Orphans Of The Empire Lyrics - Johnny Clegg & Savuka

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 afternoon, he plays polo when he's 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 bed 

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 

He 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 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 

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