Wimbo wa Zanzibar
I wrote this song after spending several weeks in Zanzibar studying at the Swahili Institute there. The song celebrates the unique culture of Zanzibar, and the local folks picked up on it very quickly. They especially loved to sing the last line, "I've never seen a town like Zanzibar," over and over again.

Sijaona mji kama Zanzibar,
I've never seen a town like Zanzibar
Watu wote hapa wananishanga.
Everybody here so surprises me
Watoto wananisalimia,
The children all politely greet me
Wana sema, "Good Morning," kama ni mchana.
They all say "Good Morning" when it's afternoon.

Nimejifunza hapa Taasisi.
Ni shule la lugha bora zaidi
Hapa utapata walimu wazuri,
Kama Mwalimu Jesha, mshairi.

Nimetembelea pande zote mjini
Kama Bwana Ali Mohamed, yangu rafiki
Alinionyesha sehemu nyingi
Na miguu imechoka kweli, kweli.

Nasikitikia jambo mojo tuu,
I am saddened by only one thing.
Hili linanichoma moyo wangu.
This pierces my very heart.
Lazima nirudi Tanzania Bara,
I must return to Tanzania mainland
Na sijaona mji kama Zanzibar.
And I've never seen a town like Zanzibar