Verse 1:
I'm the Kawo Tona Gaga, ruler of Wolaita
My dynasty, Tigre, we were the last to thrive
Built ties with the Jimma kingdom, Abba Jifar's daughter my bride
But I don't bow to Shewa, I refuse to pay tribute
Chorus:
I'm the king of Wolaita, a warrior through and through
My land won't be conquered, my people won't be subdued
Tona Gaga, the name that strikes fear in my foes
My reign may end, but my legacy forever glows
Verse 2:
I tried to make the Kullo and Konta my vassals
But Wolde Gyorgis marched and made them his hassles
Menelik II demanded tribute, I refused the demand
My fortifications ready, I won't back down or disband
Chorus:
I'm the king of Wolaita, a warrior through and through
My land won't be conquered, my people won't be subdued
Tona Gaga, the name that strikes fear in my foes
My reign may end, but my legacy forever glows
Verse 3:
The Ethiopians came, the battle lines were drawn
Trenches and mounds, my defenses like dawn
But eventually, they pushed me out of my stronghold
Caught between them and Oromo auxiliaries, I was sold
Chorus:
I'm the king of Wolaita, a warrior through and through
My land won't be conquered, my people won't be subdued
Tona Gaga, the name that strikes fear in my foes
My reign may end, but my legacy forever glows
Verse 4:
Tekle Haymanot, that's what they baptized me
Made governor by Menelik II, his ally you see
I fought beside him, in multiple campaigns
My legacy lives on, in the annals of Ethiopian plains
Chorus:
I'm the king of Wolaita, a warrior through and through
My land won't be conquered, my people won't be subdued
Tona Gaga, the name that strikes fear in my foes
My reign may end, but my legacy forever glows. Verse 5:
Damot civilization, proud and ancient, we stand
In Southern Ethiopia, our home, our land
We traded with the Swahili, and Arab merchants too
Made stunning art and pottery, our skills the world knew
Chorus:
We are the people of Damot, our heritage we cherish
Our legacy, our culture, our history we nourish
Proud and strong, we stand together as one
Our voice, our story, forever to be sung
Verse 6:
As a kingdom, we rose to power, our armies brave and true
Conquered the Sidama, Gurage, and Gamo too
But we also forged alliances, with those who shared our cause
Together we resisted, our enemies' tyrannical claws
Chorus:
We are the people of Damot, our heritage we cherish
Our legacy, our culture, our history we nourish
Proud and strong, we stand together as one
Our voice, our story, forever to be sung
Verse 7:
Our kingdom may have fallen, our rulers long gone
But our spirit lives on, in the hearts of everyone
For Damot civilization, is more than just a name
It's a legacy of resilience, courage, and fame
Chorus:
We are the people of Damot, our heritage we cherish
Our legacy, our culture, our history we nourish
Proud and strong, we stand together as one
Our voice, our story, forever to be sung. From the south of Ethiopia, to the world we send our voice,
We are the people of Damot, our story is our choice,
From warriors and kings, to artists and crafts,
Our legacy remains intact, despite the many drafts.
Chorus:
We are the people of Damot, our heritage we cherish,
Our legacy, our culture, our history we nourish,
Proud and strong, we stand together as one,
Our voice, our story, forever to be sung.
Verse 9:
We may have fallen once, but we rise again anew,
With our heads held high, and our spirits never subdued,
For our people's strength, and resilience never wavered,
Our traditions, language, and stories forever engraved.
Chorus:
We are the people of Damot, our heritage we cherish,
Our legacy, our culture, our history we nourish,
Proud and strong, we stand together as one,
Our voice, our story, forever to be sung.
Verse 10:
So let the world hear our tale, the story of our land,
Of Tona Gaga, Wolde Gyorgis, and the kingdom we command,
Of our art, our trade, and the culture we maintain,
Damot civilization, forever shall remain.
Chorus:
We are the people of Damot, our heritage we cherish,
Our legacy, our culture, our history we nourish,
Proud and strong, we stand together as one,
Our voice, our story, forever to be sung.
Summary
Licensing
Public domainPublic domainfalsefalse
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https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/PDMCreative Commons Public Domain Mark 1.0falsefalse