Soweto Blues

The children got a letter from the master
It said no more Xhosa, Sotho, no more Zulu
Refusing to comply, they sent an answer
That's when the policemen came to the rescue
Well, the children were flying, bullets, dying
Oh the mothers screaming and crying
The fathers were working in the city

The evening news brought out all the publicity
Just a little atrocity
Deep in the city

Benikuphi na madoda xa bedubula abantwana
Benikuphi na?
Abantwana xa bejikijela ezizimbokodo
Benikuphi na?

There was a full moon on the golden city
Knocking at the door was the man without pity
Accusing everyone of conspiracy
Tightening the curfew, charging people with walking
Hmm, the border is where he was waiting
Waiting for the children
Frightened and running

A handful got away, but all the others
Are in the jail without any publicity
Just a little atrocity
Deep in the city

Benikuphi na madoda xa bedubula abantwana
Benikuphi na?
Abantwana xa bejikijela ezizimbokodo
Benikuphi na?

Soweto blues
Soweto blues
Soweto blues (awu yelele mama)
Soweto blues (oh, they are killing all the children)
Soweto blues (without any publicity)
Soweto blues (hmm, they are finishing our nation)
Soweto blues (while calling it black on black)
Soweto blues (while everybody knows they are behind it)
Soweto blues (without any publicity)
Soweto blues (basiqedil'isizwe sethu mawethu mama)
Soweto blues (awu yelele mama)
Soweto blues