Translation of the song lyrics Ndokulandela - Bongeziwe Mabandla

Ndokulandela (original)

Phambi kwabantu bonke, mina ndiyafunga
Uba bom' endibuphila, ndibushiya emva
Lemini isisi’phawulo, iyah ndiyazazisa
Andisenguye mna lo ndandinguye
Ndokulandela, wena
Noma wena uyaphi na
Ndokuhamba nawe
Zonke imini zobomi bam
Ndokulandela, wena
Noma wena uyaphi na
Ndokuhamba nawe
Zonke imini zo bo…
Zobomi bam', zobomi bam'
Zobomi bam', zobomi bam'
Nhliziyo yami yonke
Ndiyibeka phambi kwakho
Andisenawo, wona amandla
Ndincede bawo
Uzundamukele, uyikhombe indlela
Ukuze ndihambe
Ndokulandela, wena
Noma wena uyaphi na
Ndokuhamba nawe
Zonke imini zobomi bam
Ndokulandela, wena
Noma wena uyaphi na
Ndokuhamba nawe
Zonke imini zo bo…
Zobomi bam', zobomi bam'
Zobomi bam', zobomi bam'
Izwe lingangijekela
Bantu bangiflathele
Mna andijiki ndoku…
Ndokulandela
Ndokulandela, wena
Noma wena uyaphi na
Ndokuhamba nawe
Zonke imini zobomi bam
Ndokulandela, wena
Noma wena uyaphi na
Ndokuhamba nawe
Zonke imini zobomi bam
Ndokulandela, wena
Noma wena uyaphi na
Ndokuhamba nawe
Zonke imini zo bo…
Zobomi bam', zobomi bam'
Zobomi bam', zobomi bam'

Ndokulandela (translation)

Before all humankind, I take an oath—
If there is breath left in me, I cast it behind as a cloak of dusk,
This day seals me with its signet—yes, I step forth unveiled,
I am no longer the shadow I once was,
I will follow your path, my brother,
Wherever you wander, the horizon or storms,
I am the footstep beside you,
Through the labyrinth of every living day,
I will follow your path, my brother,
Wherever you wander, the horizon or storms,
I am the footstep beside you,
Through the labyrinth of every living—
Of all my days, of all my days,
Of all my days, of all my days,
My whole heart—a chalice brimming—
I lay, trembling, before your gaze.
I am emptied of every last sinew of strength,
Father, lend me your quiet hand.
You have gathered me in, pointed to the star-road,
So that I too may journey.
I will follow your path, my brother,
Wherever you wander, the horizon or storms,
I am the footstep beside you,
Through the labyrinth of every living day,
I will follow your path, my brother,
Wherever you wander, the horizon or storms,
I am the footstep beside you,
Through the labyrinth of every living—
Of all my days, of all my days,
Of all my days, of all my days,
The world may become a hissing wind at my back,
Men may gild my name with hollow praise,
But I will not turn—no retreat—
I will follow still,
I will follow your path, my brother,
Wherever you wander, the horizon or storms,
I am the footstep beside you,
Through the labyrinth of every living day,
I will follow your path, my brother,
Wherever you wander, the horizon or storms,
I am the footstep beside you,
Through the labyrinth of every living day,
I will follow your path, my brother,
Wherever you wander, the horizon or storms,
I am the footstep beside you,
Through the labyrinth of every living—
Of all my days, of all my days,
Of all my days, of all my days