By The One Who Sings
Lyrics and translation
WAWUNDITHEMBISILE - You Promised Me
2: WAWUNDITHEMBISILE
Weh Mariah
Khawundive
Xa ndikhala
Undinike ithemba ndingenalo
Ndinqwenela ukudibana
Emhlabeni
Z’undikhumbule xa ndiphambi kwakho
Enyameni
Undisule ngezandla ezingcwele
Iinyembezi zam
Undisekelele
Ubuso bakho undibonise
Njengoko wawundithembisile
Wawundithembisile
Xa ndicinga ngobomi bam
Ngemihlola
Ndilusana olubomvu
Ndisakhula
Wawuphina weh Mariah
ndiyintlekisa?
Ndiphakathi kwamadabi emimoya?
Ndibomvu ligazi elingcwele
Intliziyo yam ilihlwili
Ubuso bakho buguqukile
Nangona wawundithembisile
Wawundithembisile
Wawuvale amehlo
Bexovula umzimba wam
Wawuvale iindlebe
kude kuwe izikhalo zam
Khawuvule umlomo
Thethelel’ umphefumlo
Wam
Umphefumlo wam
Weh Mariah…
Khawundive
Xa ndikhala
Undinike ithemba ndingenalo
Ndinqwenela ukudibana
Ezulwini
Z’undikhumbule xa ndiphambi kwakho
Ngaloo mini
Wawundithembisile English Translation from the Xhosa language
Wawundithembisile = You Promised Me
Dear Maria...
Please hear me when I cry?
Give me hope where I have none
I wish to meet you
On the earth
Remember me when Im stood before you
In the flesh
Wash off with your holy hands
My tears ... and bless me
Show me your face
Just as you promised me you would
You promised me
When I think back
To terrible truths unfolding in my life and me:
A growing baby child ...
I wonder:
Where were you Maria
When I was a laughing stock?
Swaying in the midst of the blowing winds?
Red with holy blood
My heart a bloody mess
Your face turned away
Even though you promised me...
You promised me.
You closed your eyes
As they kneaded my body with their blows
You closed your ears:
Far from you my cries
Please open your mouth
Speak for my spirit
My spirit
Dear Maria
Please hear me when I cry
Give me hope where I have none
I wish to Meet you in Heaven
Please remember me when I’m stood before you
On that day.
by The One Who Sings
copyright Zolani Mahola 2021