Speak out |
JAMAICAN MANNAZ
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Children from every ethnicity country and class
are locked up in cages of silence Trapped by fear The fear of disbelief Africans, Americans, Europeans, Asians and West Indians are being infected by this unbearable and demoralising disease called Child Abuse. It is passed down from generation to generation Guilty parents adopting from their predators then try to pass it down to their successors Creepy hands running into the future of their sons and daughters Clandestinely taking away their innocence Turning bright glassy crystal eyes Into streams of obscurity ignominy and resentment Children are being exploited from border to border without limitation Children are sold into the arms of gangs for sexual exploitation Children are locked up in basements alienated from the rays of each day they are buffeted with wipes and iron in the dungeon of hell, they whisper to themselves 'Someone help me' This is the time to stifle silence and speak out Don't be terrified anymore, just speak out Run to a radio station Blare it out in the middle of a church service Shout it out at your graduation Just to get the right person's attention Don't conceal it any longer, whatever you have been promised Your freedom from this enslavement is priceless If you have to sound or look crazy to be heard Just face it and speak out Staying in silence will deteriorate your future Quench the fire of suicide with the water called 'speak out' Even if you are an adult, be free Like Oprah Winfrey blare it out, shout it out, just do it be the first and speak out - Daron Chosen Smith |
CHORUS
“Please and tanks!," “Please and tanks!” Jamaicans say, “Please and Tanks” From we young we grow wid mannaz, So we have to tell you, “Please and tanks”. “Good morning!” and “Good evening!” “Good afternoon” is a good greeting, What you put out is what you receiving, So we haffi tell you “Please and tanks”. 1st VS: Jamaican Mannaz, that means different things Cause if you’re under mannaz, means you’re disciplined Jamaican Mannaz, that means self-control And it applies fi di young, yes and even di old Jamaican mannaz is the basic step We use mannaz when we wan’ show self-respect Mannaz no matter who, what, where or why Mannaz for granny, puppa, mumma, girl or boy Pre-cho (call and answer): Me have MANNAZ! Whe you fi show? MANNAZ! Whe you fi teach? MANNAZ! Everybody needs – MANNAZ! Chorus 2nd VS. When me step inna di room, me first a say, “Greetings!” Mi have you up if you nuh tell me back someting And if me bounce you when me pass you, me tell you, “Hush! Sorry!” The Englishman would say, “Pardon me!” Get a ‘bligh’ inna di traffic, touch my horn (pa-pa-pamp) Dinnertime at the table, me say “Please pass di salt” Nuh interrupt the conversation, “Beg you excuse me” Inna Jamaica dat a common courtesy Pre-cho (call and answer): MANNAZ Whe you fi have? MANNAZ Whe you fi show? MANNAZ Whe you fi teach? MANNAZ CHORUS BRIDGE If I want you to show me respect, I show it to you myself If I want you to give kindness, I give it to you myself Mannaz in Jamaica is a special brand you know With a twinkle in the eye only we can show Pre-cho (call and answer): MANNAZ! Whe you fi show? MANNAZ! Whe you fi teach? MANNAZ! Everybody need - MANNAZ! |