This is the saga of Wolraad Woltemade and his grey stallion called Vonk
Long ago not recognised for their supreme sacrifice
And buried with no glory or no pomp

Wolraad Woltemade was just a humble farmer at the Cape in 1773
There was the fort, the castle and the port of the Dutch East India Company

Five of their fleet anchored out in Table Bay
'Twas folly for they had been forewarned
To rather refuge 'round in the bay of Simonstown
For June brings the start of winter storms

Captain Barend Lameran on board with nigh 200 men
Heard the wind as it began to roar
The storm came up and snapped many an anchor rope
Steered his ship De Jonge Thomas to the shore

Wolraad Woltemade had a valiant stallion charger, his name was Vonk
Big and strong and grey
Heard a ship's distress cannon roar so he galloped to the shore
Down to the beach at Table Bay

Saw the good ship De Jonge Thomas
On a reef break up in two, rode that valiant steed into each icy wave
Seven times to the wreck with two men each time and back
And all of fourteen crewmen he did save

The eighth time six men hung upon the horse
And one pulled down upon the bridle rein
The exhausted horse went down
And with him all men drowned and that valiant steed was never seen again

Wolraad Woltemade for his valour and his ardour
Won't be forgotten for many a century
And medals for valour are named Woltemade
And highest awards for bravery

To lay down your life for a friend they say
Is the biggest sacrifice one can bestow
But Woraad Woltemade laid down his life
For fourteen men he didn't even know

So we will remember the first day of June at Table bay in 1773
When the white horses play, we will look for one of grey
And Wolraad as we look out to sea

That was the saga of Wolraad Woltemade and his grey stallion called Vonk
Long ago not recognised for their supreme sacrifice
And buried with no glory or no pomp

They were buried with no glory or no pomp