In ships they came from Europe, across the salt sea
Come for to build and raise a colony
And in the jungle green their citadels did gleam
In tribute and homage to the old country
Oh, soon their children grew and promised to be true
Orphans of an Empire, their destiny

Hold me close, Africa
Fill my soul, Africa
Let me grow old, Africa
Let me in
Fill my soul, Africa
Don’t let me go, Africa
Let me grow old, Africa
Remember me

Imperial gentleman, he built mighty walls
And in the jungle atternoon he plays polo when he’s bored
He sips a gin and tonic, he tells you confidentially
He wished he understood the indigenies
But the shadows they are lengthening and the sun it must set
Bewildered and confused he scurries home to his bed

Hold me close, Africa
Fill my soul, Africa
Let me grow old, Africa
Let me in
Fill my soul, Africa
Don’t let me go, Africa
Let me grow old, Africa
Remember me

He cannot understand the soldiers all at hand
For with guns you cannot fight a foe that dwells within
But the batlle had begun and a soldier he’s become
Who can sing his litany?

It's a beggarman’s prayer or a string on the wind
Will that be all that lingers in the memory?

And who will remember that African December?
When he knelt before the colours and swore to do or die
And he kissed his frightened lover, beneath the glowing embers
Of a dark, strange heaven, that ancient sky

Now he's gone to dust, just like old soldiers must
But the mournful mutter of the battlefield still lingers in the air

So it's farewell sweet Caroline, farewell Elizabeth
Goodbye gentle ladies of the old order
And farewell to your islands carved upon this continent
Some England, some France, some Germany

Oh, Soon you will return to that dream across the sea
'Cause here there's no more honey left for tea

(Hold me close, Africa) Fill my soul
(Fill my soul, Africa) Hold me
(Let me grow old, Africa)
Let me in
(Fill my soul, Africa) Fill my soul
(Don’t let me go, Africa) Hold me
(Let me grow old, Africa)
Oh, remember me

(Khumbula) Will you remember me?
(Khumbula) Will you remember me?
(Khumbula) Will you remember me?
(Khumbula) Oh, will you remember me?