Batsumi
Jonas Gwangwa Lyrics
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Batsumi weh
Batsumi weh
Batsumi weh
Batsumi weh
Batsumi ba ba tsomang mo mohlabeng
Le se ke la bolaya bo Matsoale
Le se ke la bolaya bo Matsale
Le se ke la bolaya bo Matsoale
Ba ba sethla ba tshwana le dikgokong
Le se ke la bolaya bo Matsoale
Ba ba sethla ba tshwana le lona
Batsumi weh
Batsumi weh
Batsumi weh
Batsumi weh
Batsumi ba ba tsomang mo mohlabeng
Le se ke la bolaya bo Mats'ale
Batsumi ba ba tsomang mo mohlabeng
Le se ke la bolaya bo Matsoale
Le se ke la bolaya bo Matsoale
Ba ba sethla ba tshwana le dikgokong
Le se ke la bolaya bo Matsoale
Ba ba sethla ba tshwana le lona
Batsumi eeh, ba lefatshe lotlhe
Yo nnana, yo nna
Batsumi eeh, ba lefatshe lotlhe
Yo nnana, yo nna
Batsumi eeh, ba lefatshe lotlhe
Yo nnana, yo nna
Batsumi eeh, ba lefatshe lotlhe
Le se ke la bolaya bo Matsoale (Batsumi we)
Ba ba sethla ba tshwana le dikgokong (Batsumi we)
Le se ke la bolaya bo Matsoale (Batsumi we)
Ba ba sethla ba tshwana le dikgokong (Batsumi we)
Le se ke la bolaya bo Matsoale (Batsumi we)
Ba ba sethla ba tshwana le dikgokong (Batsumi we)
Le se ke la bolaya bo Matsoale
Ba ba sethla ba tshwana le lona
Le se ke la bolaya bo matsoale
Le se ke la bolaya bo ratswale
Le se ke la bolaya bo Malome
Le se ke la bolaya bo rakgadi
Le se ke la bolaya bo koko
Le se ke la bolaya bo rakgolo
Le se ke la bolaya ditsala
Le se ke la bolaya bana
Le se ke la bolaya bana
Le se ke la bolaya ope
Le seke la bolaya ope
Le se ke la bolaya feela
Le se ke le se ke le se ke
Le se ke le se ke le se ke
Le seke la bolaya
Le se ke la bolaya nobody
The song "Batsumi" by Jonas Gwangwa was originally released in 1976, during the height of apartheid in South Africa. The lyrics consist mainly of the repeated phrase "Batsumi weh", which translates to "they tried to burn us, but we didn't die". This is a powerful statement of resilience and resistance against the injustices of apartheid.
The verses of the song describe the struggles faced by black South Africans who are "tsomang mo mohlabeng", or struggling in the mountains. They are being pursued by those who wish to harm them, referred to as "Matsoale". The song also acknowledges the solidarity within the community, as those who are "ba sethla ba tshwana le dikgokong" (similar to each other in their suffering) are sticking together and supporting each other.
Overall, "Batsumi" is a song of hope and defiance, reminding listeners of the strength and perseverance of the oppressed.
Line by Line Meaning
Batsumi weh
Calling out to the people to gather and listen
Batsumi ba ba tsomang mo mohlabeng
Gathering of people who reside in the highlands
Le se ke la bolaya bo Matsoale
Not wanting to harm the people like Matsoale
Ba ba sethla ba tshwana le dikgokong
Those who are insignificant and marginalized
Le se ke la bolaya bo Mats'ale
Not wanting to harm the people like Mats'ale
Batsumi eeh, ba lefatshe lotlhe
Gathering of people from all over the land
Yo nnana, yo nna
Expressing a sense of togetherness and unity
Le se ke la bolaya bo ratswale
Not wanting to harm the poor
Le se ke la bolaya bo Malome
Not wanting to harm the elders
Le se ke la bolaya bo rakgadi
Not wanting to harm the aunts
Le se ke la bolaya bo koko
Not wanting to harm the grandmothers
Le se ke la bolaya bo rakgolo
Not wanting to harm the grandfathers
Le se ke la bolaya ditsala
Not wanting to harm the friends
Le se ke la bolaya bana
Not wanting to harm the children
Le se ke la bolaya ope
Not wanting to harm anyone
Le se ke la bolaya feela
Not wanting to harm anyone
Le se ke le se ke le se ke
Repeating this to emphasize the message of non-violence
Le seke la bolaya
Not wanting to harm anybody
Le se ke la bolaya nobody
Not wanting to harm anyone at all
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jonas Gwangwa
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Samuel
on Morwa
Anyone with a music video of Morwa?
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on Kgomo
RIP u ran your race Ntate Gwangwa