Orphans of the Empire
Johnny Clegg and Savuka Lyrics

In ships they came from Europe, across the salt sea
Europeans came sailing to Africa in ships using the sea route.

Come for to build and raise a colony
They came with a plan to build and establish colonies.

And in the jungle green their citadels did gleam
The jungle was cleared, and they built beautiful cities that shone in the sun.

In tribute and homage to the old country
The cities that were built were a symbol of their loyalty to their home country.

Oh, soon their children grew and promised to be true
Their children grew up and pledged allegiance to the empire.

Orphans of an Empire, their destiny
The children of the colonists had no other destiny than to be loyal citizens of the empire.

Hold me close, Africa
The person singing the song expresses their love for Africa and desire to be close to it.

Fill my soul, Africa
The person requesting Africa to fill their soul indicates the great value they find in the land.

Let me grow old, Africa
The person pleads that they would like to live long on this continent which they cherish.

Let me in
The person pleads to be accepted into the continent, to be welcomed and accepted as one of them.

Don’t let me go, Africa
The person is reluctant to leave Africa, to part with it.

Remember me
The person wants to be remembered by Africa, to remain in its memories even after they leave.

Imperial gentleman, he built mighty walls
The colonizers were powerful men who built massive structures and walls to control the land.

And in the jungle afternoon he plays polo when he’s bored
The colonizers engage in leisure activities such as playing polo in the afternoon, a luxury reserved for the wealthy.

He sips a gin and tonic, he tells you confidentially
The colonizer drinks gin and tonic, and in private, he shares his thoughts with his closest confidants.

He wished he understood the indigenies
The colonizer wishes he understood the native people, their culture, and their way of living.

But the shadows they are lengthening and the sun it must set
As it grows dark, the end of colonization is drawing nearer.

Bewildered and confused he scurries home to his bed
The colonizer is confused about his place in Africa and returns home to his bed, uncertain about his future.

He cannot understand the soldiers all at hand
The colonizer is having difficulty comprehending the soldiers and weaponry of the native people.

For with guns you cannot fight a foe that dwells within
Guns are useless against an enemy that is within the land and knows the terrain well.

But the battle had begun and a soldier he’s become
The colonizer has no choice but to become a soldier and fight.

Who can sing his litany?
The soldier sings his prayers, asking for guidance and strength.

It's a beggarman’s prayer or a string on the wind
The soldier's prayers are like a beggar's plea or a string that the wind carries away.

Will that be all that lingers in the memory?
Will the soldier's prayers be the only thing that remains in memory?

And who will remember that African December?
Who will remember that historical moment in December when events took place?

When he knelt before the colours and swore to do or die
The soldier knelt before the flag, swearing to fight to the death.

And he kissed his frightened lover, beneath the glowing embers
The soldier shared a moment of intimacy with his lover when he was frightened as burning embers glowed.

Of a dark, strange heaven, that ancient sky
The sky was dark, and it seems like a strange, ancient environment.

Now he's gone to dust, just like old soldiers must
Like every soldier before him, the soldier has died and turned to dust.

But the mournful mutter of the battlefield still lingers in the air
The sound of the fighting on the battlefield still hangs in the air, adding to the grief.

So it's farewell sweet Caroline, farewell Elizabeth
The song speaks goodbye to those who were part of the empire.

Goodbye gentle ladies of the old order
The song is saying goodbye to the gentle ladies who were part of the old order.

And farewell to your islands carved upon this continent
The song is saying goodbye to the colonies which the empire created in Africa.

Some England, some France, some Germany
Some colonies belonged to England, France, or Germany.

Oh, Soon you will return to that dream across the sea
The nations will go back to their dreamland overseas (Europe), leaving Africa behind.

'Cause here there's no more honey left for tea
Africa is not able to provide material resources like tea anymore.

(Hold me close, Africa) Fill my soul
The person is still expressing love to Africa and asking to fill their soul.

(Fill my soul, Africa) Hold me
The person also needs Africa to hold and embrace them.

(Let me grow old, Africa) Let me in
The person reminds Africa that they want to remain in the land for a long time.

(Don’t let me go, Africa) Fill my soul
The person is pleading with Africa to make their stay comfortable and fulfilling.

(Hold me, Africa) Don’t let me go
The person again pleads not to be sent away from Africa.

(Let me grow old, Africa) Oh, remember me
The person still wants Africa to remember them even after they have left the land.

(Khumbula) Will you remember me?
The person is asking Africa directly if it would remember them.

(Khumbula) Will you remember me?
The person repeats the question, asking it again.

(Khumbula) Will you remember me?
The person repeats the question for the third time, stressing its importance.

(Khumbula) Oh, will you remember me?
The person concludes by asking Africa with a sense of longing if it would remember them.