Key:

• Zulu chorus
• Translation of chorus

Ibambeni njalo bakithi     [Hold on tight, my people]
Ninga dinwa                [Don't get weary]
Ninga phelelwa nga mandla  [Don't lose your strength]

Siya ba bona               [We can see]
Bebe fun' ukusi qeda       [They wanted to hold us back]

One by one
Ngeke ba lunge             [They will not succeed]
One by one
Sizo nqoba                 [We will win]
One by one
Ngeke ba lunge             [They will not succeed]
One by one

Ibambeni njalo bakithi     [Hold on tight, my people]
Ninga dinwa                [Don't get weary]
Ninga phelelwa nga mandla  [Don't lose your strength]

Siya ba bona               [We can see]
Babe fun' ukusi qeda       [They wanted to hold us back]

One by one
Ngeke ba lunge             [They will not succeed]
One by one
Sizo nqoba                 [We will win]
(Repeat)

Ngoba thina                [Because]
Siya zazi                  [We know who we are]
(Repeat)

Ibala lami                 [The color of my skin]
Elimnyama                  [That is dark]
Ndiya zidla                [I'm proud]
Ngalo                      [Of it]
Ibala lami                 [The color of my skin]
Elimnyama                  [That is dark]
Ndiza kufa                 [I will die]
Nalo                       [With it]
(Repeat to fade)