Ha ba tshameka ka diphala tsa bone

folk song / traditional

Info

This song is from the Bahurutse ethnic group in the city of Mmankgodi in the southeastern part of Botswana near South Africa.

Lyrics - Sesotho

(Folk song from Botswana)

1. I: Ha ba tshameka
II: Ka diphala tsa bone
I: Ha ba tshameka
II: Ka diphala tsa bone
Ha ba tshameka, Ha ba tshameka,
Ha ba tshameka ka phala sa bone.

2. I: Ba duduetse
II: Wena mme Mmakgosi
I: Ba duduetse
II: Wena mme Mmakgosi
Ba duduetse, Ba duduetse
Fa ba tshameka ka phala sa bone

3. Repeat verse 2

4. Repeat verse 2

5. I: Kgosi Thobega
II: Ema a bone bana
I: Kgosi Thobega
II: Ema a bone bana
Ema a bone, Ema a bone,
Ema a bone bana ba gago

6. Repeat verse 1

English Translation – When they are playing with their whistles

1. I: When they are playing
II: With their whistles
I: When they are playing
II: With their whistles
When they are playing, When they are playing
When they are playing with their whistles

2. I: Ululate (praise)* them
II: You, mother, Ms. Chief
I: Ululate (praise) them
II: You, mother, Ms. Chief
Ululate (praise) them, Ululate (praise) them,
Ululate (praise) them when they are playing their whistles

3. Repeat verse 2

4. Repeat verse 2

5. I: King Thobega
II: Wait and see the children
I: King Thobega
II: Wait and see the children
Stand up and see, Stand up and see,
Wait and see your children

6. Repeat verse 1

*The yelling sound (in the YouTube recording) is called “ululation,” which is often used as praise. (source)