Birthday Joy for Fatou

Fatou! The drum is calling — hey! — calling you tonight!

We were small in that old house, One room, two beds, no keeping quiet! You whispered stories after dark, I laughed so hard the whole house heard it! Hey — who started it? You did! Your hand pulled mine across the road, You carried half of every load, You kept my secrets, every one, Sealed tight — told no one! Side by side we grew, Now I sing it loud so the whole street knows you!

Fatou, step in — lift her high! Same old house, same loud laugh — lift her high! Clap for my sister, clap it twice! One more year, she's dancing first — lift her high!

Now look at this room tonight! Candles up, every face bright, The drum calls out — who answers? You! Feet don't wait, the floor knows too! Same girl who started every game, Same laugh — we'd know it anywhere! Everybody up, nobody sits, Clap on the turn — hey! — hit it! Sing it loud, throw it back, We grew up together, we don't hold back! Sister, this one's yours!

Fatou, step in — lift her high! Same old house, same loud laugh — lift her high! Clap for my sister, clap it twice! One more year, she's dancing first — lift her high!

Years run fast? Then run with me! Wherever we go, we're still those kids, Two whispers laughing in one dark room, Older now — same tune! Turn it! — Turn it! Higher! — Higher! Sister — go!

Fatou, step in — lift her high! Same old house, same loud laugh — lift her high! Clap for my sister, clap it twice! One more year, she's dancing first — lift her high!

Happy birthday, my sister — we lift you high!