(Gentle guitar fingerpicking begins)
Yeah, yeah
Listen to the rhythm of the soil
Listen to the rhythm of our history
From Mungulube to the world
We celebrate the day we stood tall
One, two, three, let us move
“Tiyeni Tikondwele Ufulu! – Let Us Celebrate Freedom!”
Celebrating 24th October 1964 | Mungulube Primary School
Style: Upbeat African celebration rhythm with Bemba, Nyanja and English.
Mood: Powerful, joyful, patriotic and easy for teachers and learners to sing together
Early morning sun is rising high
Over the fields of Mungulube so wide
The learners gather with a happy soul
To reach the target is our only goal
We pull the weeds, we watch the rows align
Working together, everything is fine
It is October, twenty-fourth of sixty-four
We remember the day we opened up the door
To freedom’s light, a brand new way to be
Singing the songs of a country set free
Oh, Mungulube, hear the rhythm play
Celebrating our Independence Day
Rhumba in the field, moving to the beat
Dancing on the earth with the rhythm in our feet
Independence, freedom, shining in the sun
For every learner, the journey has begun
We hold our heads up high, we walk with pride
With the spirit of our nation right by our side
Gift, Kapambwe, come and sing!
All:
Zambia's freedom makes our hearts sing!
Lead Singer:
Mildred, Joyce, lift your voice!
All:
In a free Zambia, we rejoice!
Lead Singer:
Roydah, Nankolongo, dance along!
All:
Zambia's freedom is our song!
Lead Singer:
Izu, Mapalo, Mapenzi, let's go!
Look at the children in their uniforms
Learning the history that life informs
October twenty-fourth is etched in gold
A story of courage that must be told
We plant the seeds of knowledge in the dirt
Healing the spirit, curing every hurt
Keep the tempo, listen to the bass
Bringing a smile to every single face
Rhumba rhythm guiding every hand
Building the future for our motherland
Oh, Mungulube, hear the rhythm play
Celebrating our Independence Day
Rhumba in the field, moving to the beat
Dancing on the earth with the rhythm in our feet
Independence, freedom, shining in the sun
For every learner, the journey has begun
We hold our heads up high, we walk with pride
With the spirit of our nation right by our side
Lead Singer: Who are we?
All: We are Zambians!
Lead Singer: What do we celebrate?
All: Our Independence!
Lead Singer: When did Zambia gain freedom?
All: Twenty-fourth October, 1964!
Lead Singer: What is our motto?
All: ONE ZAMBIA, ONE NATION!
Sixty-four, the year we found our way
Still burning bright, this glorious day
Learners of today, leaders of tomorrow
Leaving behind the echoes of the sorrow
Just keep the groove, keep the guitar sweet
Moving our bodies to the steady beat
Who is leading us? Chilufya Justine!
All:
Headteacher wathu, you lead us to shine!
Lead Singer:
Mushinge Kephas, Mwaku Alex, hear our song!
All:
Deputy heads, you help us move along!
Lead Singer:
Mulambya Victor, senior teacher, stand tall!
All:
Talanti Lelly, guidance teacher, we salute you all!
Lead Singer: Chibesa Lucy!
Learners: We celebrate you!
Lead Singer: Kawawa Prudence!
Learners: We celebrate you!
Lead Singer: Mushita Kelvin!
Learners: We celebrate you!
Lead Singer: Michelo Bertha!
Learners: We celebrate you!
Lead Singer: Charity Kalembelo!
Learners: We celebrate you!
Lead Singer: Nkonde Martha!
Learners: We celebrate you!
Lead Singer: Chabala Debra!
Learners: We celebrate you!
Lead Singer: Chanda Getrude!
Learners: We celebrate you!
Lead Singer: Mwaba Mbeya!
Learners: We celebrate you!
Lead Singer: Bemba Margaret!
Learners: We celebrate you!
Lead Singer: Mambwe Christopher!
Learners: We celebrate you
So let the music echo through the trees
Carried on the gentle afternoon breeze
We celebrate the peace we hold so dear
Gathered together, year after year
From the classrooms to the garden beds
With clear visions inside our heads
Independence is a gift we share
Showing the world how much we care
Oh, Mungulube, hear the rhythm play
Celebrating our Independence Day
Rhumba in the field, moving to the beat
Dancing on the earth with the rhythm in our feet
Independence, freedom, shining in the sun
For every learner, the journey has begun
We hold our heads up high, we walk with pride
With the spirit of our nation right by our side
Yes, keep the rhythm flowing
Mungulube, let it shine
Independence Day, sixty-four to now
Keep on dancing, keep on learning
Freedom is our song
(Guitar fades out smoothly)