Marjorie Oludhe-Macgoye on those Relas

A Freedom Song
Visitors need much attention,
Atieno washes dishes,

All the more when I work night.

Atieno plucks the chicken,

That girl spends too long at market.

Atieno gets up early,

Who will teach her what is right?

Beds her sacks down in the kitchen,

Atieno rising fourteen,

Atieno eight years old,

Atieno yo.

Atieno yo.

Atieno's had a baby

Since she is my sister's child
So we know that she is bad.
Atieno needs no pay.
Fifty fifty it may live
While she works my wife can sit
And repeat the life she had
Sewing every sunny day:
Ending in post-partum bleeding,
With he earnings I support
Atieno yo.
Atieno yo.

Atieno's soon replaced;

Atieno' sly and jealous,
Meat and sugar more than all
Bad example to the kids
She ate in such a narrow life
Since she minds them, like a schoolgirl
Were lavished at her funeral.
Wants their dresses, shoes and beads,
Atieno's gone to glory,
Atieno ten years old,
Atineo yo.
Atieno yo.

Now my wife has gone to study

Atieno is less free.
Don't I keep her, school my own ones,
Pay the party, union fee,
All for progress! Arent you grateful
Atieno yo?