Introduction before the curtain is opened.
-->The introducer addresses the audience.
Instead of none-stop
Condemning the past
Let us do our part
To lift our country
From economic morass fast.
Better than licking a wound,
Taking corrective measures
On former leaders’ mistakes
We could
Capitalizing, on what
They did good.
(Open Curtain)
--> Enters Emperor Tewodros II
I had tried
Citizens to unite
So that
They will not
Stop short of might
When invaders they fight!
I had also exemplified
Portraying a spectacular
Self dignity and pride
Whatever sacrifices
Trying times demand,
A coward,
An Ethiopian must not
Yield a hand.
To convey
I had also tried,
Though possible
As a tourist,explorer and
Even a covert spy
To enjoy oneself in
Ethiopia, famed for
A hospitable land
The impossibility
To carry away with
A shoe
Ethiopia’s golden
Silt or a sand.
--> Enters Emperor Yohannes IV
In the battle of Gundat
And Gura
I had shuttered
Egyptians' and Khedivi’s
And their Europian advisers'
And North Americans' aura.
Revolted by
A scramble for domestic power
Or salivating for wealth
And abhorring
Stooping to things glittering,
Defending my country
And faith
Valorous, on the forefront
Of a battle
I did shake hands
With the angel of death.
Successors,
There are lessons
You should learn
Adoring your country
Rent seeking
You have to shun,
Putting my country first
A notable self sacrifice
As I had done!
--> Enters Emperor Menelik II
Simply with
A sword and a spear
Carrying a shield
And riding a horse,
I did chase out
To its teeth
With modern weapon
Armed invading force.
When citizens
Join force and unite
With a golden pen
History they can write
History that flickers light
The oppressed,worldwide,
Could win if they fight
For their
God-bestowed right.
Also to modernization
According focal attention
Must be the task of
A given nation
If ignorance and disease
Their tight grip
Must cease.
--> Enters Emperor Haile selassie I
When many warned me
“You will live to regret
Your good gesture!”
To the development of
My country giving
Focal attention
I allowed students pursue
Further education.
I also allowed many here
And abroad a broad-array of
Subjects learn
And their poor country
Serve in their turn.
A prophet
I exposed League of Nation's
Double standard
So that
The world understand
“Though today
Ethiopia’s turn
The flame of fascism
And ******
Tomorrow
Supper powers too will burn!”
It was my wont
In the diplomatic mission
To bring
My country to the front!
Along with fellow leaders,
It was my dream object,
To de-colonize
And unite the continent.
That is why many
Saw for a continental seat
—OAU later AU—
Ethiopia fit.
--> President Mengistu Haile Mariam
As revolution
Was the day’s talk
With the progressive
I broke
On peasants and
The proletariat
Imposed yoke.
Sied Barre’s
Unexpected attack
And intrusion
I had managed
To reverse back,
Also fighting
Mass illiteracy
Was my
Outstanding task.
In fact,
I did try to keep
My country intact.
-->Prime Minister Meles Zenawi
My long-cherished bent
Was ensuring
Political pluralism
And democracy’s advent
For which cause
My youth and adulthood
I spent.
I and combatants
After tyranny
To a grave sent,
I invited
Soon,
Marginalized states
To come aboard and
Equally enjoy
Development’s boon.
In an astounding
Developmental feat
I was out
The unconquerable
—Blue Nile—
To defeat.
Also against poverty
A similar victory repeat.
What is more
On the road
Of Renaissance
I did inspire
Over 80 ethnic group
Forward to run
Actualizing a leap in
Their life span.
A win-win
Environment smart growth
Was what,charismatic,
On the global arena
I brought forth
Making super powers believe
Giving attention to Africa
Is worth.
--> Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn
In trying times
Not to allow
Started mega projects
Suffer a set back
I saw to
Things are on the right track.
More than one cabinet reshuffle
In the leading party
Deep renewal and reform,
Together with members,
I did perform!
To a peaceful power transition
I have set a glaring example
A move
In Africa many took unthinkable!
Averse to rent seeking
I am patted on the back
“You have done a nice thing!”
(Close Curtain)
--> Introducer
Conspiracy
To grab the rein
Of power
At the cost of harm
Allowing one ethnic group
On others to tower
Sluggishness in resource
Utilization, not allowing
Development to equally
And fast flower,
Harbouring fright
When citizens exercise
Their allowed democratic right
Are follies
The coming generations
Have to fight
So that
Ensues peace
And days bright,
Off springs of Lucy
We have to always unite!///
Distilling the best from the past warding off hurdles pressing ahead.
