Lyrics

[Mawal - Traditional Introduction]
Ya leil, oh my heart aches with pride
Through every sunrise, we survive
Our walls may crack but never divide
Ya nas, ya einy, hear my cry
[Verse 1]
Walking these paths since I was young
Where every stone tells what we've done
They say we're nothing but they're wrong
Ya nas! Our spirit's twice as strong
Remember when they tried to break us down?
But couldn't shake what we had found
Deep in our hearts, a fire burns bright
(Ya nas, ya nas, we'll be alright)
[Chorus]
We rise together, ya nas, through every dawn
(La la la, we rise, la la la, we're strong)
Hand in hand, until the storm is gone
Ya nas, my people carry on!
[Verse 2]
Every morning I see your face
Your children playing in this place
Though times are hard, we share our bread
The words of wisdom that you said
Stay in my mind day after day
When others left, you chose to stay
This neighborhood runs through our veins
(Ya einy, we'll wash away the pain)
[Chorus]
We rise together, ya nas, through every dawn
(La la la, we rise, la la la, we're strong)
Hand in hand, until the storm is gone
Ya nas, my people carry on!
[Breakdown]
Ya leil... (Oh ya leil...)
When they test us, we stand tall
Ya nas... (Oh ya nas...)
United we will never fall
[Tabla solo]
[Build up]
[Verse 3]
From rooftop calls to evening prayers
The rhythm of life that we share
Our coffee sweet, our bonds complete
Our victory over defeat
They try to judge us from afar
But don't know who we really are
This strength we have, it can't be bought
(Ya nas, this love can't be forgot)
[Final Chorus]
We rise together, ya nas, through every dawn
(La la la, we rise, la la la, we're strong)
Hand in hand, until the storm is gone
Ya nas, my people carry on!
(Ya nas, ya nas, we'll carry on!)
[Fade out with celebratory ululations]