From the recording Emperor in Exile
The track “Our Country’s Not For Sale” is inspired by Benito Mussolini’s attempts to make a deal with Haile Selassie, during the Italian invasion of 1935–36. The song reflects Selassie’s refusal to compromise his nation’s sovereignty or allow Ethiopia to be treated as a commodity to be traded, occupied or controlled. While rooted in this historical moment, the message echoes contemporary debates about territorial power and influence, including discussions surrounding the strategic importance of Greenland.
Da Fuchaman vocals recorded and mixed at Yam & Banana studio, Bristol.
Backing track recorded at Crossleaze Studio Bath.
CREDITS
Side One
Tracks 1–5 written by Seviour and Archer.
Track 3, “My Country’s Not for Sale”:
Lyrics by Seviour and Archer.
Music by Seviour and Archer, incorporating elements inspired by “Dollar in the Teeth” by Lee “Scratch” Perry.
Track 6 Selassie I. Backing track written by A Seviour.
Lyrics written by C Powell.
Side Two
The vinyl edition includes an exlusive special guest dub mix of Exile song by Nick Manasseh which in not included in the digital download album.
All other dub tracks remixed from side one by Uri Green at Yam & Banana Studio, St Pauls, Bristol.
Original compositions by Seviour/Archer, and Seviour/Powell, except where noted.
Lyrics
Chorus
My country’s not
My country’s not
My country’s not for sale
My country’s not
My country’s not
My country’s not for sale
V1
Take your palace Li-li, li-li!”
Take your money Li-li, li-li!”
Take your bribery Li-li, li-li!”
Take your corruption Li-li, li-li!”
Think you can cajole . .…ooh
His warriors responded with their traditional war cry, “Li-li, li-li!”
in the responses
Me a man of integrity ..ooh
I’ve left my homeland ..ooh
To end your brutality “Li-li, li-li!” Ooh
Chorus
My country’s not
My country’s not
My country’s not for sale
My country’s not
My country’s not
My country’s not for sale
V2
Violent obsessor
Who’s taken my sovereignty
An evil transgressor
Who’s seized Abyssinia
Our country ’s name is Ethiopia
And soon the day will come
In the kingdom of god
The just will surely reign
To end this brutality
“We shall take the enemy’s weapons and make him return by the way he came,”
Chorus
My country’s not
My country’s not
My country’s not for sale
M8
Ethiopia
is not defeated ..
Ethiopia
our country’s not is not defeated
It will carry on its fight
To the last man
The lands been conquered
Fight
But not its people
Chorus
My country’s not ..not its people
My country’s not ..not its people
My country’s not for sale
My country’s not ..not its people
My country’s not ..not its people
My country’s not for sale
fight fascism tyranny
“Soldiers! Better to die free than to live as slaves.
Be cunning. Be savage!
Fight the nomad war--
Your emperor will be in your midst!”