This is the village
The sun is shining
The wind is blowing
And the birds are singing too.
Through the woods, the noise
Made by the drummer on high
Is going in ripples clear,
The message of the drums.
Bum! Bum! Bum!
Vibrating and then reverberating.
Sending that message far and wide
To the people all scattered over.
Clearly I see him stand;
His chest black and bare,
A colorful sheet around his loins
Beating the drums! Bum! Bum!
There are two sticks in his hand.
I can see them as they go,
And he is standing like a stature
Right behind those talking drums.
I can see more than ever.
Two drums there are, in fact.
One large and the other small
At an angle to the ground.
One the octave of the other
Bum! Bim! Bim! Bum!
In harmony fairly played
To very seasoned ears.
The living statue stands
Motionless save his hands.
In rhythmic movement they go
To and from the drums.
Thus the message Is sent
To old and young, far and wide,
Of death, war, and peace,
Or to assemble the people round.
These talking drums are old,
As old as the ages.
Great grands have used them thus
In sending messages the same.
So that statue, before the news,
As an introductory note he beats
A note to God, almighty,
The maker of sun and rain.
? 1957 Rev. Peter E. Adotey Addo
Dedicated to All the Young Students I taught
?In the Village Of ?Nkase And Konongo- Odumase
A few Miles from Kumasi.Ghana
When I was young.
Rev Peter ?E Adotey Addo
