This song always brings tears to my eyes and when I heard it on my iPod this morning, I knew it was my song for today. It reminds me of the way South Africa was 20 years ago and how far we have come. This song is about Mandela and his incarceration as well as the countless activists who were detained or disappeared.
More Music Monday posts at Lady Java’s Lounge.
I’ve copied the lyrics from the YouTube site. I do this not to breach copyright but to give you an idea of the incredible meaning of the lyrics.
Asimbonanga (Mandela)
Original from Third World Child 1987
Chorus : (2x)
Asimbonanga (We have not seen him)
Asimbonang' uMandela thina (We have not seen Mandela)
Laph'ekhona (In the place where he is)
Laph'ehleli khona (In the place where he is kept)
Oh the sea is cold and the sky is grey
Look across the Island into the Bay
We are all islands till comes the day
We cross the burning water
Chorus :
Asimbonanga (We have not seen him)
Asimbonang' uMandela thina (We have not seen Mandela)
Laph'ekhona (In the place where he is)
Laph'ehleli khona (In the place where he is kept)
A seagull wings across the sea
Broken silence is what I dream
Who has the words to close the distance
Between you and me
Chorus :
Asimbonanga (We have not seen him)
Asimbonang' uMandela thina (We have not seen Mandela)
Laph'ekhona (In the place where he is)
Laph'ehleli khona (In the place where he is kept)
Chorus :
Asimbonanga
Asimbonang 'umfowethu thina (we have not seen our brother)
Laph'ekhona (In the place where he is)
Laph'wafela khona (In the place where he died)
Chorus :
Asimbonanga
Asimbonang 'umfowethu thina (we have not seen our brother)
Laph'ekhona (In the place where he is)
Laph'wafela khona (In the place where he died)
Hey wena (Hey you!)
Hey wena nawe (Hey you and you as well)
Siyofika nini la' siyakhona (When will we arrive at our destination)
Chorus :
Asimbonanga
Asimbonang 'umfowethu thina (we have not seen our brother)
Laph'ekhona (In the place where he is)
Laph'wafela khona (In the place where he died)
