Verse 1 The British Museum impressive indeed, Treasure pon treasure, every creed. Pound fuh pound, dem stand so tall, Most astonishing place of all. Paris and Brussels cyah compete, Berlin and Rome dem face defeat. Even Athens looking small, When London showing off it all! Chorus But most of it stolen—plain and clear! Taken away, brought over there! From Africa, Asia, far and wide, Packed in ships with imperial pride! Give it back! Give it back! Return what never belonged to you! ⸻ Verse 2 Look at the famous Rosetta Stone, Egypt crying, “Bring it home!” Stolen from Kemet long ago, History the whole world know. Then come the grand Elgin Marbles too, Greece still asking, “What you goin’ do?” Masterpieces rich and rare, Tell me why they staying there? Chorus Most of it stolen—plain and clear! Taken away, brought over there! From Africa, Asia, far and wide, Packed in ships with imperial pride! Give it back! Give it back! Return what never belonged to you! ⸻ Verse 3 Now hear me out on Benin bronze, Master art of African hands. Brilliant statues, sacred gold, Stories of kingdoms proud and old. Taken away in days of shame, Looted treasure—change the name! If truth was told for all to see, That museum would near empty! Chorus Most of it stolen—plain and clear! Taken away, brought over there! From Africa, Asia, far and wide, Packed in ships with imperial pride! Give it back! Give it back! Return what never belonged to you! ⸻ Verse 4 Close the museum if you must, Face the past and earn our trust. Right the wrongs of history, Set those stolen spirits free. Returning home what should be there, Is only justice, only fair. Let the nations dry their tears, End the crime of all these years! Final Chorus (with lift) Most of it stolen—plain and clear! Taken away, brought over there! From Africa, Asia, far and wide, Packed in ships with imperial pride! Give it back! Give it back! Justice calling—answer that! [voice} Give Benin their due, set the record straight, History too long carry... too much weight!
