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Spoken version
A recorded reading of “Side Of The Sun”. If the player does not load, use the original audio source.
Morning hums on rusted rails; rail-rust lifts like blood and rain. Ngamandla kaMdali, I stand tall, lock my hope, take the call. Taxi doors bloom; neon is done. Raise your hand at the rank— Ngizokhanya, clear the air. We dodge the doubt, read the signs; Woza, friend—don’t run, don’t hide— we walk Mandela Bridge to warmer side. Streetlight ghosts wave soft goodbye; blue climbs up the city sky; our shadows shorten on the taxi roof.
Alternative version
Sidechain sway— Morning hums on rusted rails; birds cut V’s like tiny sails. Ngamandla kaMdali—I stand tall. I lock my hope; I take the call. Taxi doors bloom; neon done. We step into the side of sun. Say the word—I’ll meet you there. Ngizokhanya—clear the air. Name the flame. Keep the same. Diesel tang threads morning air. Taxi horns paint yellow lines. We dodge the doubt; we read the signs. Woza, friend—don’t run, don’t hide. We walk the bridge to warmer side. Streetlight ghosts wave soft goodbye; orange peels, wet tar, daybreak sky. Say the word—I’ll meet you there. Ngizokhanya—clear the air. Name the flame. Keep the same. Say “khanya manje.” — I say “yebo, yebo.” Hold your ground. — We glow, we glow. Name the flame. Keep the same… Glow—don’t fade.
Instructional lyrics
[Intro: airy pads, congas, breathy oohs] Ooh… ah… sidechain sway… [Verse 1: warm Rhodes] Morning hums on rusted rails Birds cut V’s like tiny sails Ngamandla kaMdali, I stand tall I lock my hope, I take the call Taxi doors bloom, neon done We step into the side of sun [Pre: rim ticks, clap stack enters] Say the word, I’ll meet you there Ngizokhanya, clear the air [Chorus: tight two‑liner, duet] Name the flame Keep the same [Post: whistle counter‑hook] Dee‑dee‑dee, name the flame… [Verse 2: rolling keys, bass glide] Taxi horns paint yellow lines We dodge the doubt, we read the signs Woza friend, don’t run, don’t hide We walk the bridge to warmer side Streetlight ghosts wave soft goodbye Blue climbs up the city sky [Pre] Say the word, I’ll meet you there Ngizokhanya, clear the air [Chorus] Name the flame Keep the same [Bridge: drop to pad + vox, amapiano fill] [Call] Say “khanya manje” [Response] I say “yebo, yebo” [Call] Hold your ground [Response] We glow, we glow [Chorus x2: add octave lead, gang BVs] Name the flame Keep the same… [Outro: pads bloom then hush] Glow, don’t fade…
Song info
Spiritual Amapiano + upbeat SA groove (108–112 BPM). Instruments: warm Rhodes/piano ostinato, rolling keys, shaker, clap stack, gumboot stomps, log drum, sub swells, penny whistle colors. Vocals: soulful lead, gang BVs, call-and-response. Languages: English & Zulu. Hooks: short, chantable, rhyme families (-ight/-ame/-ow). Section caps: ≤3 cues per bracket.
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