African Sunrise

Words & Music by John Denver
from Dreamland Express (1985)


G6/9
African sunrise, shine on a brand new day.
G6/9
African sunrise, show us a brand new way.
G6/9
Give us a brand new morning.
G6/9
Show us forever beginning to stand on our own.
G6/9
African sunrise, smile on my african home.

 Am7              D           G
In this hour of quiet contemplation.
      Am7               D              G
The stillness of the dawning calms my mind.
   Am7                 D          G
I face the day with heartfelt exaltation.
     Am7                 D          G
The light is both a promise and a sign
        Am7               D                   G
In the darkness we have lost the son of our sister.
            Am7             D             G
Though the beauty of his spirit lingers still.
  G                   D                 G
This was a child of love, a child of laughter.
 Am7                 D            G
Who cannot understand the way I feel.

 F               C                   G
Is it not the sun that gives the seasons.
 F               C                  G
Is it not the sun that brings the rain.
      F                       C                      G
Our throats are choked with dust, but we're still singing.
      C                 F             D
Our song wil not be silenced by the pain.
                Am7             D                   G
All around the village I could hear the roosters crowing.
             Am7               D           G
There was a time it was like music to my ears.
               Am7                   D              G
Now all I can hear is the sound of hungry babies crying.
   Am7               D              G
I pray for rain to wash away their tears.
          Am7      D                G
African sunrise, light of a brand new day
          Am7      D                   G
African sunrise, light of a brand new way.
     Am7                    D
With one who will be our brother.
    Am7                    D                      G
And one who will be our partner and teach us to know.
Em        Am7      D                  G
African sunrise, smile on my african home.
         Am7       D                  G
African sunrise, smile on my african home.
         Am7     D      G
African sunrise .....