I asked my soul, what is it that you desire?
Yeah! To float on much waters,
So I went to Victoria’s;
They stretch far like an ocean’s
And their breath is sweet.

Then, I desired to touch the clouds too,
So I tracked up Rwenzori:
The more rugged her terrain is, the more the eye loves it.
The clouds were as a vapour, but the snow I touched
And the earth below was in my eyes as it is in the eagle’s.

Also, I fantasised riding on a noble beast of the wild:
But at the roar of the king of the jungle, I fled for my insignificant life,
Neither could I touch the small-tailed giant of the grasslands
—for his horn was sharp
Nonetheless, my soul left Queen Elizabeth Park lit so brightly.

I love one more thing about my country—
The people of the North:
The rapping of their tongue, their towering slender heights,
Their thick ebony coating and the Odi paste.
Anyway, all corners have their wonders,
Like my West has plenty of milk and very fine women.

But alas! For my country I bemoan.
Her fresh waters and snowy peaks and beautiful beasts and goodly people—
What are they in the face of corruption and injustice and moral depravity?
Won’t thou, oh God, save my country?
I beseech thee by our motto, “for God and my country”,
That, though, may save my country, oh dear God. Amen.