rode klei

every morning
when it is time to pray

for the finest things
for the finest things
that the future brings

red clay, on the road
all you need to know
red clay, on the road
searching for his soul

when you were learning
were acquiring knowledge
your origins were already known
the mother milk that fed you
still essential for your growth

red clay, on the road
all you need to know
red clay, on the road
searching for his soul

he starts by learning the alphabet
and progressively learns about his culture
he then learns about his roots
the boy becomes a man

why not take advantage
of the bright morning sun
instead of closing your window

the boy becomes a man
does the best he can
guided by the light
guided by the light
going to do what’s right

red clay, on the road
all you need to know
red clay, on the road
searching for his soul

he starts by learning the alphabet
and little by little, learns more


~Youssou N'Dour~
(Joko, 2000)