Soweto Blues - Miriam Makeba

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

Children were flying bullets dying

The mothers screaming and crying

The fathers were working in the cities

The evening news brought out all the publicity:

Chorus: «Just a little atrocity, deep in the city»

Soweto blues

Soweto blues

Soweto blues

Soweto blues

Benikuphi ma madoda (where were the men)

Abantwana beshaywa (when the children were throwing stones)

Ngezimbokodo Mabedubula abantwana (when the children were being shot)

Benikhupi na (where were you?)

There was a full moon on the golden city

Looking at the door was the man without pity

Accusing everyone of conspiracy

Tightening the curfew charging people with walking

Yes, the border is where he was awaiting

Waiting for the children, frightened and running

A handful got away but all the others

Hurried their chain without any publicity

Chorus: «Just a little atrocity, deep in the city»

Soweto blues

Soweto blues

Soweto blues

Soweto blues

Chorus: Benikuphi ma madoda (where were the men) abantwana beshaywa (when the

children were throwing stones) ngezimbokodo

Mabedubula abantwana (when the children were being shot) Benikhupi na (where

were you?)

Soweto blues

Soweto blues

Soweto blues — abu yethu a mama

Soweto blues — they are killing all the children

Soweto blues — without any publicity

Soweto blues — oh, they are finishing the nation

Soweto blues — while calling it black on black

Soweto blues — but everybody knows they are behind it

Soweto Blues — without any publicity

Soweto blues — they are finishing the nation

Soweto blues — god, somebody, help!

Soweto blues — (abu yethu a mama)

Soweto blues