
So
no stronger power to turn to, in exchange
The
3rd Republic is well set in motion
Driven
by the inexhaustible fuel of the revolution
It
resolves to work restlessly towards our Destiny
Peace,
Progress and Prosperity
El
Malick FAAL
