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Suru Lere

from Point Less by Ola Onabulé

/

about

Today Suru Lere is a vast middle class neighbourhood in Lagos, the capital city of Nigeria. It’s where I had my first experience of being an African free of being defined through the narrow prism of race. It is idealised here in this song and used as a metaphor for peace of mind and social tranquility. Historically, Suru-Lere was a place that returnee African-Americans settled in the late 19th century and early 20th century. It was also a pilgrimage destination for Saros and Agudas, West African captives rescued by abolitionists from ships destined for the slave trade. They were often disembarked at FreeTown in Sierra Leone but many chose to journey on towards Yorubaland where they believed their roots lay. A good many of them settled in Suru Lere. The song exhorts children of the diaspora to return to Suru Lere and free themselves from the aberrations of racial politics that afflict them.

lyrics

Suru Lere
Ola Onabulé 2018

Lets go to Suru Lere,
It's far, but won't feel a long way
Pay attention, it dwells in your heart
You were of Suru Lere,
Before the past pulled today's seams apart

Patience is waiting's one gain
Why waste it waiting in vain
Still clinging wide eyed to pledges unmade
Come back to Suru Lere,
Naked and human, and no more afraid

Disquiet and presentiments
Immediately fly away, oh far away
Celebrate, in your element
Get stronger each passing day, day by day
Breathe, when you breathe,
Soon you'll live, not barely survive
Soon you'll feel alive

You can't go to Suru Lere
I guess I've been talking grand,
Here's where he fell, here you'll make your last stand
You'll build a Suru Lere
All of your own on this sleepless land

credits

from Point Less, released August 30, 2019
Drums - Jack Pollitt, Bass - Phil Mulford, Guitar - Femi Temowo, Piano - Pete Adams, Percussion - Will Fry, Sax - Duncan Eagles

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Ola Onabulé UK



Ola’s new album, POINT LESS has been critically received worldwide. The new album is on the DownBeat list of Best Albums of 2019. .

Onabulé is a rugged individualist, a deeply soulful musician. Possessing an emotional intensity and vocal virtuosity, a poignant storyteller and capacity to cross cultural and musical boundaries with an unflinching lyrical pursuit of truth and justice.
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