Johnny Clegg Warsaw 1943 song lyrics

Amambuka, amambuka azothengisa izwe lakithi, izwe lakithi

(The betrayers, the betrayers will sell our land, our land)

He was taken in the night

They came without any warning

No time to hide or fight

They came like bees aswarming

The questions start to fly

Will he break or will he defy?

Can he withstand the worst that is to come?

A child in a man’s clothing resisting the fascist ploy

The underground puts iron in the heart of any boy

Swimming in a sea of pain, he knows this is the end

He hears himself whisper the name of his best friend

I never betrayed you, and I never betrayed the revolution

I just didn’t want to die alone, I needed you to see me home

And if I could save you, and if I could find a solution

I would die a thousand times to get you out of here

Sharing the same cold cell, betrayer and betrayed

An island with two frightened castaways

Not a word is spoken, how can he explain?

Through swollen eyes they watch the dawn’s first rays

It’s all over now

They stand backs to the wall waiting for the fascist’s sword to fall

In the desperation of a young life about to end

He turns before the bullet and forgives a friend

I never betrayed you, and I never betrayed the revolution

I just didn’t want to die alone, I needed you to see me home

And if I could save you, and if I could find a solution

I would die a thousand times to get you out of here