VocalEssence Chorus, VocalEssence Singers of This Age

AFKA HOOYO

Sung in Somali
Through the fixing of its spelling
My language is delivered:
My difficulties done with,
I’m freed from every hindrance.
Settling the orthography’s
Our economy’s foundation;
It defends against all defects.
In the oneness of our nation–
It underwrites and it defines.

Refrain: I must give to Somali,
Develop through Somali,
Create within Somali,
I must be rid of poverty,
And give myself for my own mother tongue.

Only a single night divides
Old yesterday’s despair
From today’s delighted laughter–
You people gathered here
How close you’ve grown together:
You face in one direction.
Do you hear deliverance call?
Have you divined its meaning?
Does it taste good in the mouth? Refrain:

You who are still unaware, look!
You who are deliberately deaf: listen!
If the pot isn’t placed on the fire
The dish cannot be cooked
So how will it ever satisfy?
Consider this in light of our goal:
Where does deep hurt lie
But in our backbone–
Time to treat that injury! Refrain:
—“Settling the Somali Language” by Mohamed Ibrahim Warsame
(Hadrawi), trans. Mohamed Hassan, Said Jama, and W. N. Herbert