Stories from the Exile
Words, music and arrangements by Vincent Lockhart
Words, music and arrangements by Vincent Lockhart
Captain James Nkemasong
(1947-1983)
Fontem, Cameroon
(1947-1983)
Fontem, Cameroon
Stories from the Exile - Captain James Nkemasong
This is where it ends,
the uniform of pride
and the bright gold days of marching
past the head of state.
This is where it ends,
the barked-out orders
and the slashing salutes,
the glory of a shining gun
and the bullet that bore your name.
This is where it ended
with the Big Men
around the open grave,
the posthumous praise
and the weeping widow
clutching your children
like a bunch of medals.
This is where it ends.
This is where it ends.
It has ended now
with plastic flowers
on a white-tiled tomb
somewhere up here
in this lonely valley
with the priest in white robes
blessing the earth
amid the dog and the pig
and the restless children,
trying to make a big deal of it all,
trying to polish up your rusted glory,
praying you made it safely
through the lines of death.
the uniform of pride
and the bright gold days of marching
past the head of state.
This is where it ends,
the barked-out orders
and the slashing salutes,
the glory of a shining gun
and the bullet that bore your name.
This is where it ended
with the Big Men
around the open grave,
the posthumous praise
and the weeping widow
clutching your children
like a bunch of medals.
This is where it ends.
This is where it ends.
It has ended now
with plastic flowers
on a white-tiled tomb
somewhere up here
in this lonely valley
with the priest in white robes
blessing the earth
amid the dog and the pig
and the restless children,
trying to make a big deal of it all,
trying to polish up your rusted glory,
praying you made it safely
through the lines of death.
Background
Captain James Nkemasong was killed during the attempted military coup in Cameroon in April 1983. He fought on the side of the troops loyal to the government.
He was buried in his home village up in the hills in the Bangwa country.
A year after his death his widow asked me to come and bless his grave.
Vocal and guitar: Vincent Lockhart
BBC newsreader: Liz Taite
Keyboards: Dudley Ray
Drums: Claire Ray
Flute: Bethany Friery
Captain James Nkemasong was killed during the attempted military coup in Cameroon in April 1983. He fought on the side of the troops loyal to the government.
He was buried in his home village up in the hills in the Bangwa country.
A year after his death his widow asked me to come and bless his grave.
Vocal and guitar: Vincent Lockhart
BBC newsreader: Liz Taite
Keyboards: Dudley Ray
Drums: Claire Ray
Flute: Bethany Friery