Ubuntu (Water into Wine) - Sage Francis

Ntokozo wants a yo-yo.

A yo-yo.

A yo-yo

She learned about the ups and downs

The kiddies want a photo.

A photo.

A photo

I let them take my camera so they can make their rounds

Thandiwe want’s some paper.

More paper.

More paper

She’s the boss.

She draws Christmas trees with snow

I’m taking 'em home.

All home

To the snowmen to show them what I think they need to know

About Zinhle, Sfundo, Zakheni

Snetemba… survivor…a promise made to many

An army of old souls in a battlefield of scattered ashes

Lost ancient wisdom, and ignored AIDS symptoms

UBUNTU.

What’s good for me is good for you

These brave soldiers combat the enemies of truth

In a broken system with an open wound that will never heal

If we just accept the way it is and never deal

An infection can spread to the head if you let it

Don’t let it affect the way you think… like «this is it.»

Oh, this is it?

That’s all there is for all these kids?

These warriors?

A never ending waiting list at an orphanage?

As water drips in the bucket, I could add another drop

But I’ve got a feeling… that drop won’t fix the leaky ceiling

If the leak gets fixed, what about when the roof collapses?

Six siblings sleeping on a single mattress

UBUNTU.

What’s bad for you is bad for me

Zinhle, Sfundo, Snetemba, Zakheni

Ntokozo, Thandiwe, stay strong… be brave

I’ll make sure this world knows your names

You were born on the front lines of a country that isn’t mine

With a virus I don’t have, our family has no ties

Nevertheless, I see you

Sawubona.

Yebo.

Unjani?

I’m fine

I’m just praying for science to turn water into wine

I’m just praying for science to turn water into wine

I’m praying we’re not just left with prayer all the time

Ntokozo wants a yo-yo.

A yo-yo.

A yo-yo

She learned about the ups and downs

The kiddies want a photo.

A photo.

A photo

I let them take my camera so they can make their rounds

I’ve seen townships stand proud in the freeze-frame of a motion picture

I’ve seen kids risk exposing themselves to a social stigma

In the name of breaking patterns and cycles of ignorance

Hearts full of hope, eyes full of innocence

These are heros.

Now I call to the heads of State

Recognize greatness when it’s in your face

I traveled half the globe to see boys and girls stuck

Without assistance.

You insisted on hosting the World Cup?

That ain’t love, brother.

What happened to you?

You beautified the parts of the city that tourists travel through

You built a gorgeous stadium that can’t sustain itself

Flexing superficial muscles in a false display of wealth

Your most important resources need major help

Think of how the medication and information on AIDS is dealt

Beautify the way you save yourself

For God’s sake, for human sake, for the sake of public health

One medicine drop in a bucket eventually evaporates

The socks I bought Zakheni won’t fix fractures or breaks

It’s not my suffering.

It’s not my needlessly complex infrastructure

It’s not my culture.

Nevertheless I see you

Sawubona.

Yebo.

Unjani.

How YOU doin'?

I’m fine

I’m just praying for science to turn water into wine

Ntokozo wants a yo-yo.

A yo-yo.

A yo-yo

She knows about the ups and downs

The kiddies want a photo.

A photo.

A photo

I let them take my camera so they can make their rounds

Thandiwe want’s some paper.

More paper.

More paper

She’s the boss.

She draws Christmas trees with snow

I’m taking 'em home.

All home

To the snowmen to show them what I think they need to know

Along with this praise poem and every child’s photo

Inspiration given by Zinhle, Sfundo

Thandiwe, Promise, Zakheni, Ntokozo

The kids call me «Big Show» -- that’s better than no show