The hamerkop, he builds his nest
It is the biggest, it is the best
Branches, leaves and grass and twigs
Up in the mighty tree of figs

All he asks is don't go near
Climb that tree or interfere
If you do, the old folks say
There's an awful price to pay

Old Thekwane, the hamerkop
Down by the river, perched on a rock
Leave him be is his desire
Or you will pay a price in fire

In the village, not far away
Life goes on from day to day
Men folk hunt the forest deep
Women hoe and sew and reap

Children carry as they play
Wood and water every day
Calabash on heads held high
Bundles of wood from the riverside

The day was hot, the day was fine
Children swam, forgot the time
Hurry home, fast they could
But they forgot the firewood

Though the night was falling fast
They were sent back to do this task
But then they saw Thekwane's home
So easily they pulled it down

Old Thekwane, the hamerkop
Down by the river, perched on a rock
Leave him be is his desire
Or you will pay a price in fire

They pulled that nest down to the ground
Into bundles it was bound
They took this wood home bit by bit
And with it village fires were lit

Thekwane followed them that night
Flew into their fire light
From the flames a twig he plucked
Flew to the top of the nearest hut

On the roof he dropped that stick
Soon the flames began to lick
In a blaze the fire went round
Burnt that village to the ground

The people cried into the night
What the old folks said was right
Leave the hamerkop alone
Or fire will destroy your home

Old Thekwane, the hamerkop
Down by the river, perched on a rock
Leave him be is his desire
Or you will pay a price in fire