| Chocolate Lament musical feel: Ivory Coast rhythm; sombre ending (intro: a capella African male harmony) "Chocolate" Eleven years old, four foot nothing, Mali child in the Cote d'Ivoire Cocoa bean sack is bigger than you Chocolate child...chocolate slave Don't call for your mother - she is far away Your cries drowned out in the crashing wave Easter treat, (tears and sweat) Bitter sweet, dark chocolate treat (a capella) "Chocolate" Under a fierce, angry sun, The child falls under the cocoa sack "Big Man" beats him - Le Gros beats him - Cocoa tree branches and bicycle chains Scarring his chocolate back Whip the boy...misery makes joy Says Le Gros, "I'm not an evil man... "this child is part of my family..." Easter treat, (tears and sweat) Bitter sweet, dark chocolate treat (a capella) "Chocolate" 400 harvested cocoa pods One pound of dark sweet delight Twelve hours a day in the African sun On Easter morning, the angelic blond sprite Laughs and runs in the northern garden Giggling and hunting for chocolate eggs Easter treat, (tears and sweat) Bitter sweet, dark chocolate meat (decrescendo; bass choir harmonizes a slow echoing undercurrent murmur: "chocolate slaves, chocolate slaves"; rhythm gradually ritard, rubato) The moon slinks down over the ocean, Crying herself to sleep in the fading western light Mali child doesn't see her He is locked up for the night Corn paste and burnt bananas on his plate He has never tasted... (slow, soft a capella ending) "Chocolate" |