In a land and a time not forgotten
Came a war against oppressive ideals
And the enemy plagued their very own people
That toiled and worked in the fields

In their droves they came to rape and to maim
And to hide from the soldiers of the state
So there had to be a certain strategy
To keep the poor people safe

Outnumbered who would go face a ruthless foe
To protect unarmed folk, to keep them free
Like when the Lord asked Isaiah for a messenger
A voice then said "I will go, send me"

Tesu tose varume
Taka edza kubudi rira
Siyasina madoda
Siyazama ukwehlula

Men we are all, trying to reach our goal
Doing a war dance on the way
Always trying to defeat the enemy
We wear the red headband and the red beret

No matter the color, creed or gender
To serve was their only desire
On foot or on a pony and often alone
They would come under enemy fire

They were counsellors, doctors
Advisors and teachers
Protectors and all said and done
Guardian angels on the shoulders
Very special soldiers
They were all these things rolled into one

Like a lighthouse in the middle of Africa
So far away from the sea
They were lighthouse keepers with a beacon of hope
For a folk that always yearned to be free

Tesu tose varume
Taka edza kubudi rira
Siyasina madoda
Siyazama ukwehlula

Men we are all, trying to reach our goal
Doing a war dance on the way
Always trying to defeat the enemy
We wear the red headband and the red beret

When I scroll down the long roll of honor
Of those fallen and wonder who cares
There are hundreds of names with no title of fame
It simply says - Internal affairs

There's a sad memory of a lonely cemetery
That comes back when the last blows sound
Recalling the day that the chaplin padre
Committed their bodies to the ground

And there among the flowers on their caskets
Were the headdress they wore in their day
The color it was red like the blood that they shed
For that red hat headband and the red beret

There is a red badge of courage
Bold are the letters I.A.
It's the badge that they wore on their bush hats
And the one they wore on the red beret

Tesu tose varume
Taka edza kubudi rira
Siyasina madoda
Siyazama ukwehlula

Men we are all, trying to reach our goal
Doing a war dance on the way
Always trying to defeat the enemy
We wear the red headband and the red beret
The red headband and the red beret
The red headband and the red beret