Deliwe
Juluka Lyrics

Deliwe can you see the clouds rolling in
Do you see the approaching stormclouds?

The wind in the north has changed and it blows your way
The wind has shifted, blowing the storm towards you.

Whatever will you do when the rain starts to fall
What will you do when the rain begins to pour?

Will you join the swallows and fly away
Will you escape the storm by flying away like the swallows?

To the citadels of Europe across the sea
Will you travel to Europe to find safety from the storm?

Deliwe would you go away without me?
If you leave, will you take me with you?

Deliwe would you love me, would you leave me?
If you love me, will you still leave me to face the storm alone?

Would you leave this land that's green where your home straddles the earth
Will you abandon your homeland, with its vibrant flora and fauna?

Leave the winds and the blessing of the bushland?
Will you leave behind the natural beauty and blessings of the African bushland?

You are a child of Africa, you are a wilderness
You are a part of Africa and its wild, untamed nature.

You are a jungle juniper, you are a flame lily
You are like the jungle juniper and flame lily, unique and beautiful.

And as you walk in a foreign land, the songs of a road gang ring
As you travel in a foreign land, you hear the music of a road gang.

Oh how they sing
Their singing is beautiful and moving.

And that melody will haunt your days like falling autumn leaves Zulu chorus
The melody of the road gang's song will linger in your mind and heart, like the melancholy of autumn leaves.

The bees are buzzing in your honey mouth
You are sweet like honey and bees are attracted to you.

And I have drawn the water from your well
I have taken water from the well on your property.

The deep rushing down while the night birds call
The water from the well flows deeply, and the night birds sing.

And the waters wash me on the inside
The water from the well cleanses me physically and spiritually.

Wisps of the willow fall from your hair
Thin strands of willow are falling from your hair.

Dreams and leaves of sorrow bequeath to you
Sorrowful dreams and leaves have been passed down to you.

By the deeds of your fathers hidden from your view
The actions of your ancestors, unknown to you, have influenced your life.

But in the north the thunderclouds would judge you
The stormclouds in the north would test your strength and character.

But you will always be a child of Africa, always wilderness
No matter where you go or what you do, you will always be a part of Africa and its untamed nature.

And the sorrow that stirs your heart inside is the dust of the regiments
The pain you feel is like the dust stirred up by soldiers marching in a regiment.

But one day the skies will clear and eagles fly above those you left behind
One day, the storm will pass and those you left behind will thrive like eagles flying high.

Oh Deliwe won't you stay a while with me
Please don't leave me alone in the storm.

Oh bless this water bless this land, give us food to eat
Please bless us with water, land, and food.

Let our herds span the hills, let them graze in peace
May our livestock roam freely and in peace.

If soldiers march across our fields, give them eyes to see
If soldiers enter our territory, may they see the beauty of our land and people.

The children singing in the sand, songs in the north wind
May our children be happy and carefree, singing songs in the wind.

And we will praise your name
We will give thanks for your blessings.

And one day the skies will clear and eagles fly above those you left behind
The storm will pass, and those who were left behind will soar like eagles.

Oh Deliwe won't you stay a while with me repeat Zulu chorus
Please don't leave me alone.

Oh bless this water, bless this land, etc.
May our land and water be blessed.