Following are excerpts
from a rap song performed by Yemeni comedian Adre'i, which was posted
on the Internet on March 6, 2011:
Crowds: The people
wants to topple the regime.
The people wants to topple
the regime.
Adre'i: You've
been waiting for a year, nothing will happen to you if you wait another
day. Please, don't hurry, even if the heat grows. Why should we be in
a hurry? With your permission, people, why not be patient for another
30 days?
Crowds: The people
wants to topple the regime.
The people wants to topple
the regime.
Adre'i: Be reasonable,
people, it's harmful to go berserk. The government is a lethal poison
– whoever upsets it finds his way to the grave. They will bring in
the entire army, and declare a state of emergency. They will kill you,
they will jail you, we can't run away from them...
Crowds: The people
wants to topple the regime.
The people wants to topple
the regime.
Adre'i: If we
must agree on something, since you don't seem to be impressed by the
danger, let's hold an intensive dialogue with them [with the regime],
and reach an agreement with them, on behalf of the citizens. That's
it, this would be their last chance, because we...
Crowds: The people
wants to topple the regime.
The people wants to topple
the regime.
Adre'i: Okay,
calm down. I want to tell you something. If you don't accept this, I
have a much better idea – How about holding elections? We will present
the candidacy of our best man, and let bygones be bygones. Whoever gets
to the throne will provide us with guarantees. We will share the rule,
and stop chewing qat, because the qat...
Crowds: The people
wants to topple the regime.
The people wants to topple
the regime.
Adre'i: I don't
know what to do with you... How about waiting for a little, or maybe
we can let the president deal with this issue. He will act sincerely
to change things...
Interjection by another
performer: These suggestions are unreasonable…
Crowds: The people
wants to topple the regime.
The people wants to topple
the regime.
Adre'i: People,
how about we sit down with him, and offer him to address the parliament,
instead of going on demonstrations which lead you to jail – after
all, this is not Cairo of Tunis…
Crowds: The people
wants to topple the regime.
The people wants to topple
the regime.
Adre'i: What
would you say if he told you he would change the government, would hold
a banquet for the hungry every day, would give salaries to the unemployed
youth, and would supply mattresses to the people lying in the streets…?
Crowds: The people
wants to topple the regime.
The people wants to topple
the regime.
Adre'i: He said
he would put the corrupt on trial, and chop off the hands of thieves
and criminals – even those who have already retired – and would
help you with money and jobs, and would help the blind and the handicapped,
and would open the voters' registry...
Crowds: The people
wants to topple the regime.
The people wants to topple
the regime.
Adre'i: I know
what you want. You've been lied to for too long. They have a ball at
your expense, and you are poor, what can you do? Even I am fed up like you are...
Crowds: The people
wants to topple the regime.
The people wants to topple
the regime.
The people wants to topple
the regime.
The people wants to topple
the regime.
Song:
If the people ever wants to be alive, it must respond to the call of
destiny, the night must end, and the shackles must be shattered…
Crowds: The people
wants to topple the regime.
The people wants to topple
the regime.
The people wants to topple
the regime.
The people wants to topple
the regime.
