There’s a song we all know well. The original is good enough. But when sung by Johnny Cash, the words take on even more power.
“When you’re weary, feeling small,
“When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all…”
His gravelly voice can offer such comfort.
But today I’ve chosen a different song. A South African song, because this is where we are.
This is our place of need.
The song is for my father. My song to him.
I’ll recite the lyrics. But they’re best listened to.
Staan my by, by Radio Kalahari Orkes.
O die winter wind
Wat oor ons wêreld waai
En die donker stêr
Wat in die hemel draai
En’* teken langs die pad
Wat vorentoe bedui
Hier’s die einde van jou drome
Hier kom jy nooit verby
En jy besef terdee
Jou laaste kans verdwyn
Want jou gees is moeg,
En jou liggaam pyn
Dan kom ek vir jou haal
Dan kom ek vir jou sê
My vriend, o my vriend
Ons moet nooit gaan * ê
Tot die bitter end
Tot die son uitbrand
Tot die see opdroog
Anderkant die verste anderkant
Al staan ek alleen
Sal ek nooit gaan * ê
Ek sal steeds hier staan
Vir jou die waarheid sê
Staan my by, my bra, staan my by, my bra
Skouer aan skouer
Sy aan sy
Ek sien, ek sien,
Ek sien die verste anderkant
Hier kom ek vir jou haal
Hier kom ek vir jou sê
Ek sê nee, nee, nee
Ons sal nooit gaan * ê
Staan my by, my bra, staan my by, my bra
Skouer aan skouer
Sy aan sy
Tot die bitter end…
Or, in English, something like this:
“Oh, the winter wind
That blows across our world
And the dark star
Turning in the sky
And a sign on the road
Telling what lies ahead
Here’s the end of your dreams
This, you are not going to pass
And you realise, then
Your last chance is disappearing
Because your spirit is tired
And your body is in pain
Then, I will come to fetch you
Then, I will come to tell you
My friend, my friend
We must never give up
To the bitter end, to the bitter end
’Til the sun burns out
’Til the sea dries up
’Til beyond the furthest other side
Even though I stand alone
I will never back down
I will stand here firm
And tell you the truth
Stand by me, Dad, Stand by me, Dad
Shoulder to shoulder
Side by side
I see, I see
I see the far side
Here, I’ve come to get you
Here, I’ve come to tell you
I say no, no, no
We will never back down
Stand by me, Dad, Stand by me, Dad
Shoulder to shoulder
Side by side
Until the bitter end …
The voices of Ian Roberts and Chris Chameleon say everything I need to say, right now.
Staan my by, Dad.
