Sizwa ukukhala emzini wendoda
(we hear crying in the home of a man)
Kukhala intombazane
(it is a young girl who is crying)
Ithi, wemama, ngiyesaba ukuya emzini
(she says, mama, I am afraid to go to the house of my husband-to-be)

Bathi ibodwe liyashisa
(they say his family is very difficult)
Wenhliziyo zami sezimbili
(my heart is divided into two,)
Enye ithi angihambe, enye ithi angibuye le khaya
(one heart says I should go, the other heart says I should
Stay here at home and not get married)

Chorus
Thula mntanami nawe uyazi
(be quiet, my child, you always knew the truth)
Thula mntanami isoka lizokuthatha
(be quiet, my child, a young man will be coming to take
You away and marry you)
Thula mntanami nawe uyazi
(be quiet, my child, you always knew)
Thula mntanami, uzohamba le khaya
(be quite, my child, for you will have to leave your family

And your home, and join your husband's family)
Isoka lizokuthatha
(because a young man will take you away)
Lizokuthatha isoka
(he will take you, this young man)
Sizwa ukukhala emzini wendoda
(we hear crying in the home of a man)

Kukhala intombazane
(it is a young girl who is crying)
Ithi, uma ngikhumbula ukukhula kwami
(she says, when I remember the good times I had growing up)
Phakhathi kwalomuzi kababa
(in the house of my father)
Ngiyesaba, ngiyesaba ukushiya ekhaya
(I become afraid, I become afraid of leaving home)
zinhliziyo zami sezimbili
(my heart is split in two, I am so uncertain)

Chorus