Orphans of the Empire
Savuka Lyrics

In ships they came from Europe, across the salt sea
People arrived in boats from Europe, crossing the harsh saltwater

Come for to build and raise a colony
They came to construct and establish a new settlement

And in the jungle green their citadels did gleam
Their fortresses shone in the lush green jungle

In tribute and homage to the old country
To honor and acknowledge their original homeland

Oh, soon their children grew and promised to be true
Their offspring matured and pledged their loyalty

Orphans of an Empire, their destiny
With their motherland far away, they became the parentless heirs of the Empire

Hold me close, Africa
Embrace me with your beauty, Africa

Fill my soul, Africa
Nurture my spirit with your essence, Africa

Let me grow old, Africa
Allow me to age among your wonders, Africa

Let me in
Accept me into your heart, Africa

Don’t let me go, Africa
Keep me tethered to you, Africa

Remember me
Do not forget me, Africa

Imperial gentleman, he built mighty walls
A man of power constructed strong barriers

And in the jungle afternoon he plays polo when he’s bored
To amuse himself, he engages in sport during the jungle's warmth

He sips a gin and tonic, he tells you confidentially
While drinking a cocktail, he confides in you

He wished he understood the indigenies
He desired comprehension of the natives

But the shadows they are lengthening and the sun it must set
The day is ending and darkness is approaching

Bewildered and confused he scurries home to his bed
Confused and lost, he hurries home to sleep

He cannot understand the soldiers all at hand
He struggles to fathom the troops around him

For with guns you cannot fight a foe that dwells within
When the enemy resides within, guns are futile

But the battle had begun and a soldier he’s become
He had no choice but to fight and was now a warrior

Who can sing his litany?
Who will recite his funeral song?

It's a beggarman’s prayer or a string on the wind
It could be a penniless man's plea or a melody carried by the breeze

Will that be all that lingers in the memory?
Will this be the only memory that endures?

And who will remember that African December?
Who will recall that particular December in Africa?

When he knelt before the colours and swore to do or die
When he pledged his life to the flag and was ready to perish

And he kissed his frightened lover, beneath the glowing embers
He kissed his terrified partner under the red hot cinders

Of a dark, strange heaven, that ancient sky
Of the enigmatic, old sky

Now he's gone to dust, just like old soldiers must
He has perished, as all veterans ultimately do

But the mournful mutter of the battlefield still lingers in the air
Yet the rueful sounds of the warzone persist in the atmosphere

So it's farewell sweet Caroline, farewell Elizabeth
Thus, goodbye to lovely Caroline and Elizabeth

Goodbye gentle ladies of the old order
Adieu to the tender women of the bygone era

And farewell to your islands carved upon this continent
And so long to the territories that were carved on this land

Some England, some France, some Germany
Some are English, some French, some German

Oh, soon you will return to that dream across the sea
Soon, you will go back to the fantasized land overseas

'Cause here there's no more honey left for tea
Because there is no more luxury to relish here

Khumbula, Will you remember me?
Khumbula, will you recall me?

Khumbula, Will you remember me?
Khumbula, will you think of me?

Khumbula, Will you remember me?
Khumbula, will you retain my memory?

Khumbula, Oh, will you remember me?
Khumbula, oh, will you keep me in your thoughts?