Travel Journals

"Hail to the Paramount Chief" by Steve Wellington
 A Song with One Photo

Trip Journals

Sung to the Tune "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"

REFRAIN:

Jeff Hall, our Paramount Chief

Sierra Leone is where we did roam

Jeff Hall, our Paramount Chief

O Africa has taken us home.

VERSES:

We landed in Freetown and what did we see

Sierra Leone is where we did roam

A people so friendly and longing to be free

O Africa has taken us home.

We loaded up the trucks and headed toward the bush

Sierra Leone is where we did roam

The roads were so bumpy and painful on the tush

O Africa has taken us home.

We arrived in Jokibu to a huge celebration

Sierra Leone is where we did roam

The people were all gathered and full of jubilation

O Africa has taken us home.

REFRAIN:

Jeff Hall, our Paramount Chief

Sierra Leone is where we did roam

Jeff Hall, our Paramount Chief

O Africa has taken us home.

VERSES:

The school kids all were singing, the dancers all were shaking

Sierra Leone is where we did roam

We handed out our presents, so many for the taking

O Africa has taken us home.

We stayed in Jokibu and Pujehun and Foindu

Sierra Leone is where we did roam

We inspected all those roofs, so shiny and so new

O Africa has taken us home.

We discovered all the wells were broken and polluted

Sierra Leone is where we did roam

Tom picked new well locations in places that were suited

O Africa has taken us home.

REFRAIN:

Jeff Hall, our Paramount Chief

Sierra Leone is where we did roam

Jeff Hall, our Paramount Chief

O Africa has taken us home.

VERSES:

The farewell celebration was noisy, hot, and happy

Sierra Leone is where we did roam

The villagers we danced with, the tunics all were snappy

O Africa has taken us home.

Oh no, another flat tire, our adventure wasn't over

Sierra Leone is where we did roam

The airport was the pits; delays left us like rovers

O Africa has taken us home.

Through trials and tribulations, Jeff made the trip go 'round

Sierra Leone is where we did roam

Three cheers to our leader; we came home safe and sound

O Africa has taken us home.

REFRAIN:

Jeff Hall, our Paramount Chief

Sierra Leone is where we did roam

Jeff Hall, our Paramount Chief

O Africa has taken us home.

Editor's Note: This song was sung by the 2006 Sierra Leone tour members on June 25, 2006 after their return, with many thanks to Jeff Hall. .                       

In May 2006, Jeff Hall--leader of the fifteen U.S. travelers to the three villages--was made an honorary Paramount Chief of one of the regional Chiefdoms--the equivalent of being made an honorary prince, duke, or king.  Jeff and the other travelers also received many other honors, especially honorary tunics.  This song is an homage to Jeff, to the trip and the villagers who welcomed the group so warmly, and to the "Flat Tire Choir" that the travelers developed while waiting for one of five flat tires to be changed.

 Lyrics Copyright 2006 by Steve Wellington

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Jeff Hall receiving one of his many
honorary awards in village ceremonies