Of Amai – Holy Ten Lyrics And Translation

This track by Holy Ten struck a chord with me, the story has become familiar for a lot in our generation. Amai means mother in Shona. Reminds me of listening to Tupac’s rap in the 90s Dear Mama.

Written and perfomed by Mukudzei Chitsama Aka Holy Ten for his mother Hendrina who cries on behalf of every mother out there wondering where this generation is really losing it…

Amai Holy Ten – Lyrics And Translation

Yo!
Zvirikundirwadza mhamha
It pains me mum
Zviriku, ndirikuzvitadza mhamha
I am failing this mum
I’m still praying, still believing, ndiri kufaster mhamha
I am still praying, still believing, I am fasting mum
But when I say I gotta change hazvisi kulaster mhamha
But when I say gotta change its not lasting mum
Pandiri kudhakwa ne boys it’s because handisi kubasa
When I get drunk with the boys its because I am not at work
Handisi kudhakwa zve joy
I am not getting drunk for the joy
I could leave it no, handisi kuramba ndine choice
I could leave it no, Im not refusing I got a choice
No, no handisi kuramba ndine choice,
No, no I am not refusing I got a choice,
But now kuchikoro vanodzinga vanhu,
But at school they expel you
Vema drugs take you in vane love
And the druggies take you in they have love
chero musoro vanosimudzana,
they lift you each other up
hapana anombonzi muranda
no-one is called a slave
hapana anomborara anenzara
no-one sleeps hungry
mhamha hapana anombonyimwa sadza
mum no-one is refused sadza
kwedu kune hunger rough
at ours there’s lots of hunger
kwedu zvinofaya wafa
it only works out when you dead
I’m a stranger to myself now
And all the whiskey is a danger my health now
But I think I am hell-bound
Ah mhamha hazvifadze izvi bodo
Ah mum this aint fun no
Ndezvekukanganwa nhamo harinaki iri doro
Its to forget my worries the liquor isn’t nice
Baba took a third wife tatiwandei mupoto
Dad took a third wife there’s more of us to feed
And ku Church they keep saying ngatifambei mushoko
And at church they keep saying lets walk in the word
Ku Church they keep saying that the Lord is alive but are you sure we’ll survive
When I see a piece of bread I am sorta surprised
Zvatajaira hazvijairike
What we are used to is unusual
Got me singing
Mwari babaka itai ndife
Father God let me die

Mhamha the girl child is living under pressure
Mhamha the girl child is living on a stretcher
Mhamha The girl child is living like a slave,
Haana mari
Now the girl child is living on a blesser
Sipping up take another dive like I don’t care
The only thing clear in my life is the broncleer
When I’m off the liquor I can feel it
Raw fear

Zvirikundirwadza mhamha
It pains me mum
Zvemadzinza zvikundirwadza mhamha
The generational curses pain me mum
Mhepo dzeku Zaka dzikundibata mhamha
Ill winds of Zaka got a hold of me mum
I’m still praying handisati ndakufa zvangu mhamha
I’m still praying I am not yet dying mum
Iye mukadza wangu mhamha,
About my wife mum
Achauya zvaanani
She’ll come when its better
Achauya tonosiya pfuma kwaMzarabani
She’ll come and we’ll send the dowry to Mzarabani

When I have my first son I will call him MUKUDZEI
I will name him after me,
I will hold him through the days
I swear I will support in my capacity,
I swear MUKU I will never be your gravity out here
I swear I’ll pick you up and kill the tragedies I swear
I’ll call you king,
You are the majesty out here
Never let them judge you by you money or your flex
Still remind you you’re the reason we are blessed
You are the reason why I am proud to be myself
I woke up feeling proud to be myself

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*The official music video was released on 19 August 2020 and the audio and you can also find Amai the audio lyric video on the 17th of August 2019

Broncleer is a cough syrup containing codeine that is abused for a high.