What an incredible man! What an incredible hero!
And in his honor, I am posting Soweto Blues/South African Freedom Song, sung by Miriam Makeba (another South African freedom fighter) and accompanied by Hugh Masekela.
Lyrics:
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 flying bullets dying
The mothers screaming and crying
The fathers were working in the cities
The evening news brought out all the publicity:chorus: “Just a little atrocity, deep in the city”
Soweto blues
Soweto blues
Soweto blues
Soweto bluesBenikuphi 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 publicitychorus: “Just a little atrocity, deep in the city”
Soweto blues
Soweto blues
Soweto blues
Soweto blueschorus: 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
Politicians Are Poody Heads 
[…] Mourning Nelson Mandela […]
I saw a circle turning, shining in the sun.
The moon had got in front of it, and light and dark were one.
I had not seen it earlier, the time, it had not come,
But now I see that circle, surrounding everyone.
And the beauty of that circle was something to behold,
As if God made a wedding band of newly minted gold.
I saw a diamond gleaming, shining in the sun,
With thirty million faces, a smile on every one.
I hadn’t seen it earlier, for blood had dried on dark,
But now the blood has flaked away, and now I see the spark.
And the beauty of that diamond was something fine and warm,
The colors of the rainbow, together past the storm.
I heard a people singing, shining in the sun,
Thirty million voices that sounded all as one.
I hadn’t heard them earlier, the guns were all too loud,
But now the guns are broken, and everyone is proud.
And the beauty of those people is calling out to me.
Now hear the joy inside them, for all of them are free.
I saw an old man smiling, shining in the sun.
The circle shone above him, the two of them were one.
I hadn’t seen it coming, I wish I had his eyes,
For they can see tomorrow with every new sunrise.
Life to the circle (Life to the circle),
Love to the circle (Love to the circle),
Shine, South Africa, shine.
Life to the circle (Life to the circle),
Love to the circle (Love to the circle),
Shine, South Africa, shine.
And the people say,
Viva! (Viva!)
Viva! (Viva!)
Shine, South Africa, shine.
-Tom Smith, Mand(e)la
Wonderful! Thank you.