[Intro]
(Talking drum rhythm, soft congas, thumb piano motif)
Echoes on the market road — ah — ah — ah
We lift, we move, we call Your name
Hallelujah in the dust, mercy in the flame
[Verse 1]
Lagos sunrise, stalls fold into gold,
Grandmother's shawl, a story softly told.
Talking drum answers prayers down the lane,
Your love, O God, turns sorrow into gain.
You met me where the market dust met my shoes,
Where hunger hummed and hope had little news.
You whispered grace between the millet and the cries:
"Child, rise — my mercy fills these skies."
[Pre-Chorus]
Lift your hands — let the congas call,
Feet find the beat, every burden falls.
Voices climb — one street becomes a home,
Praise like rain — You will not leave us alone.
[Chorus — Leader]
Spirit of the drum, praise to You we raise;
In Your love, O Lord, we find our praise.
Mercy on these streets, joy in every day —
(Repeat) Spirit of the drum, lead us on Your way.
[Call & Response]
Leader: "Hallelujah!"
Choir: "Hallelujah!"
Leader: "Mercy in the market, mercy in the lane!"
Choir: "Mercy in the market — mercy in the lane!"
Short shout: "Yes — yes — yes!"
[Verse 2 — Testimony]
I was lost on the corner of doubt and shame,
Counting shadows, calling out no name.
You found me at dusk, hand outstretched in light,
Said, "Come home, child, walk into my sight."
From the gutter prayers to rooftop songs,
You turned my silence into choirs strong.
From broken pockets to a heart remade,
Your love, O Jesus, cast my chains away.
[Pre-Chorus 2]
Hear the talking drum, it tells of grace,
Quick syncopation, every soul in place.
Call it out — name it loud — let the alleys sing,
Praise like thunder, praise like spring.
[Chorus — Leader + Choir]
Spirit of the drum, praise to You we raise;
In Your love, O Lord, we find our praise.
Mercy on these streets, joy in every day —
(Choir echoes) Spirit of the drum, lead us on Your way.
[Bridge — Build / Testimony Call]
(Strip back to clave, soft bass)
Leader (spoken/testimony): "I came with empty hands; I leave with a song."
Choir (soft): "We came with empty hands; we leave with a song."
(Horns swell; beat grows)
We sing: "No chain holds what Your grace unties!"
Crowd: "No chain — no chain!"
Leader: "From market dust to highest hill —"
Choir: "Your love remains — Your love remains!"
[Gang Chorus — Climax]
Your love, O God, lights our road — we dance, we rise!
Drumbeat praise — in You we come alive!
Mercy moves our feet — joy fills the streets!
(Choir ad-libs: "Yah! Yah! Hallelujah!" Horn stabs, claps, stomps)
[Outro — Release]
So we march, so we sway, so we testify,
From dawn’s talking drum to the starry sky.
In market dust or palace halls, Your mercy calls —
Spirit of the drum, O Lord, we give You all.
(Last call — Leader/Choir)
Leader: "Hallelujah — come and stay!"
Choir: "Hallelujah — come and stay!"
Leader: "Mercy in the lane — mercy in the day!"
Choir: "Mercy in the lane — mercy in the day!"
[Tag — Whispered]
Your love, O Lord — makes our heartbeat.
