[Intro — Deep Bass Harmonic Hum]
Mmmmhmmmmm... (long sustain, grounding tone)
BASS ANCHOR: choose D2 → F#2 → A2 (or E2 → G2 → B2) — hold through first 4 bars
(Count-in: 1...2...3... Stomp(1)–Stomp(2)–Clap(3) on next phrase)
[Verse 1 — Male Solo (Deep Bass)]
Broken but believing, we stand as one, (8 syl) Stomp–stomp–clap on: Bro-ken / but / (clap) 'one'
Pressed but praying, until the fight is won. (8 syl) Stomp–stomp–clap on: Pressed / but / (clap) 'won'
Carrying scars, Scripture, struggle, and hope, (10 syl) (bass hum anchors on second half of phrase)
Under Lusaka skies, we rise, we cope. (8 syl)
[Response — Female Alto (Sharp)]
We are still rising! (4 syl) (short ululation on last syllable, 2-note: 'woo-oo')
[Chorus — Call & Response with Local Tag]
Leader (Male — clear declaration): "Tuli abena Lusaka" [LOCAL PHRASE — suggested Bemba/Nyanja: "Tuli abana ba Lusaka" (we are children/people of Lusaka). PLEASE VERIFY with a native speaker.]
(6 syl) — align: Tu-li / a-be-na / (clap)
Group (High Female response, layered harmony): Lusaka youth, strong and free, (6 syl)
Leader (Female — call): "Twakulila mu mitima" [LOCAL PHRASE — suggested Bemba: "Twakulila mu mitima" (we grew in our hearts/through trials). PLEASE VERIFY.]
(7 syl) — align: Twa-ku-li-la / (stomp)
Group (Male deep anchor): Faith unbroken, living hope! (6 syl)
[Rhythmic Interlude — Stomp–Stomp–Clap with Layered Hums]
Stomp, stomp, clap! (build x4)
Hum (alto) — Ahhh-ahhh (thin) (bars 1–4)
Hum (tenor) — Mmm-mmm (add 2nd harmony) (bars 5–8)
Bass hold (deep) — D2 (or chosen anchor) sustaining through bars 1–8
(Notation: each 'Stomp' is beat 1 and 2; 'Clap' is beat 3. Repeat 3–4 times and grow volume each cycle.)
[Verse 2 — Female Solo (Emotional, rising)]
Pressed by city struggles, but prayers our shield, (10 syl) Stomp–stomp–clap on: Pressed / by / (clap) 'shield'
In compounds we gather, our stories revealed. (10 syl)
We sing of Kalingalinga mornings, Matero dusk, (10 syl) (local image: specific compound names for authenticity)
By the tap, beneath the tin, our prayers are husk. (9 syl)
[Response — Male Tenor]
We are still rising! (4 syl) (ululation: 3-note celebratory trill: woo-o-oo on the last 'rising')
[Duet — Male Bass & Female Alto (trade lines; clear handoffs indicated)]
Bass (anchor line — single-note melody options provided below): Fighting but faithful, scars our testimony, (10 syl)
BASS ANCHOR OPTIONS for solo line: Option A: D2 (whole bar) → F#2 (half) → A2 (half);
Option B: E2 → G2 → B2 (choose based on bass comfort). Keep single-line, low, and sustained through first phrase.
Alto (answer — higher, piercing): Strength in our voices, a holy symphony. (9 syl)
Bass (handoff): Before city and God, our prayers declare, (9 syl) (bass drops a low pedal on 'God')
Alto (lead into shout): WE ARE STILL RISING! We’re standing here! (8 syl) (both step forward on final two syllables)
[Full Chorus — All Voices, Four-Part Harmony]
Broken but believing
