Why do we remember?
We remember to remind ourselves that we forgot
Forgot the bond that made us one
The same culture, the same language
The same blood coursing through our veins
We forgot our pride and independence
And yielded to teachings of differences
And really, what differences?
The shape of a nose? The length of our legs?
We learned to fear and to hate
Our brotherhood became obsolete
We forgot who we were
Created our own hell
We remember to remind ourselves
To never ever forget again
Why do we remember?
We remember those lives that were not lived
We remember the dreams that a bullet shattered
We remember the hopes by death wrongly robbed
We remember the names that are no longer called
We remember families we no longer have
We remember to remind ourselves
That for them we have to live
And as we remember the ones we lost
Those who were and went too soon
Those whom we never came to know
We'll unite with a common goal
Together as one we'll say: No more
And from the ruins will rise a new realm
The accomplishment of a long lost dream
We will remake the one true bond
And face the world with newlyfound strength
We will revive the fraternal love
We will break the chains of hate
And from the snowy peak of Kalisimbi
To the swirling streams of Akanyaru
From the peaceful banks of Kivu
To the roaring falls of Akagera
From the vast plains of Bugarama
To the cattle ranches of Umutara
A booming voice shall be heard
The sons and daughters of the Motherland
Finally standing hand in hand
Rephrasing that old Negro Spiritual,
Only with a few words replaced
Saying: United at last, united at last
Thank God Almighty
We are united at last.