Third World Child
Johnny Clegg Savuka Lyrics
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Are all he could recall
So he spoke to me
In a bastard tongue
Carried on the silence of the guns
It's been a long long time
Since they first came
Oh they taught me to forget my past
And live the future in their image
They said
I should learn to speak a little bit of English
Don't be scared of a suit and tie
Learn to walk in the dreams of the foreigner
I am a third world child
The outworld's dreams are the currency
That grip the city streets
Oh I live them out
But I have my own
Hidden somewhere deep inside of me
In between my father's fields
And the citadels of the rule
Lies a no-man's land which I must cross
To find my stolen jewel
They said
I should learn to speak a little bit of English
Don't be scared of a suit and tie
Learn to walk in the dreams of the foreigner
I am a third world child
You should speak a little bit of English
Don't be scared of a suit and tie
Learn to walk in the dreams of the foreigner
I am a third world child
Wo ilanga lobunzima nalo liyashona
Ukuthini asazi
Wo ilanga lobunzima nalo liyashona
Mus' ukukhala mntanami
Wo ilanga lobunzima nalo liyashona
Ukuthini asazi
Bits of songs and broken drums
Are all he could recall
Oh the future calls his name out loud
Echoed on the violence of the guns
I can speak a little bit of English
I am a seed, I have survived
I am the fire that has been molded
I am the world child
I can speak a little bit of English
I am a seed, I have survived
I am the fire that has been molded
The lyrics to Johnny Clegg and Savuka's "Third World Child" explore the conflict between tradition and modernity in the context of the experiences of a person who has been forcibly exposed to the western world. The song describes the displacement of the singer from his traditional home in a village as he is taught to forget his past and adopt the culture of the foreigner in the city. He speaks in a "bastard tongue" and can only remember "bits of songs and broken drums." The song suggests that his memories are fragmented, and he has lost touch with his roots.
As the song progresses, its message becomes clearer, highlighting the singer's attempts to straddle two worlds. He is encouraged to speak English and learn how to wear suits and assimilate into the western world. He is also instructed to "learn to walk in the dreams of the foreigner," implying that he should adopt western ideals and values. The lyrics suggest that although the singer tries to fit in with the city's foreign culture, he still has his own dreams and aspirations. The song implies that the violence and trauma he has faced have not erased his identity and that he is still a "seed," a survivor, and a "Third World Child."
Line by Line Meaning
Bits of songs and broken drums
Memories of music and war-torn surroundings
Are all he could recall
His memories were reduced to these few things
So he spoke to me
He communicated with me
In a bastard tongue
In a non-standard form of language
Carried on the silence of the guns
Passed down in a shroud of conflict and death
It's been a long long time
A significant amount of time has passed
Since they first came
Since outsiders arrived
And marched through the village
And disrupt the peaceful village life
Oh they taught me to forget my past
They urged me to abandon my former life
And live the future in their image
And adapt to their way of life
They said
They advised
I should learn to speak a little bit of English
I should pick up some English
Don't be scared of a suit and tie
Don’t fear formal wear
Learn to walk in the dreams of the foreigner
Embrace the aspirations of those from afar
I am a third world child
I am a person from a developing nation
The outworld's dreams are the currency
The desires of outsiders are treasured
That grip the city streets
They hold sway over urban areas
Oh I live them out
And I engage in them
But I have my own
Yet I have my own hopes and dreams
Hidden somewhere deep inside of me
Nestled deep within me
In between my father's fields
Sandwiched between my farmland
And the citadels of the rule
And the authorities' fortresses
Lies a no-man's land which I must cross
Is a neutral zone I must traverse
To find my stolen jewel
To retrieve what was taken from me
Wo ilanga lobunzima nalo liyashona
Oh the difficult sun is setting
Ukuthini asazi
What is going to happen, we don’t know
Mus' ukukhala mntanami
Don’t cry my child
I am the world child
I belong to the entire planet
Lyrics © RHYTHM SAFARI PTY LTD, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Jonathan Paul Clegg
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@herethereandelsewhere1941
One of the most powerful lyrics I ever heard. Lived in Reunion Island, South Africa for some time in my life...
Can't forget these years. Johnny Clegg was and still is a legend!!! RIP
@eddiegrondin4034
Phi Dep It has been very important in Réunion, to flight against Apartheid, there is a Stadium in Le Port whose Name is Nelson Mandela.
@eddiegrondin4034
I lived in Réunion too
@herethereandelsewhere1941
Oté! Coman il é? :D
@eddiegrondin4034
Phi Dep lé là où même quel côté où sorte?
@herethereandelsewhere1941
J'ai habité au Tampon de 90 à 96!
Pas retourné depuis, mais ça me manque;..
Je vis en Roumanie maintenant!
@esgood2020
They said I should:
‘Learn to speak, a little bit of English.
Don’t be scared of a suit and tie.
Learn to walk, in the dreams of the foreigner.’
I am a third world child.
@ThePeponie
Premier album que je me suis acheté à l'époque en cassette... Merci Mr Clegg reposez en paix
@duducheization
Même chose, Johnny Clegg passait en boucle dans ma famille, c'était en 88, j'avais 6 ans et je me chopais la K7 pour l'écouter. C'est le premier album que j'écoutais de moi-même.
@emilelilli817
1987 exactement.ma mère m avait offert l album