Drums of Menelik

BEAT UPON THE DRUMS OF MENELIK
And tell black warriors to go out and win.

O Beat upon the drums of Menelik
O beat upon the drums of lion's skin
O let the giant drums be ever quick
In calling blackmen out to fight and win.
Take them to the highest mountain peak
Then let them thunder with a lion's roar
And the two million warriors these words speak:
"THE WHITE INVADER KNOCKS AT YOUR DOOR!"

Send out your war cry o'er each peak and vale
Cry out the story of your country's wrong,
Let every drum reverberate the tale
And in succession carry it along.

Black Drummers, scream defiance to the sky
As did Makonnen in Adowa's day!

O let the giant drums be ever quick
In calling black men out to fight and win.

Throb out, "This is our land and here we die
And thus with life defend it -- come what may!"
Black Drummers, scream defiance to the sky
As did Makonnen in Adowa's day!