Steam ship sail down the river
Fight the mosquitoes that lie in the swamp
White smoke cover the jungle see Dr. Livingston land with a thump

Down where the sad widows gather
Young women weep for their dying babies
I am a white man in Africa
If I were to stay here there'd be no one to save me
I hear the drums, I know it's urgent
I hear survival in his hands
Switch to record, I get the picture
But I will never understand

Mad world invisible army
blow up the bridges and come like a storm
Young girl eyes full of promise
Carry the baby and keeping it warm
down where the sad widows gather
Young men go down on their knees
I am a white man in Africa
With more than just my god to appease

I hear the drums, I know it's urgent
I hear survival in his hands
Switch to record I get the picture
But I will never understand

How there is love in his face
In the midst of all this waste
In the Mozambique sun under the gun
I hear the drums, I hear survival in his hands, I hear the drums
There is a curse upon this land
hear the drums, know it's urgent
hear survival in his hands
hit record get the picture, I will never understand