Sala Kahle, Mama

Sala kahle, Mama
Ngizobuya

Four a.m. and the rooster's early
Blanket folded on my bag
Mama wrapped the chicken in foil
Padkos for the long road down
Bengicabanga ngizokhala
But she's the one who's holding strong
She says, "Don't look back at the gate, sisi
Or you'll miss the taxi to the town"

Ngiyakuthanda, Mama
I'll call you when I land

Sala kahle, Mama (sala)
Ngizobuya ngoDisemba
Sala kahle, Mama (sala)
Your prayers are in my bag

Wangikhulisa wedwa
Now let me carry you
Sala kahle, Mama

Cape Town office, twelfth-floor window
Sea so wide it looks like sky
First pay slip in a brown envelope
Half goes home, I don't ask why
Every Sunday on the phone
She tells me who was born, who died
She never asks me if I'm lonely
She asks me if I ate tonight

Ngiyakuthanda, Mama
I'll be home before too long

Sala kahle, Mama (sala)
Ngizobuya ngoDisemba
Sala kahle, Mama (sala)
Your prayers are in my bag

Wangikhulisa wedwa
Now let me carry you
Sala kahle, Mama

At the gate she didn't wave
She held her hand up to the sky
"Uhambe kahle, ntombi yami"
And turned before I saw her cry

Sala kahle, Mama (sala)
Ngizobuya ngoDisemba
Sala kahle, Mama (sala)
Your prayers are in my bag

Wangikhulisa wedwa
Now let me carry you
Sala kahle, Mama

Ngizobuya