Lyrics Tree Without a Name - John Edmond

In Africa so long ago stood an old Tamboti tree
And it said to the beasts and birds below
You should shape your life like me
I can give you food and shelter if for me you'll care
If we learn to give and take this paradise we'll share
But the birds all said you have no name and would not hear the tree
We'll take from you and will not give and the scorned the Tamboti
So the old Tamboti bade all trees no fruit nor leaves to bear
Until the birds all gave their word for animals to care
Muti Usina Zita means tree without a name
But that ancient tree is a Tamboti
And it saved the birds from shame
The honey badger roams the forest seeking out the hive
To help him on his daily quest he has the honey guide
This little bird seeks out the bees and beckons to the beast
The badger claws the honeycomb and together they share the feast
In the rolling bush where the antelope roam
and the hunter plans his kill
In the big tall trees the grey loerie's cry out a warning shrill
Kweh go weh they seem to say to the hunter as he walks
And the antelope all run away no matter how the hunter stalks
Muti Usina Zita means tree without a name
But that ancient tree is a Tamboti
And it saved the birds from shame
Upon the mighty river Nile the Egyptian plover bird
Spends a while with the crocodile and I know it seems absurd
And the crocodile lies on the bank with his yellow mouth open wide
And the plover picks the crocodiles teeth and walks around inside
Upon the plains the buffalo are roaming fair and free
And often perched upon their backs the oxpecker you'll see
He keeps the herds all free from ticks and works so tirelessly
Remembering the wishes of the old Tamboti tree
Muti Usina Zita means tree without a name
But that ancient tree is a Tamboti
And it saved the birds from shame