Baba Inkòsi Sikelele, Baba Inkòsi Sikelele.*
Carson, a Dhè a tha sa chathair,
Carson an-diugh a rinn Thu ’n latha?
Baba Inkòsi Sikelele, Baba Inkòsi Sikelele.
Mo-nuar gum faca mi a shoillse
Ach a bhith gu bràth san oidhche.
Baba Inkòsi Sikelele, Baba Inkòsi Sikelele.
Och, mo chràdh, mo chràdh ’s mo lèireadh,
An latha thug iad uam mo cheud-ghràdh.
Baba Inkòsi Sikelele, Baba Inkòsi Sikelele.
Do chorp donn an sin na laighe,
Toll air tholl a’ sileadh fala.
Baba Inkòsi Sikelele, Baba Inkòsi Sikelele.
Am fear bòidheach laigh rim thaobh-sa
An sin ’s a mhionach às a’ slaodadh.
Baba Inkòsi Sikelele, Baba Inkòsi Sikelele.
Aichbheil, aichbheil, sgrios is lèireadh
Air an luchd a rinn mo cheusadh.
Baba Inkòsi Sikelele, Baba Inkòsi Sikelele.
Eisd rim ghuidhean, Rìgh nan Dùilean,
Eisd rim athchuinge ’s rim ùrnaigh.
Baba Inkòsi Sikelele, Baba Inkòsi Sikelele.
Tha ’n luchd bàn an-diugh làn aigheir
’S tha mo phàistean-sa gun athair.
Baba Inkòsi Sikelele, Baba Inkòsi Sikelele.
Is tha mo bheatha-sa nis falamh -
Ach ceadaich dhomh, mum fàg mi ’n talamh,
Baba Inkòsi Sikelele, Baba Inkòsi Sikelele.
*Athair, a Thighearna, tèarainn sinn |
Baba Inkòsi Sikelele, Baba Inkòsi Sikelele.*
Why, O God upon the throne,
Why did you make the day today?
Baba Inkòsi Sikelele, Baba Inkòsi Sikelele.
Alas that I ever saw its brightness,
I’d rather it were night forever.
Baba Inkòsi Sikelele, Baba Inkòsi Sikelele.
Oh, my pain, my pain, my torment’s
The day they took my first love from me.
Baba Inkòsi Sikelele, Baba Inkòsi Sikelele.
Your brown body lying before me,
Blood pouring out from wound on wound.
Baba Inkòsi Sikelele, Baba Inkòsi Sikelele.
The handsome man who lay beside me
There with his intestines trailing loose.
Baba Inkòsi Sikelele, Baba Inkòsi Sikelele.
Vengeance, vengeance, grief, destruction
On the people who’ve had me crucified.
Baba Inkòsi Sikelele, Baba Inkòsi Sikelele.
King of the Elements, hear my oaths,
Listen to my petition and my prayer.
Baba Inkòsi Sikelele, Baba Inkòsi Sikelele.
Today the whites are full of gladness
And my children have no father.
Baba Inkòsi Sikelele, Baba Inkòsi Sikelele.
And my life is empty now -
But grant me, while I’m still on earth,
Baba Inkòsi Sikelele, Baba Inkòsi Sikelele.
*Father, O Lord, save us |
