Johnny Clegg, Savuka - Woman Be My Country Lyrics

Here we stand at the edge of the day
Faces melting in the African rain
So many seasons of silent war
So many drowned before they reached the shore

Nothing is clear to me any more in this sad and strange landscape
I've got no defense, I've got no attack
I can't leave, I can't stay, I've got no way back
Hard to deal with the way things have been
I can't lie but the truth is so extreme

Woman be my country, until my country can be mine
Hide me deep inside your borders in these dark and troubled times
Remember me my innocence before I drowned in a sea of lies
Woman be my country, until my country can be mine

Too many seasons of quiet rage
Too many young people just wasted away
Too many futures hanging in the balance
So much owing, nothing left to pay

A lonely flag flutters in a breeze
For the hardened hearts who still want to believe

Am I the witness or am I the crime?
A victim of history or just a sign of the times?
Across my heart questions and shadows still fly
In the dead of the night I know where the answer lies

Woman be my country, until my country can be mine
I have no flag, I sing no anthem, I no longer carry an Armalite
Bathe me in your sweet rivers, anoint me with your touch and your smile
To your colours I give my allegiance, I lay it on the line

(Ngikhathele ngifile) Sengikhathile ngifile!
(Ngikhathele ngifile) Hawu kanti wasihluph' weqhat' izwe
(Ngikhathele ngifile) Ngeke njena
(Wena weqath' izwe) Yash' imizi yobaba
(Ngikhathele ngifile wena weqath' izwe) Weqath' izwe
(Ngikhathele ngifile zindaba zakho)

Woman be my country, until my country can be mine
I have no flag, I sing no anthem, I no longer carry an Armalite
Bathe me in your sweet rivers, anoint me with your touch and your smile
To your colours I give my allegiance, I lay it on the line

(Be my country) Oh, be my country tonight
(Be my country) So many wings with the wind
(Be my country) I lay it on the line
(Be my country)
(Be my country) Oh, remember me my innocence
(Be my country) Be my country, be my country
(Be my country) Be my country, be my country