“Mourn, O tribe of the Langeni, because the Mother of the Heavens is no more.
“Mourn, children of Makedama, because the Spirit of Fruitfulness is no more.
“Mourn, O ye people, because the Lion of the Zulu is left so desolate.
“Let your tears fall as the rain falls, let your cries be as the cries of women who bring forth.
“For sorrow is fallen like the rain, the world has conceived and brought forth death.
“Great darkness is upon us, darkness and the shadow of death.
“The Lion of the Zulu wanders and wanders in desolation, because the Mother of the Heavens is no more.
“Who shall bring him comfort? There is comfort in the crying of his children.
“Mourn, people of the Langeni; let the voice of your mourning beat against the skies and rend them.
“Ou-ai! Ou-ai! Ou-ai!”