By Nomathemba Pearl Dzinotyiwei

This song from the Hugh Masekela Tribute Concert keeps ringing in my head. It’s called Koboyi, a song sung to a child in Siswati. There are two versions on Apple Music. The lyrics are not so sweet though.

Koboyi Koboyi (Koboyi is the name of the child)

Ye Koboyi

Koboyi Koboyi

Ye Koboyi

Unyok’ uyephi (where is your mother?)

Ye Koboyi

Uyokujuma (she’s taking the young men by surprise)

Ye Koboyi

Emajarheni

Ye Koboyi

Uta buya nesisu (she’ll come back pregnant)

Ye Koboyi

Atal’umntwana (she’ll give birth to a child)

Ye Koboyi

Ambek’etsheni (and put him on a rock)

Ye Koboyi

Atyiwe timpetfu (and he’ll be eaten by maggots)

Ye Koboyi

Koboyi Koboyi

Ye Koboyi

Koboyi Koboyi

Ye Koboyi

Ngalala Phansi

Ngalala Phansi was originally sung by Miriam Makeba who learnt it from her mother Nomkomandelo Christina Jele, a traditional healer known as isangoma. It tells of a person who is ill but laments that people are rejoicing at her illness. The song is on Miriam Makeba’s album Sangoma.

Hhayi bajabula bonk’uma ngilele phansi Bawo!

Iya ho ho mmm

Hhayi bajabula bonk’uma ngilele phansi Bawo!

Iya ho ho mmm

Ngagula ho ngalala phansi

Ngagula babo ngalala phansi

Ngagula mme ngalala phansi

Ngagula ho ngalala phansi babo