All Songs
Shadows Over Dakar
DarkA unanimous vote in Senegal's parliament has just doubled prison sentences for same-sex relationships to ten years, with not a single legislator standing in opposition. This heartbreaking story from BBC News inspired "Shadows Over Dakar" — a song about what happens when fear replaces compassion in the halls of power.
This song was inspired by the headline: “Senegal approves tougher anti-gay law as rights groups raise concerns” from BBC News.
Lyrics
Verse 1
In the halls of Dakar, a vote was cast today
One hundred thirty-five said yes, and none stood in the way
Three abstained in silence while the chamber sealed a fate
Senegal wrote fear in ink, called punishment the gate
Ten years now the sentence, doubled from before
For love they call a crime behind a closing door
Chorus
Oh, the shadows fall on Dakar tonight
Where equality is fading from the light
Violence and fear will spike, the voices cry
While dignity and freedom slowly die
Who will stand for those who cannot speak?
The law has turned its back upon the weak
Verse 2
The parliament moved swiftly, not a single voice opposed
Promotion now a crime as well, another window closed
A wave of arrests last month for same-sex love alleged
And now the iron tightens on the lives already edged
The president must sign it, make it carved in stone
And thousands live in hiding, terrified, alone
Chorus
Oh, the shadows fall on Dakar tonight
Where equality is fading from the light
Violence and fear will spike, the voices cry
While dignity and freedom slowly die
Who will stand for those who cannot speak?
The law has turned its back upon the weak
Verse 3
The rights groups raise their warnings, non-discrimination lost
They count the human wreckage, try to calculate the cost
From Amnesty to advocates, they're sounding the alarm
That writing hate in statutes only multiplies the harm
In Senegal the people walk with terror in their bones
A nation built on teranga now is casting stones
Bridge
There was a time they spoke of brotherhood
Of welcome and of grace
But somewhere in the chambers
Fear replaced the human face
And history will judge the ones who chose
To double down on pain
While somewhere in the shadows
Someone whispers out a name
Chorus
Oh, the shadows fall on Dakar tonight
Where equality is fading from the light
Violence and fear will spike, the voices cry
While dignity and freedom slowly die
Who will stand for those who cannot speak?
The law has turned its back upon the weak
Inspired by real events. Names, details, and narrative may be fictionalized.
