Old Thekwane Songtext
von John Edmond

The hammerkop he build his nest
It is the biggest it is the best
Branches leaves and grass and twigs
Up in the mighty tree of figs
All he asks is don′t go near
Climb that tree or interfere
If you do the old folks say
There's an awful price to pay
Old Thekwane the hammerkop
Down by the river perched on a rock
Leave him be is his desire
Or you will pay a price in fire
In the village not far away
Life goes on from day to da
Men′-folk hunt the forest deep
Women hoe and sow and reap
Children carry as the play
Wood and water every day
Clalbash on head held high
Bundles of wood from the riverside


The day was hot the day was fine
Children swam forgot the time
Hurried home fast as they could
But they forgot the firewood
Though the night was falling fast
They were sent back to do his task
But then they saw Thekwane's home
So easily they pulled it down
Old Thekwane the hammerkop
Down by the river perched on a rock
Leave him be is his desire
Or you will pay a price in fire
They pulled that nest down to the ground
And into bundles it was bound
They took this wood home bit by bit
And with it village fires were lit
Thekwane followed them that night
Flew into their fire light
From the flames a twig he plucked
Flew to the top of the nearest hut
On the roof he dropped that stick
Soon the flames began to lick
In a blaze the fire went round
Burnt that village to the ground
The people cried into the night
What the old folks said was right
Leave the hammerkop alone
Or fire will destroy your home
Old Thekwane the hammerkop
Down by the river perched on a rock
Leave him be is his desire
Or you will pay a price in fire