Abdi Iftin, Mother’s Day, and The Power of Words
Abdi Iftin is the author of Call Me American.
Dear Readers,
During the first weekend in May, I had the honor of getting to know Abdi Nor Iftin. He grew up in Mogadishu, Somalia and learned to speak English by watching the movies where Arnold Schwarznegger played lead roles. Abdi came to the United States four years ago, having won the visa immigration lottery. A family in Maine shared their home with him. His life story honors his mother, Madinah Ibrahim Moalim, but he told me that he honors his mother in all he does.
As his book allowed me and my fellow American citizens to further appreciate our motherland, it occurred to me to take an old song with a traditional tune and bend it to fit my experience of getting to know Abdi. What follows is that “bend.” Please forgive me if I’ve done anything politically incorrect here; I was only tapping into a way to find joy.
Music and lyrics here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKgstp9PnJU
YANKEE DOODLE and Abdi Iftin
Yankee Doodle went to town Abdi Iftin came to town
A-riding on a pony Flying in an airplane
He stuck a feather in his hat Of his book he spoke a lot
And called it macaroni. And gave a message humane.
(CHORUS)
Yankee Doodle, keep it up
Yankee Doodle dandy
Mind the music and the step
And with the girls be handy.
Abdi Iftin, keep it up
Abdi Iftin writer
Mind your book tour and your heart
You’re making this world brighter.
Father and I went down to camp, Abdi Iftin went to dance
Along with Captain Goodin’, The Rhythm Room was humming
And there we see the men and boys He met a man named Sule Greg*
As thick as hasty puddin’. Whose expertise is drumming.
(CHORUS)
Yankee Doodle, keep it up
Yankee Doodle dandy
Mind the music and the step
And with the girls be handy.
Abdi Iftin, keep it up
Abdi Iftin writer
Mind your book tour and your heart
You’re making this world brighter.
And there was Gen’ral Washington, And there were allies all around
Upon a slapping stallion, Friends and neighbors dancing
A-giving orders to his men Joyfulness — it filled the place
I guess there was a million. As Abdi was advancing!
(CHORUS)
Yankee Doodle, keep it up
Yankee Doodle dandy
Mind the music and the step
And with the girls be handy.
Abdi Iftin, keep it up
Abdi Iftin writer
Mind your book tour and your heart
You’re making this world brighter.
A long war then was fought and won: This world can be a better place
The British were defeated, As fears get defeated
And Yankee Doodle was the march While Abdi Iftin keeps it real
To which their troops retreated. In seeing love repeated.
(CHORUS)
Yankee Doodle, keep it up
Yankee Doodle dandy
Mind the music and the step
And with the girls be handy.
Abdi Iftin, keep it up
Abdi Iftin writer
Mind your book tour and your heart
You’re making this world brighter.
- Sule Greg Wilson is a teacher, speaker, author, storyteller, and musician. You can meet him here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSCLQGPgzOw and here: www.sulegregwilson.com/about.html
- Thank you, dear readers, for allowing me to share this slice of my life — and Abdi’s.
