This song is about the famine in Ethiopia in about 1984. Manna is the food that miraculously appeared in the desert to feed the Israelites, now Western aircraft promise miracles, but death is the certain harvest. Politicians sharpening their knives - at the time of famine, there was also war within Ethiopia, in which foreign countries (US, USSR as was) also played a role.
Ethiopians usually have a very beautiful dark and fine skin. So we might consider them "ebony" rather than "ivory". But maybe the unfortunate woman appears white through the paleness of near-death, or maybe from the dust. Many Ethiopians are Christians, belonging to one of the oldest Christian churches in the world, and are very religious.
Food for thought at Christmastime of 1984, and now too. Even now, there is near starvation in parts of Ethiopia and Somalia - while the US encourages Ethiopia to invade Somalia.
This song is about the famine in Ethiopia in about 1984. Manna is the food that miraculously appeared in the desert to feed the Israelites, now Western aircraft promise miracles, but death is the certain harvest. Politicians sharpening their knives - at the time of famine, there was also war within Ethiopia, in which foreign countries (US, USSR as was) also played a role.
Ethiopians usually have a very beautiful dark and fine skin. So we might consider them "ebony" rather than "ivory". But maybe the unfortunate woman appears white through the paleness of near-death, or maybe from the dust. Many Ethiopians are Christians, belonging to one of the oldest Christian churches in the world, and are very religious.
Food for thought at Christmastime of 1984, and now too. Even now, there is near starvation in parts of Ethiopia and Somalia - while the US encourages Ethiopia to invade Somalia.
For me this song is heart-breaking.