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 children were flying, bullets, dying Oh the mothers screaming and crying The fathers were working in the cities 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 our 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 --- Soweto Blues - Miriam Makeba