[Intro] [soft child humming in the background] Hmm-mmm Hmm-mmm Bayede Bayede Hmm-mmm
[Verse 1] Mama say “Phakam’ amehlo Ubon’ uthuli” Dust on the frame Old black-and-white Gogo smile Hidden in the corner of the light Baba say “Lapho uhamba Awuhambi wedwa” I feel footsteps Walking just behind my shadow
[Chorus] Bayede makhosi (heyi) Bayede bo (oh-oh) Ngiyanibona emaphusheni Nibambe isandla sami Bayede makhosi (bayede) Bayede bo You’re the drum inside my heartbeat You’re the names I never know
[Verse 2] Girl voice: Ngithwele igama likamkhulu Like a blanket Over both my shaking shoulders Boy voice: Ngipheka umkhumbulo ekhishini Steam rising Calling you a little closer Together: Sithi “vukani Hlalani nathi” As we laugh On a plastic chair outside Your stories in our skin Your rivers in our eyes
[Chorus] Bayede makhosi (heyi) Bayede bo (oh yeah) Ngiyanibona emaphusheni Nibambe isandla sami Bayede makhosi (bayede) Bayede bo You’re the drum inside my heartbeat You’re the names I never know
[Bridge] [percussion drops Pads swell Child humming returns] Child voice (soft): Ngibabiz’ igama Wozani la kimi Background: Siyababiza Siyababiza Male & female: When I’m lost in the dark of my mind You arrive in a wave of quiet light Every breath is a prayer you designed Every step is an old road revived
[Chorus] Bayede makhosi (heyi) Bayede bo (oh-oh, bayede) Ngiyanibona emaphusheni Nibambe isandla sami Bayede makhosi (bayede) Bayede bo You’re the drum inside my heartbeat You’re the names I never know
Deep, hypnotic amapiano groove with log drum swells and warm sub, airy pads and delicate piano stabs. Male and female vocals trade intimate call-and-response in Zulu and English, with a soft children’s choir humming lightly in the background. Slow-burn build: sparse first verse, then percussion layers blossom in the chorus. Second pass of the hook adds bright synth chords and stacked harmonies. Child vocal sits distant and reverbed, like a sweet echo from the past., female vocals, vocal, deep