Liberian Calypso (Live Montreux Jazz Festival 1987] Songtext
von Nina Simone

Al Sharkman on guitar
Neodore Flaming on percussion
And Paul Robinson on drums
And this is a song we learned from uh
From when we were in Libraria
For the three years we lived there
I guessed most of you know about that

When we were in Africa for three years we learned this
And it′s called Librarian Calypso
And in the middle of it all
I want you to sing with me run Nina
I'll show you how it goes

Run Nina run Nina run Nina run Nina run Nina
Are you gonna say it with me?
Are you gonna say it with me?
Run Nina
OK let′s try it again
Eh eh don't play that this time
Let's see if we can get them to say "run Nina"


In 1974 that′s the year
I went straight home ′cause I had so much to fear
I had dreamed for oh so long
That one day I'd be going home
Fun day there′s gossip in the town
Nobody knows what's really going down
Stench, smells I couldn′t stand it
The dirtier you are the more you are here (run, Nina)

Oh I got to go (run Nina)
Oh the man's at the door (run Nina)
Run as fast as you can (run Nina)
God is holding me hand
OK now you got it

In 1974 that′s the year
I went straight home 'cause I had so much to fear
I had dreamed for oh so long
That one day I'd be going home
There′s so much gossip in the town
Nobody knows what′s really going down
Stench, smells I couldn't stand it
The dirtier you are the more you are here (run, Nina)

Oh I got to go (run Nina)
Oh the man′s at the door (run Nina)
Run as fast as you can (run Nina)
God is holding me hand


When I first got to Africa, I was glad
I thought at last I wouldn't be had
So I went to disco-tech one night
And danced myself right out of sight
What I mean is this, I went with a friend
We sat through the night, right through the end
The music was American and oh so good
So I jumped up just where I could (run Nina)

Oh I got to go (run Nina)
Oh the man′s at the door (run Nina)
Run as fast as you can (run Nina)
God is holding me hand

My body start movin' all around
I was so happy to be in town
And as I slowing began to strip
Everybody thought I was so hip
I danced all over the place
You know all over the ceiling all over the floor
Up in the balcony, all around
I felt so good just being in town (run Nina)

Oh I got to go (run Nina)
Oh the man′s at the door (run Nina)
Run as fast as you can (run Nina)
God is holding me hand

My joy was complete you know
My friend was happy, he said, "go go"
I danced for hours, hours on end
I thought "dear lord, you are my friend"
He brought me home to Liberia
And all other places are inferior
He brought me home to Liberia
And all other places are inferior (run Nina)

Oh I got to go (run Nina)
Oh the man's at the door (run Nina)
Run as fast as you can (run Nina)
God is holding me hand (run Nina)

Run as fast as you can (run Nina)
Oh the man's at the door (run Nina)
Run as fast as you can (run Nina)
God is holding me hand

My joy was complete you know
My friend was happy, he said, "go go"
I danced for hours, hours on end
I said "dear lord, you are my friend"
He brought me home to Liberia
And all other places are inferior
He brought me home to Liberia
And all other places are inferior (run Nina)

Oh I got to go (run Nina)
Oh the man′s at the door (run Nina)
Run as fast as you can (run Nina)
God is holding me hand
Run as fast as you can (run Nina)
Oh the man′s at the door (run Nina)
Run as fast as you can (run Nina)
God is holding me hand