The African Rooster

Lyrics

[Intro] Once upon a time. A carpenter kept blueprints folded in a drawer, Beside the unpaid bills and an old brass key. He told himself the door had closed forever, But the morning had not finished speaking. [Verse 1] Miriam saved her recipes in a coffee tin, Dreamed of a kitchen where the neighborhood could gather. Joseph had a song beneath his work shirt, Waiting through forty winters for a little room to sing. Their hands knew loss, their backs knew labor, Their hearts still carried names for what might be. [Pre-Chorus] Then a patient new companion sat beside them, Turning scattered thoughts to plans they could see. Not a promise without work or wisdom, Just a helping hand saying, start with me. [Chorus] The African Rooster, calling us awake, The African Rooster, for every chance we make. Old dreams at the window, new steps on the floor, The African Rooster, open up the door. [Verse 2] Miriam typed her menu, Joseph shaped his verses, Learning one small lesson, then another one by one. The machine helped build the bridge, But their courage crossed the river in the sun. A neighbor brought tomatoes, a daughter brought a table, The first warm meal was served beneath a painted sign. Joseph sang the song he carried all those years, And Miriam laughed, saying, this beginning is mine. [Breakdown] [Near-silent, intimate] Could that be you? The dream you wrapped in yesterday's newspaper, The door you stopped knocking on? Could that be you? [Bridge] You are not too late, no, you are not too late, Age is a harvest, not a closing gate. Let the tools lend strength, let your story lead, Build one honest brick from one determined need. Wake up that dream with AI. Wake up that dream with AI. [Chorus] The African Rooster, calling us awake, The African Rooster, for every chance we make. Old dreams at the window, new steps on the floor, The African Rooster, open up the door. [Gospel Call and Response] Lead: Who still has a vision? Choir: We still have a vision! Lead: Who can begin again? Choir: We can begin again! Lead: What brings the morning? Choir: The African Rooster! Lead: What wakes the heart? Choir: The African Rooster! [Final Chorus] The African Rooster, calling us awake, The African Rooster, for every chance we make. Wake up that dream with AI, then carry it with care, The African Rooster, hope is waiting there. The African Rooster, sing it strong and true, The African Rooster, there is still work for you. [Outro] Once upon a time became today, And today became a road beneath their feet. The African Rooster keeps calling, And every second chance sounds sweet.