Bits of songs and broken drums

Are all he could recall

So he spoke to me 

In a bastard tongue

Carried on the silence of the guns



"It's been a long long time

since they first came

And marched through our village

They taught us to forget our past

And live the future in their image"



Chorus

They said

'You should learn to speak a little bit of English

Don't be scared of a suit and tie.

Learn to walk in the dreams of the foreigner

-- I am a Third World Child



The Outworld's dreams are the currency

That grip the city streets

I live them out

But I have my own

Hidden somewhere deep inside of me



In between my father's fields 

And the citadels of the rule

Lies a no-man's land which I must cross

To find my stolen jewel.





They said

'You should learn to speak a little bit of English

Maybe practise birth control

Keep away from controversial politics

So to save my third world soul



Chorus

They said

'You should learn to speak a little bit of English

Don't be scared of a suit and tie.

Learn to walk in the dreams of the foreigner

-- I am a Third World Child



Wo! Ilanga lobunzima  

Nalo liyashona

Ukuthini asazi

Mus' ukukhala

Mntanami



(Oh! We don't know when this Sun of Hardship will set.

Don't cry, my child.)

 

Bits of songs and broken drums

Are all he could recall

But the future calls his name

Out loud

Carried on the violence of the guns