Story Behind The Song
?In Africa? - My mother is an extremely gifted teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing in Minneapolis, MN. Growing up, I?d sometimes go in and help her in the classroom. I met some of her young students (ages 4-8) during that time, most of them from other countries. I was struck by their bravery in learning a new culture, a new language, and new customs. ?In Africa? is a composite of these students. It?s about one small moment in the life of a little girl who is missing everything familiar, for better or for worse, about her life before moving to the States.
Song Description
litle girl experiencing culture shock/ imagination
| Song Length |
4:20 |
Genre |
Folk - Contemporary |
| Tempo |
Slow (71 - 90) |
Lead Vocal |
Female Vocal |
| Mood |
Poignant |
Subject |
Change, Teachers |
| Language |
English |
Era |
2000 and later |
Lyrics
IN AFRICA
each day in the classroom
staring at the scratches on the green
what the blackboard read, what the teacher said
meant nothing to irene
her eyes on the doorway
waiting for the bell to scream
so she could close up her desk
and her unhappiness
and get back to dreaming
in africa i know the rules
in africa i don't go to school
and noone makes fun if a girl can't read
noone makes fun of me
they told her mama she's just stubborn
she doesn't want to learn
she's wasting time wasting her mind
we've had enough from her
but irene didn't want their anger
she just wanted to get home
to be out in the sun getting real work done
on the land her papa owned
in africa i know the rules
in africa i don't go to school
and noone makes fun if a girl can't read
noone makes fun of me
i want to do well, i want to do right
i promise i will if we leave tonight
in africa i know the rules
in africa i don't go to school
and noone makes fun if a girl can't read
noone makes fun of me