my Africa of proud warriors inancestral savannahsAfrica of whom mygrandmother singsOn the banks of the distantriverI have never known youBut your blood flows in myveinsYour beautiful black bloodthat irrigates the fieldsThe blood of your sweatThe sweat of your workThe work of your slaveryAfrica, tell me AfricaIs this your back that isunbentThis back that never breaksunder the weight ofhumiliationThis back trembling with redscarsAnd saying no to the whipunder the midday sunBut a grave voice