Heita Friday

(snap, snap) Heita Friday... (sharp)
Heita... (heita)

Heita, Tshepo from the garage, oil on his hands
Heita, Zodwa from the till, numbers and plans
Heita, Bra Joe, the foreman, clipboard in his coat
Heita, Sbu the driver, music in the boat
Whistle blows at four, the gate comes open wide
Four hundred overalls flood the outside
Pockets full of paper, earned and not a gift
Nobody walks slowly, everybody starts to drift
Overall zips come down, takkies come out
Bra Joe even smiles, and that is not in doubt
Ngiyabona, ngiyabona, wonke umuntu uyahleka
Taxi fare is counted, the change goes in the sock
The sun is on the rooftops, the whole street wants to rock

Eish, the week was long, ke nako
Eish, the pay is in, ke nako

Heita Friday (sharp sharp!)
Heita Friday (sharp sharp!)
Heita, wena Friday (yebo)
Heita Friday (sharp sharp!)

Sharp, ntwana, sharp (heita!)
Sharp, sisi, sharp (heita!)
Sharp, sharp, sharp-sharp (yebo)

Heita? (Heita!) cousin in the queue
Heita, Sis' Thandi, scrubs and shoes in her hand, too
Heita, spaza uncle, gimme bread and airtime
Heita, little brother, it's your birthday, it's your time
Taxi guy is shouting for Soweto, Soweto, go
Every window open, speakers going slow
Mshana's cap still has the tag on the brim
He won't take it off till the weekend goes dim
Aunty at the braai stand, turning chicken feet
Heita, sisi, give me ten, I'll pay you in the heat
Breadwinner, heita, you carried us all week
Now the speaker says the words you were too tired to speak
Heita, heita, mfowethu, see you at the corner

Eish, the week was long, ke nako
Eish, the pay is in, ke nako

Heita Friday (sharp sharp!)
Heita Friday (sharp sharp!)
Heita, wena Friday (yebo)
Heita Friday (sharp sharp!)

Sharp, ntwana, sharp (heita!)
Sharp, sisi, sharp (heita!)
Sharp, sharp, sharp-sharp (yebo)

(horns punch, whistle answers, log drum walks)

Tshepo! (heita!)
Zodwa! (heita!)
Sbu! (heita!)
Thandi! (heita!)
Bra Joe! (heita!)
Wonke umuntu! (heita!)

Heita, Mama, who stayed home and put her feet up
Tea in the good cup, nobody to call
The house is finally quiet, she has it all
She watches us go by through the curtain lace
The week has left a smile on her face
Heita, Mama, this one is for you

Eish, the week was long, ke nako
Eish, the pay is in, ke nako
Woza, woza, ke nako

Heita Friday (sharp sharp!)
Heita Friday (sharp sharp!)
Heita, wena Friday (yebo)
Heita Friday (sharp sharp!)

Heita Friday... (sharp sharp, sharp sharp)
Heita Friday... (sharp sharp, sharp sharp)
Heita... (sharp)