The children got a letter from the master
It said, no more Xhosa, Sotho, no more Zulu
Refusing to comply they sent an answer
That's when the policemen came to the rescue

Children were dying, bullets flying
The mothers screaming and crying
The fathers were working in the cities
The evening news brought out all the publicity

Just a little atrocity, deep in the city
Soweto blues, soweto blues
Soweto blues, soweto blues

Benikuphi ma madoda
(Where were the men?)
Abantwana beshaywa
(When the children were throwing stones)

Ngezimbokodo mabedubula abantwana
(When the children were being shot)
Benikhupi na
(Where were you?)

There was a full moon on the golden city
Looking at the door was the man without pity
Accusing everyone of conspiracy
Tightening the curfew, charging people with walking

Yes, the border is where he was awaiting
Waiting for the children, frightened and running
A handful got away but all the others
Hurried their chain without any publicity

Just a little atrocity, deep in the city
Soweto blues, soweto blues
Soweto blues, soweto blues

Benikuphi ma madoda
(Where were the men?)
Abantwana beshaywa
(When the children were throwing stones)

Ngezimbokodo mabedubula abantwana
(When the children were being shot)
Benikhupi na
(Where were you?)

Soweto blues, soweto blues
Soweto blues, abu yethu a mama
Soweto blues, they are killing all the children
Soweto blues, without any publicity

Soweto blues, oh, they are finishing the nation
Soweto blues, while calling it black on black
Soweto blues but everybody knows they are behind it
Soweto blues, without any publicity

Soweto blues, they are finishing the nation
Soweto blues, god, somebody, help
Soweto blues
(Abu yethu a mama)
Soweto blues