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 the village
They taught me to forget my past
And live the future in their image

They said
I 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
I should learn to speak a little bit of English
Maybe practice birth control
Keep away from controversial politics
So to save my third world soul

You should 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
Wo, ilanga lobunzima nalo liyashona
Mus' ukukhala
Mntanami
Wo, ilanga lobunzima nalo liyashona
Ukuthini asazi

Bits of songs and broken drums
Are all he could recall
But the future calls his name out loud
Echoed on the violence of the guns

I can speak a little bit of English
I am a seed, I have survived
I am the fire that has ingulfed him
I am the world child

I can speak a little bit of English
I am a seed, I have survived
I am the fire that has ingulfed him
I am the world child

I can speak a little bit of English
I am a seed, I have survived
I am the fire that has ingulfed him
I am the world child

I can speak a little bit of English
I am a seed, I have survived
I am the fire that has ingulfed him