Bwana Kitoko

When King Baudouin visited in the spring of nineteen fifty-five
Belgian Congo,
he was welcomed by hundreds of thousands of Congolese
in a festive mood.
The young prince had just set foot on colonial ground
after a tiring journey,
when he was immediately cheered on
by a crowd that radiated happiness.
All the streets were decorated, he was celebrated everywhere.
They all went wild,
when he spoke to them in Lingala.
The enthusiasm knew no bounds
and the whole trip was a huge success.

Yambo Bwana, Bwana Kitoko oyé y'a vive le Roi...
Did they celebrate Mayessengo a lot?
King Beautiful, you’re our pride,
We really love you, you’re our star.
King Beautiful oyé, welcome to our home.

When King Baudouin visited in the summer of nineteen sixty
our former colony,
he left with memories
of the joy from his previous visit.
In his suitcase was the document
that declared Belgian Congo independent from now on,
even though the Belgian government still had a big say
in the affairs.
But what were they going to do there???
This was not the same country anymore;
Patrice Lumumba spoke out,
and was later murdered for it.
With a suitcase full of disillusionment, the king
returned home.