the crossing
Johnny Clegg / Savuka Lyrics
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At every breath that I take
Through all the nights I have lain alone
In someone else's dream, awake
All the words in truth that were spoken
That the wind has blown away
Oh, it's only you that remains with me
O siyeza, o siyeza
Sizofika webaba noma
O siyeza, o siyeza
Siyagudle lomhlaba
Siyawela lapheshaya
Lulezontaba ezimnyama
Lapha sobheka phansi
Konke ukhulupheka
A punch-drunk man in a downtown bar
Takes a beating without making a sound
Through swollen eyes, he sways and he smiles
'Cause no one can put him down
Inside of him a boy looks up to his father
For a sign or an approvin' eye
Oh, it's funny how those once so close and now gone
Still so affect our lives
O siyeza (oh, I'm comin'), o siyeza (I'll be comin')
Sizofika webaba noma (you know the tide is turnin')
O siyeza, o siyeza (you know the tide is turnin')
Siyagudle lomhlaba (make my crossin')
Siyawela lapheshaya (over this dark land)
Lulezontaba ezimnyama (gonna touch your face)
Lapha sobheka phansi (gonna lay me down)
Konke ukhulupheka (in your grace)
Take me now
Don't let go
Hold me close
I'm comin' home
O siyeza (oh, I'm comin'), o siyeza (I'll be comin')
Sizofika webaba noma (you know the tide is turnin')
O siyeza, o siyeza (I'm tellin' you, the tide is turnin')
Siyagudle lomhlaba (gonna make this crossin')
Siyawela lapheshaya (over this dark land)
Lulezontaba ezimnyama (gonna touch your face)
Lapha sobheka phansi (gonna lay me down)
Konke ukhulupheka (in that green field of grace)
O siyeza (oh, I'm comin'), o siyeza (oh, I'm comin')
Sizofika webaba noma (oh, I'm comin', oh, I'm comin')
O siyeza, o siyeza (oh, I'm comin', gonna lay me down)
Siyagudle lomhlaba
Siyawela lapheshaya (gonna make my crossin' over this dark land)
Lulezontaba ezimnyama (I'm gonna touch your face)
Lapha sobheka phansi (gonna lay me down)
Konke ukhulupheka (in your green fields of grace)
O siyeza, o siyeza
Sizofika webaba noma
O siyeza, o siyeza
Siyagudle lomhlaba
Siyawela lapheshaya
Lulezontaba ezimnyama
Lapha sobheka phansi
The lyrics of Johnny Clegg's song The Crossing convey a message of perseverance and hope despite difficult and trying circumstances. The opening lines describe a struggle to maintain one's breath throughout difficult days and nights spent alone in the dream of another. Though the wind may have blown away all spoken truth, there is one constant presence - a person or memory - that remains clear as the light of day. The second verse tells the story of a man taking a beating in a downtown bar but refusing to be put down; he looks up to his absent father for approval. These people and memories that were once intimately close continue to affect our lives even when they are no longer present.
Line by Line Meaning
Through all the days that eat away
Despite all the challenging times
At every breath that I take
Throughout every moment of my life
Through all the nights I have lain alone
During the many sleepless nights I have spent by myself
In someone else's dream, awake
While fully aware of the fact that someone else is dreaming of me
All the words in truth that were spoken
All the honest words that have been spoken
That the wind has blown away
That have been forgotten or lost over time
Oh, it's only you that remains with me
It is only you who I still remember
Clear as the light of day
As vividly as if it just happened yesterday
O siyeza, o siyeza
I am coming, I am coming
Sizofika webaba noma
We will arrive, father, no matter what
Siyagudle lomhlaba
We will cross this dark land
Siyawela lapheshaya
We will move quietly
Lulezontaba ezimnyama
Through the dark mountains
Lapha sobheka phansi
Where we look down below
Konke ukhulupheka
Everything is in chaos
A punch-drunk man in a downtown bar
A man who has been beaten and is disoriented
Takes a beating without making a sound
Is able to endure the beating without making any noise
Through swollen eyes, he sways and he smiles
Even with his wounds, he manages to keep smiling
'Cause no one can put him down
Because he refuses to be defeated
Inside of him a boy looks up to his father
The man is a son looking up to his father
For a sign or an approvin' eye
Hoping for a sign of approval
Oh, it's funny how those once so close and now gone
It's ironic how people who were once close are now separated
Still so affect our lives
Still have a significant impact on our lives
Take me now
Take me with you now
Don't let go
Don't leave me behind
Hold me close
Hold me tightly
I'm comin' home
I'm returning home
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT (FRANCE), Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Jonathan Paul Clegg
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SoniaJbrt
Crying... Will take a long time to not cry whenever I hear a song of Johnny Clegg. He changed lives, his music opened my eyes to a wonderful world that I didn’t know as a child but was so extatic to discover. It shaped me as a human being. How wonderful to cross from this temporary world to our eternal Home im Heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ. To live is for Christ, to die is eternal gain! Thank you for this song and all your wonderful music Johnny Clegg 💗
@ramelak1635
I'm Indian living in Botswana and had the good fortune of seeing this legend as,an opening act for Santana at the FNB stadium in Joburg. Was blown away...may we all get some inspiration from him
@tebogophalantoa6442
You will forever be missed great one, South Africa has lost.💔
@Francloy1
Sad day today
@dude124353
Live in Australia now, but will never forget one of the greatest South Africans of my time. Blows my mind how little the rest of the world knows of such an amazing artist
@kimmicole991
My husband introduced me to his music in 1991 and got to see him 2yrs ago. This is so heartbreaking.
@mogausephewu5772
Please guys lets comeback home mother land and fix this once beautiful inspiring country ,because corruption and dirty politicians are ruining everything
@catymarvelous1226
@@mogausephewu5772 I have so much faith in my fellow South Africans! And this last year has proven me right. I know the headlines of all the corruption are depressing , and of course true. But I just don't care anymore. I'm way more interested in how many communities are taking control of their own destinies and having great success. You know what they say, "The revolution will not be televised". And there is a quiet revolution, although I prefer to call it evolution, of people taking matters into their own hands, helping each other, protecting their communities together. I can't help feeling this is the beginning of something wonderful.
@driftke70
Livin in Australia JC is the only true taste of Africa I can get and cannot put into words how it makes me feel and how appreciative I am of him and his music. I struggle to imagine life without it.
@traceywright9484
You helped us dance through those terrible memories... We love you. Thank you. God says welcome home my faithful servant. With you I am well pleased...Peace to your family...