ONCE UPON A TIME
1ST Pupil
Once upon a time
They used to laugh with hearts and teeth.
Pointing at it as if it was a mass grave.
Mocking the roofless, dusty and collapsing classrooms
For they were wealthy to take their children to better schools.
Chorus: We are happy today,
We are happy today,
We are happy today,
Welcome to Majaoni.
2nd Pupil
Pardon me father
For saying a piece of my mind.
You have taught me many things.
I have learned to wear a torn uniform,
Eat poorly, while you go buying people drinks.
You taught jiggers to feed on my bare feet in dusty classrooms.
The roof laughed at me and the sun celebrated on me helplessly.
Chorus: We are happy today,
We are happy today,
We are happy today,
Welcome to Majaoni.
3rd Pupil
Listen, one day
I had an argument with God.
“God”, I said, “Why do you allow us to suffer so?”
Maybe I thought God was angry with me.
I promised to be good.
Surely God would then respond to my plea.
Chorus: We are happy today,
We are happy today,
We are happy today,
Welcome to Majaoni.
… / 2
4th Pupil
For God so much loved his children.
He came down to a merciful woman
Miles away from home
Who I was not blessed to see.
Diane, Diane, Diane.
May God keep her soul in eternal life.
May he also strengthen Herbert,
A strong-hearted husband of hers.
Through him, the school is shining like a star.
One by one they now gossip behind the scenes.
But one more thing, a library and a fence to
Protect our beautiful work.
Chorus: We are happy today,
We are happy today,
We are happy today
Welcome to Majaoni.
5th Pupil
Pass our greetings of joy and great hope
To our great friends in Canada.
A country I have only heard about.
They have grown past hate and bitterness.
They see the world as one.
Though I may never see their faces,
One day we shall sit at God’s round table with them.
Chorus: They have done so much for us and we can not tell it all.
They have done so much for us and we can not tell it all.
They have done so much for us and we can not tell it all.
They have done so much for us and we can not tell it all.
6th Pupil
Through Mr. Herbert, jiggers, rain and sun win no more – celebrate.
Great protection we have received.
To them we also offer a symbol of protection.
May protection also be offered to them.
Chorus: They have done so much for us and we can not tell it all.
They have done so much for us and we can not tell it all.
They have done so much for us and we can not tell it all.
They have done so much for us and we can not tell it all.
(All) Please, Mr. Herbert, receive this red umbrella as a sign of love and protection for them. (He receives an umbrella and lights a candle).
Chorus: They have done so much for us and we can not tell it all.
They have done so much for us and we can not tell it all.
They have done so much for us and we can not tell it all.
They have done so much for us and we can not tell it all.
7th Pupil
A burning candle we now possess.
Thousands of pupils will light theirs from it.
Yet it will never weigh a gram less.
(All) A burning candle, a sign of our shining school and bright future.
Chorus: They have done so much for us and we can not tell it all.
They have done so much for us and we can not tell it all.
They have done so much for us and we can not tell it all.
They have done so much for us and we can not tell it all.
8th Pupil
A great promise I now make.
To uphold Madam Karen’s wise words.
To keep up the hard work.
To Mr Herbert, keep the magic alive.
To my Father, it is better to give than to receive.
To God, let us all live strong and happy.
Chorus: They have done so much for us and we can not tell it all.
They have done so much for us and we can not tell it all.
They have done so much for us and we can not tell it all.
They have done so much for us and we can not tell it all.
By D. Mungai
Recited by: Sophia Mureni Standard 7 Pupil 1
Frolence Syria Standard 7 Pupil 2
Mufida Swaleh Standard 7 Pupil 3
Amina Kalume Standard 7 Pupil 4
Mariam Khalfan Standard 7 Pupil 5
Charles Kelina Standard 6 Pupil 6
Ngua Tsuwi Standard 6 Pupil 7
Dhahabu Simba Standard 7 Pupil 8