WE THOUGHT IT WAS OIL, BUT IT WAS BLOOD

The other day
     We danced on the street
     Joy in our hearts
     We thought we were free
     Three young folks fell to our right
     Countless more fell to our left
     Looking up,
     Far from the crowd
     We beheld
     Red hot guns

We thought it was oil
     But it was blood

We thought it was oil
     But this was blood

Heart jumping
     Into our mouths
     Floating on
     Emotions dry wells
     We leapt with fury
     Knowing it was't funny
     Then we beheld
     Bright red pools

We thought it was oil
     But it was blood

We thought it was oil
     But this was blood

Tears don't flow
     When you are scarred
     First it was the Ogoni
     Today it is Ijaws
     Who will be slain this next day?
     We see open mouths
     But we hear no screams
     Standing in a pool
     Up to our knees

We thought it was oil
     But it was blood

We thought it was oil
     But this was blood

Dried tear bags
     Polluted streams
     Things are real
     Only when found in dreams
     We see their Shells
     Behind military shields
     Evil, horrible evil gallows called oilrigs
     Drilling our souls

We thought it was oil
     But it was blood

We thought it was oil
     But this was blood

The heavens are open
     Above our head
     Toasted dreams in flared
     And scrambled sky
     A million black holes
     In a burnt sky
     But we know our dreams
     Won't burst like crude pipes

We thought it was oil
     But this was blood

We thought it was oil
     But this was blood

This we tell you
     They may kill all
     But the blood will speak
     They may gain all
     But the soil will RISE
     We may die but stay alive
     Placed on the slab
     Slaughtered by the day
     We are the living
     Long sacrificed

We thought it was oil
     But it was blood

We thought it was oil
     But this was blood

---Nnimmo Bassey

First written/performed in Amsterdam, 16 September, 1998. Revised in Benin City, January 3, 1999. Dedicated to Oronto Douglas & the youths of the Niger Delta.