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This is a not an original poem -
it is a song by the group Juluka. It is about
some brave soldiers and the chorus has a powerful
chant that I always chant in my head when I see
our Chief Lucas running onto the field.
This song evokes the pride of a
regiment of solders (an impi) who defended their
country bravely and won a significant battle (although
they later lost the war).
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Impi
Impi! wo'nans' impi iyeza
Obani bengathinta amabhubesi
All along the river
Chelmsford's army lay asleep
Come to crush the Children of Mageba
Come to exact the Realm's price for peace
And in the morning as they saddled up to ride
Their eyes shone with the fire and the steel
The General told them of the task that lay ahead
To bring the People of the Sky to heel
Impi! wo'nans' impi iyeza
Obani bengathinta amabhubesi
Mud and sweat on polished leather
Warm rain seeping to the bone
They rode through the season's wet weather
Straining for a glimpse of the foe
Hopeless battalion destined to die
Broken by the Benders of Kings
Vainglorious General and Victorian pride
Would cost him and eight hundred men their lives
Impi! wo'nans' impi iyeza
Obani bengathinta amabhubesi
They came to the side of the mountain
Scouts rode out to spy the land
Even as the Realm's soldiers lay resting
Mageba's forces were soon at hand
And by the evening the vultures were wheeling
Above the ruins where the fallen lay
An ancient song as old as the ashes
Echoed as Mageba's warriors marched away
Impi! wo'nans' impi iyeza
Obani bengathinta amabhubesi
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