[male
vocals]
[Let's compose another one. Use African roots reggae-srory telling style] DON'T
BE
ANYBODY'S
HORSE
A
Father's
Lesson
in
Dignity
NANTOR
ABABANA
[INTRO – Spoken over children's laughter and gentle African percussion] When
I
was
a
little
boy,
our
compound
was
our
playground.
One
afternoon,
my
brothers,
sisters
and
friends
decided
to
play
a
game.
We
pretended
we
were
horses...
One
child
would
get
down
on
his
hands
and
knees,
another
would
climb
onto
his
back,
and
the "
horse"
would
carry
the
rider
across
the
compound.
That
day...
I
wanted
everybody
to
see
how
strong
I
was.
So
I
volunteered
to
be
the
horse.
Again...
And
again...
And
again.
The
children
were
laughing.
They
were
cheering.
And
I
was
enjoying
every
moment...
Until
I
looked
up...
And
saw
my
father
watching
me.
[Music changes – deeper bass enters] He
wasn't
smiling.
[VERSE 1] Down
on
my
hands
and
knees
I
went,
Carrying
children
on
my
back,
Racing
proudly
through
the
compound,
While
the
others
cheered
and
clapped. "
Abass
is
strong!
Give
me
my
turn!"
Every
child
wanted
a
ride,
And
the
louder
that
the
children
cheered
me,
The
more
I
swelled
with
childish
pride.
I
thought
that
I
was
showing
strength,
I
thought
that
I
had
won
the
day,
Till
I
saw
my
father
standing
there...
And
all
my
laughter
slipped
away.
He
didn't
shout
across
the
compound,
He
didn't
call
me
any
name,
But
something
in
my
father's
eyes
Changed
the
meaning
of
the
game.
[SHORT INSTRUMENTAL BREAK] I
told
the
child
upon
my
back: "
Get
down."
And
quietly
walked
away.
Later...
Papa
called
me
into
his
room.
He
looked
into
my
eyes...
And
said: "
My
son...
don't
be
anybody's
horse." [
VERSE 2] "
I
know
that
you
were
only
playing,
I
know
no
harm
was
in
your
mind,
But
even
in
the
games
you're
playing,
Be
careful
what
you
choose
to
be.
Don't
train
your
mind
to
feel
important
Only
when
you
carry
someone's
load,
Don't
measure
strength
by
how
much
burden
Other
people
place
upon
your
shoulders.
You
have
dignity
within
you,
You
have
value,
you
have
worth,
So
even
when
the
world
applauds
you...
Know
who
you
are
upon
this
earth."
[CHORUS] Don't
be
anybody's
horse,
Don't
surrender
your
worth.
You
were
born
to
stand
with
dignity,
Know
your
value
on
this
earth.
Let
them
cheer,
Let
them
talk,
But
choose
with
purpose
where
you
walk.
Raise
your
head,
Know
your
course.
Papa
said...
Don't
be
anybody's
horse.