Ethiopia

Ethiopia I call you, my distant love
my heart sees you but not my eyes
Iam burdened by their rumours and lies
that you are not worth the prize of a dove

Ethiopia, you rose from the sea of sand
a lioness roaring for the world to see
a beauty tempered in grace rising to be
a jewelled sapphire of Cushitic lands

Ethiopia, did you send your children away
who look like you in wisdom and beauty
who ruled in strange lands with justice and piety
the worlds treasures came to your feet and lay

Ethiopia, my quiet mourning queen of old
where are your praise singers and dancers
where are your sages, magi and star gazers
why is your street crying, your sons are sold

Ah! you have left me in our lowly grave
Ethiopia, my friend, my companion, my slave