I Was Actually Thinking About This Song. I Remember It From The Early 70's. It's So Melodic, Rhymic and The Words Seem For Some Reason Grab At My Soul & Spirit...It Talks To Me. Glad I'm Reunited With You Hugh Masekela. Mr Grazing In The Grass. Let's Share This And See Who Else's Attention It Grabs & Pulls At!!
Been such a long time gone,
I often try to remember how it was
my memory draws faded pictures
although in my dreams I see myself
walking through the market place, in a tiny Moroccan town
waiting for the caravan, to take me across - the mighty Sahara.
The Desert sand is blazing hot; there's a sandstorm coming our way
the nearest oasis is 1000 miles away, we've got 10 days to go to reach the Nile
Sailing down the river Nile
to be in valleys green with dates and olives on the banks
Tanzania's lakes are sparkling ahead, flowing through Uganda straight into Malawi
where the beat of Mozambique flow into Zambezi, Zambezi, Zambezi, Zambezi.
Here I cross the river before you, one soldier standing in the road
suddenly they open fire and then POP! Goes my dream.
Been such a long time gone; I've got to cross over.
Been such a long time gone; I've got to cross over.
Been such a long time gone; I've got to cross over.
"BEEN SUCH A LONG TIME GONE" This beautiful piece confronts a historic problem for Africans in diaspora. The importance, seriousness, and survival necessity of reconnecting with homeland culture is still over looked and depreciated by most Africans in diaspora, especially the most educated African Americans who are sometimes referred to as the so-called "talented tenth."Pan Africans must reconnect - PERIOD!
Unfortunately, "pop went my dream."
On this sad day I stopped by, particularly searching for this song, which has remained etched in my memory since that day, as a nineteen year-old sophomore, I first heard it.
Thanks for the music, and your memory.
Go now, go and seat in the Palace of Peace & Power...
