Song of the Week: Sprokie vir ‘n Stadskind

 Sprokie Vir ‘n Stadskind (Koos du Plessis / Theuns Jordaan)

As die reen van stof en roet verby is
en die rook verdwyn
Sal daar in die sterrelose hemel
‘n neonboog verskyn

En kyk maar goed,
want as jy hom vind
vertel ek vir jou ‘n sprokie, my kind
van ‘n skatkis met ou kettings gebind
aan die neonboog se punt

Volg hom elke nag langs swart riviere
oor kranse van beton
As jy aanhou stap
tien duisend ure
sal jy dalk daar kom

Maar hier moet jy jou nimmer laat bind
want so lei die ou, ou sprokie, my kind
As jy geluk en vrede wil vind
soek die neonboog se punt

Volg hom elke nag langs swart riviere
Kyk nie eenmaal om
Dalk vind jy die land van blou safiere
En dalk ‘n brokkie son

My very loose English translation:

STORY OF A CITY CHILD

When the rain of dust and soot has passed by

And the smog has gone, 

There’ll be in the starless heavens

A rainbow to look upon.

And look so well

‘Cos when you see it,

I’ll tell you a story, my child, a bit

Of a treasure chest shackled with chains so old.

It’s the Rainbow’s Pot of Gold!

Search for it each night along black rivers

Over cliffs of concrete.

If you keep on walking

Ten thousand hours,

Perhaps you’ll get to meet.

But, here, don’t force yourself to bind

Because, my child, it’s this story of old:

If it’s peace and joy you want to find –

Search for the rainbow’s Pot of Gold!

Search for it each night along black rivers

Don’t look back – not one.

Perhaps you’ll find the land of blue saffires

And perhaps a little sun.