MIRIAM MAKEBA
Sonke Mdluli
In this song Miriam Makeba sings in the Xhosa language. She is telling the story of how Xhosa people grow in the rural areas including their activities and change their lives when they move into Johannesburg to start a new life and activities in the mines.
Sonke Mdluli
“The Retreat Song”
Into…nga zama khwenkwe..ee
Zakujikelemila … Njweni hiyooo…. iyelelee
Kukakubethi … ntonga …booo
Iyohoo heleleee…
The boys' sticks
Will be going to the river
It's where the fighting happens
Iyohoo heleleee…
Amadoda ayoyikaaaaaa…
Ukujikele milanjweni hoo iyoo,,
Kubakubethintonga booo…
Iyo – hoo heleleeee…
Men are afraid
To go to the river
It's where the fighting happens.
Iyo – hoo heleleeee…
Jikele maweni ndiyahamba
Jikele maweni ndiyahamba
Jikele maweni ndiyahamba
Jikele maweni ndiyahamba
Let's go to the mines!
Let's go to the mines!
Let's go to the mines!
Let's go to the mines!
Ajika amadoda ajika kwabamandi
Ajika amadoda ajikelemgodini
Ajika amadoda ajika kwabamandi
Ajika amadoda ajikelemgodini
Men are dancing nicely
Men are dancing in the mines.
Men are dancing nicely
Men are dancing in the mines.
Axhensa amakhwenkwe
Axhensa kwabamandi
Axhensa amakhwenkwe
Axhenselemgodini
Young men are dancing
Men are dancing nicely
Men are dancing
They are dancing in the mines