He's had bicycles and sons 
He's had salted fish and dark rum 
Now his days are almost done 
In the Lagos slums 

He was a farmer for a while 
Growin' plantains by the coastline 
And some said he had a smile 
Like a movie star 

La ah La ah ah ah 

(He) met his wife one Friday night 
At a dance hall near the train tracks 
And his heart soared like a kite 
In the evening light 

(He) worked the oil fields once 
Saved some money for his family 
Built a house near Eden's Point 
Where they raised their boys 

He says it's hard to be a man 
Who works and still can't feed his children 
But he does the best he can 
In the New World Plan 

We're all forgotten 
This road leads nowhere