Fela Kuti – Zombie – Lyrics to kill for.

Posted on by Opher

Fela was extraordinary. Not just in his music but his life too. He was a black radical. He opposed the regime in Nigeria and was severely tortured and imprisoned for speaking out and opposing themP1120117 (2). It didn’t stop him though. He still openly opposed the regime even after they ransacked his studios and killed his mother. He wrote this song for the mindless soldiers who carry out the orders to kill, arrest, torture and destroy.

Zombie – Fela Kuti

Zombie o, zombie (Zombie o, zombie)
Zombie o, zombie (Zombie o, zombie)

Zombie no go go, unless you tell am to go (Zombie)
Zombie no go stop, unless you tell am to stop (Zombie)
Zombie no go turn, unless you tell am to turn (Zombie)
Zombie no go think, unless you tell am to think (Zombie)

Tell am to go straight
A joro, jara, joro
No break, no job, no sense
A joro, jara, joro
Tell am to go kill
A joro, jara, joro
No break, no job, no sense
A joro, jara, joro
Tell am to go quench
A joro, jara, joro
No break, no job, no sense
A joro, jara, joro

Go and kill! (Joro, jaro, joro)
Go and die! (Joro, jaro, joro)
Go and quench! (Joro, jaro, joro)
Put am for reverse! (Joro, jaro, joro)

Joro, jara, joro, zombie wey na one way
Joro, jara, joro, zombie wey na one way
Joro, jara, joro, zombie wey na one way

Joro, jara, joro

Attention! (Zombie)
Quick march!
Slow march! (Zombie)
Left turn!
Right turn! (Zombie)
About turn!
Double up! (Zombie)
Salute!
Open your hat! (Zombie)
Stand at ease!
Fall in! (Zombie)
Fall out!
Fall down! (Zombie)
Get ready!

Halt!

Order!

Dismiss!

Songwriters
KUTI, FELA /

Read more: Fela Kuti – Zombie Lyrics | MetroLyrics

32 thoughts on “Fela Kuti – Zombie – Lyrics to kill for.”

  1. Nigerian politics aside, Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson (who has recorded with numerous international artists) met him on some cooperative recording thing.
    In terms of music, Ian was distinctly unimpressed and considered him a charlatan.

    1. His music sounds good to me. He surrounded himself with some great musicians and Ginger Baker rated him and he doesn’t rate many people. He certainly was bigger than life and a character. I think he attracted people in through his charisma. Maybe he wasn’t musically the major part of the band?

      1. I’m otherwise not ever particularly keen to hear him.
        I wasn’t referring to his band of musicians – but himself – as was Ian Anderson.

        I would have been good sensible common sense for Ginger to give him a positive rating – considering he lived there. Nigeria isn’t the easiest of countries to live for white people, all of whom are perceived to be wealthy. Ginger would perhaps also have welcomed the revenue from his studio hire – so, cut-nose-spite-face comes into play, doesn’t it?

      2. Possibly. Though I thought Ginger particularly went to Nigeria because he wanted to play with Fela and his band?
        I discovered him fairly recently and really liked what I heard. I’d never been attracted in before but it was dynamic and interesting stuff. How much Fela was really instrumental? He was certainly a force to reckon with.

      3. He was the band. Pure and simple. He created the band, and he created the music. If he does not trust, you won’t get anything from him.

  2. I think Ginger went there so he wasn’t taxed, could buy affordable land, build a ranch, breed horses (which are his passion) and maybe make a little extra on the side with his recording studio. It would also be worth comment on the accessibility of some good seriously strong drugs found in that part of the world – another of Ginger’s passions.

    There’s loads of African stuff that doesn’t get a fair hearing.
    I particularly like Tinariwen. They are fantastic.
    Also, Baba Maal, Ali Farka Toure and Toumani Diabate.

    1. Yeah – I bet all that had a lot to do with it. Tinariwen are brilliant. I think they might be touring soon. I noticed that a while back.
      Baba and Ali Farka are both great but I’ve not heard of Toumani. I’ll have to check him out.

      1. Yes, do so – I think you’ll like his stuff.
        He made some great recordings with Ry Cooder.

      2. Really. I have most stuff by Ry but I’ve never noticed that collaboration. I’ll look him up. Any album in particular?

  3. I’ll check out my stuff and get back to you.
    Gotta dash now – off to see The Stones in Cuba movie.

      1. You did actually – because I told you on here that it was on for one night only in a post about 2 weeks ago!

        It was very good, too. It must have been quite something for the Cubans for they’d never have witnessed such before.

      2. Oh yes – I remember – you did. It must have gone in one ear and out the other. I bet it was a good show. I haven’t seen it on anywhere round here. Is it doing the rounds?
        I wonder what the Cubans make of it? Roy wondered what they made of him in 1967 when he went and performed there. That must have been weird.

  4. No, as it was for one night only – I also told you that, too!
    The Cubans could have a party for the opening an envelope!

    1. Too much going on, right now. My brain hurts. We’re moving house and trying to keep on top of all the shit involved in that. Bit of a nightmare.
      I hope it shows up somewhere in the future. I’d like to see that. How good was it?

      1. Well filmed, great sound, great playing and Jagger’s beyond belief. Other than that – not a great deal different from any of the other 20 concerts they’ve had filmed!

        Moving? Yes, nightmare.
        Take my advice – do NOT let any person from a removal company pack your record collection or whatever. They will just bundle it in not caring a hoot about the order of things in which they find it. Insist you want a supply of boxes up front so that you can do it yourself.

      2. They are amazing. Jagger does not get the credit for how good he keeps his body. To be able to do what he does at his age is astounding.
        Nobody is touching my music. I’m doing all the albums and CDs myself. It’ll be crazy but I’ll hire my own van for that.

  5. Indeed. He got it from his dad, who was a PE instructor. I believe he lived until 92 years old.

    Wise move on the music collection.
    I think you can allow them to transport it, it’s really just the packing aspect that’s problematic.
    It’s hell of a heavy carting umteen boxes of records. Hello Hernia!

    1. Yes but he really works at it. I don’t know how his joints hold up to the punishment.
      I’m looking to moving the albums and CDs and books as a fitness campaign. I don’t want to take chances with removal men chucking precious stuff around.

  6. Ronnie has apparently really made solid ground with cutting back on the booze. Perhaps a twenty-something girlfriend has something to do with it. Whatever cutting back is in the Stones world!
    I had to laugh at Keith’s comment a while back about heroin, when he said he and Ronnie had put it on the back burner for when they really do need it – when the time arrives when they’re croaking it.

  7. Yes, last night, tonight & tomorrow night – he hosts the whole night, with interviews, favourite music stuff and movies he likes.

    1. I hadn’t noticed that. I’ll get it on catch-up. Thanks for that Andrew. It sounds good. Did you see last nights?

  8. Well, Keith’s always worth watching – he’s a good story teller and his stories are true.
    See the listings and pick the bits you fancy – stuff about London’s history in the 20th century is on now.

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