I will die standing!! (Asradew from Canada)

I won’t wait for death, sleeping on my bed
I will go to it, riding the macabre horse
Nor will I bath with tears, sitting and weeping
I won’t kneel down, bending my knees
I will not wait for it, to come and take me
I will go to it, so it doesn’t come for him (other Ethiopians)
Let it know my pride, let it see my courage
I will die standing, I will never kneel down!

I won’t look for a cave, to hid myself in
I don’t want jungle, where I disappear into
My neck will not stare down, nor will I turn my face
My bones will not tire; I will not fold my limps
I will wait for death, beating my chest
Parading the shield of honour, of valour
No! I will not kneel down, I will die standing
Let it know I am brave, the progeny of a brave
I won’t wait for death, in the darkness of night!

So that it takes me, while no one sees and hears
Never will I beg death, to spare me today
To procrastinate, and donate more ages to me
To make me bed-ridden, and mishandle me there
And later on take me, roughing up my body

Never!
I will wait for it, under the clear sun
Let this be my oath, to the earth, to the sky
I will die standing, like Jesus Christ
Until I resurrect, in a homecoming triumph!

Wishing it offers me, fractional more years
I will not wait for death, in a reclining respite
I will go to it, so it doesn’t come for him (other Ethiopians)
Let what comes come, I will not hide from it
I will not wait sleeping, so death comes and takes me
It will meet me standing, I myself will go to it
I will not kowtow to death, out of a longing to live
Never will I beg death, beseeching it to spare me
I will never kneel down, I will die standing
Let it know I am brave, the progeny of the brave!!

In tribute to Fanos who are fighting for liberty equality and fraternity of Ethiopian people.

ኅዳር 7 ቀን 2016 ዓ.ም. ( November 17. 11. 2023 )