Orphans of the Empire - Johnny Clegg & Savuka

Orphans of the Empire Lyrics

In ships, they came from Europe, across the salt sea
Come for the build and raise a colony
And in the jungle, green, their citadels did gleam
In tribute and homage to the old country
And soon their children grew and promised to be true
Orphans of an empire, their destinyHold me close, Africa, fill my soul, Africa
Let me grow old, Africa, let me in
Fill my soul, Africa, dont let me go, Africa
Let me grow old, Africa, and remember meImperial gentleman, he built mighty walls
And in the jungle afternoon, he plays polo when hes bored
He sips a gin and tonic and tells you confidentially
He wishes he understood the [Unverified]
But the shadows, they are lengthening and the sun, it must set
Bewildered and confused, he scurries home to his bedHold me close, Africa, fill my soul, Africa
Let me grow old, Africa, let me in
Fill my soul, Africa, dont let me go, Africa
Let me grow old, Africa, and remember meHe cannot understand the soldiers, all at hand
For with guns you cannot fight a foe that dwells within

But the battle had begun and a soldier hes become
Who can sing his litany?
It's a beggarmans prayer or a string on the wind
Will that be all that lingers on the memory?And who will remember that African December?
When he knelt before the colors and swore to do or die?
And he kissed his frightened lover, beneath the glowing embers
Of that dark, strange heaven, that ancient sky
Now he's gone to dust, just like all good soldiers must
But the mournful mutter of the battlefield still lingers in the airSo 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 and some Germany
Soon you will return to that dream across the sea
'Cause here is no more honey left for teaHold me close, Africa, fill my soul, Africa
Let me grow old, Africa, let me in
Fill my soul, Africa, dont let me go, Africa
Let me grow old, Africa, and remember me
Songwriters
Johnny CleggPublished by
MOKIMA MUSIC