For the Union a jubilant chorus of girls!

Awu, we die for want of a doctor!

How long is it now we've been talking our hearts out,

using reasoned debate to bring down cliffs?

Let the waters of Africa roar!

The nation speaks with the tongue of God.

Let every path sow Union

from here to far-off Tugela.

Prayer Union and Die-As-One!

Why look askance at each other?

You're both like the dews of Hermon

watering Zion's hills.

Prayer Union and Die-As-One!

Why look askance at each other?

You each command a flank in battle,

break rank only when victory's certain.

Mercy!

I'll roar my basic position

like thunder over Umtata.

I'll even take a Khoi to wife,

useless as long-left ruins.

Perhaps your prayers move mountains,

perhaps you're familiar with knowledge

deep as the fathomless sea—

without the Union you're simply nothing!

Union for you's a mighty stem,

roots in the earth, touching the sky;

right from the start, Union's the shield

to ward off the white man's arrows.

Heaven's the Home of Peace, do you hear?

Hayi bo! It stands firm on the rock of Union.

Evil snakes lie in wait at the gates,

but golden-winged angels roar.

Listen, my people, the Almighty's stunned:

power was granted to us,

but our Union is words in the wind:

“Baboons!” whites jeer, though we're not shaggy-haired.

Die-As-One, join the chorus:

fall where your sister falls,

stand proudly with her in your blankets

till the hills of the Orange swivel.

What misfortune's befallen the Union?

We no longer sing its praises:

it's like plains lost in the mist,

though it's clearly there congregations crack.

What misfortune's befallen the Union?

The houses of God stand desolate,

pastors depart, owls hoot from the rafters.

My baboon companion took to its heels.

What has more strength than Union?

Must I continue proclaiming this truth?

If someone rose from the grave to tell you

you might hear, but now you're deaf.