Batuka
Lyrics
It's a long way (it's a long way)
It's a long way (it's a long way)
It's a long day (it's a long day)
It's a long day (it's a long day)
Lord have Mercy (Lord have Mercy)
Things have got to change (things have got to change)
There's a storm ahead (there's a storm ahead)
I hear the wind blowing (I hear the wind blowing)
Let me catch my breath (let me catch my breath)
Will we win this race? (Will we win this race?)
Swear the road is long (swear the road is long)
And the highway listens (and the highway listens)
'Cause it's a long way ('cause it's a long way)
It's a long way (it's a long way)
'Cause it's a long day ('cause it's a long day)
It's a long day (it's a long day)
I was up all night
I said a little prayer
Get that old man
Put him in a jail
Where he can't stop us (where he can't stop us)
Where he can't hurt us (where he can't hurt us)
We will stand tall (we will stand tall)
Underneath this tree (underneath this tree)
'Cause it's a
'Cause it's a long way ('cause it's a long way)
It's a long way (it's a long way)
'Cause it's a long day ('cause it's a long day)
It's a long day
But when we can stop it all (but when we can stop it all)
In the right way (in the right way)
Will we stand together? (Will we stand together?)
It's a new day (it's a new day)
So don't judge a human (so don't judge a human)
'Til you're in their shoes ('til you're in their shoes)
If you have a dream (if you have a dream)
Then you can't stop us (then you can't stop us)
Sing, "Hallelujah" (sing, "Hallelujah")
Say, "Amen" (say, "Amen")
Sing, "Hallelujah" (sing, "Hallelujah")
And say, "Amen" (and say, "Amen")
I say, "Oh, yeah" (I say, "Oh, yeah")
I said, "Oh, yeah" (I said, "Oh, yeah")
I say, "Amen" (I say, "Amen")
I sing, "Hallelujah" (I sing, "Hallelujah")
'Cause it's a long way ('cause it's a long way)
It's a long way (it's a long way)
'Cause it's a long day ('cause it's a long day)
It's a long day
Credits
Written by Madonna, David Banda, and Mirwais Ahmadzai
Produced by Madonna and Mirwais Ahmadzai
Backing vocals by Batukadeiras Orchestra
Album
Video
The Batuka music video premiered on July 19, 2019 on the website Refinery29, together with an exclusive interview with Madonna talking about how she met the Orquestra Batukadeiras. The video - directed by Emmanuel Adjei who also worked on the Dark Ballet video - was filmed off the coast of Lisbon and it doesn't focus on Madonna but rather on the Batukadeiras, their singing and dancing, and their sisterhood.
Tour
One of the highlights of the Madame X Tour was when Madonna brought the Cape Verdean Orquesta Batukadeiras on stage, to recreate the powerful singing & dancing style of Batuque. M gave the spotlight to these wonderful singers, who took turns dancing and performing as their sisters sat around them in a circle, playing their drums. Within the intimate setting of the small theatre, the power and intensity of Batuka was amplified even more.