Verse 1 When the sun falls low behind the hills, And the cattle bells grow soft and still, Smoke rises slow from the evening fire, Carrying prayers and old desire. Grandmother speaks in a voice so deep, Of those who wake while the living sleep, She says, “Listen close when the night wind calls, The old ones still walk these dusty walls.” Pre-Chorus In the drumbeat, in the thunder, In the silence far down under, Every footstep on this earth Carries memory, carries birth. Chorus Echoes of the ancestors, calling through the flame, Speaking through the rivers, whispering our name. Bayakhuluma (they are speaking), hear them in the rain, Echoes of the ancestors, we are one again. Bayete, bayete! (hail! honor!) Thuma mina, Nkosi (send me, Lord) Guide my heart, show the way, Keep the old songs here today. Verse 2 Under marula, under stars, We remember who we are. Stories carved in bone and bead, In every song, in every seed. The healer burns the sacred root, The children gather, wide and mute, Ash upon the brow is laid, Honouring those who never fade. Pre-Chorus In the mountains, in the valleys, Through the cities, through the rallies, Old blood flows beneath new skin, What has been still lives within. Chorus Echoes of the ancestors, calling through the flame, Speaking through the rivers, whispering our name. Bayakhuluma, hear them in the rain, Echoes of the ancestors, we are one again. Bridge (call & response folk section) Leader: Who walks with us when we are alone? Choir: Amadlozi! (the ancestors!) Leader: Who guides us safely home? Choir: Badimo! (ancestors/spirits – Sesotho) Leader: Who sings within the trees? Choir: The old ones in the breeze. Leader: Who speaks inside the drum? Choir: The ones from whom we come. Chant Makwerhu, mbilu yanga i twa (my people, my heart feels) Ndi pfa mbilu ya vhakale (I hear the heart of the ancient ones – Tshivenda) Siyahamba nabo (we walk with them) Siyahamba nabo Final Chorus Echoes of the ancestors, fire in the soul, Broken paths made sacred, making spirit whole. From the dust of ages, to children yet unborn, Echoes of the ancestors sing with every dawn. Outro The fire burns low, but never dies, Their wisdom lives beneath our skies. So when the night wind calls your name, Answer softly… We remember. We remain…
