The Crossing

This is the month, that twenty-five years ago he was put into my arms...and for a short wonderful time I had a son, the most precious gift I ever did receive. In his far too short life, he loved me unconditionally, no matter how different or odd I appeared to others around us. 

Johnny Clegg wrote a song (English and Zulu) when he lost a close friend...which is my birthday gift to my son in this month, and a gift for all those who has suffered the loss of a child...

 

Through all the days that eat away

at every breath that I take

through all the nights I've lain alone

in someone else's dream, awake

all the words in truth we have spoken

that the wind has blown away

it's only you that remains with me

clear as the light of day

O Siyeza, o siyeza , sizofika webaba noma

(we are coming, we are coming, we will arrive soon)

O siyeza, o siyeza, siyagudle lomhlaba

(we are coming, we are coming, we are moving across this earth)

Siyawela lapheshaya lulezontaba ezimnyama

(we are crossing over those dark mountains)

Lapha sobheka phansi konke ukhulupheka

(where we will lay down our troubles)

A punch drunk man in a downtown bar

takes a beating without making a sound

through swollen eyes he sways and smiles

'cause no-one can put him down

inside of him a boy looks up to his father

for a sign or an approving eye

oh, it's funny how those once so close and now gone

can still so affect our lives


Take me now, hold me close

don't let go, I'm coming home