Johnny Clegg - 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 destiny


Hold me close Africa fill my soul Africa
Let me grow old, Africa let me in
Fill my soul Africa don't let me go, Africa
Let me grow old, Africa and remember me

Imperial gentleman, he built mighty walls
And in the jungle atternoon he
Plays polo when he's bored
He sips a gin and tonic
And tells you confidentially
He wishes he understood the indiginies
But the shadows they are lengthening and
The sun it must set
Bewildered and confused he scurries
Home to his bed


He cannot understand the soldiers all at hand
For with guns you cannot fight
A foe that dwells within
But the batlle had begun and
A soldier he's become
Who can sing his litany?
It's a beggarman's 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 air

So 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 tea