Nelson Mandela Foundation

Good leaders will come and go
Liberation can be eternal
In my lifetime I have prepared a peaceful nation
I have prepared my departure too
Should you fail to prepare, prepare to fail
Do not stand in front of my grave and weep

I am the diamond glints on snow
I am the sunlight on the ripened grain
Forget the mistakes of the past
Give every living creature you meet a smile
And do not stand in front of my grave and cry

I am the soft star that shines at night
I am a servant to my nation
It gives me strength to have someone to fight for
Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another

Uhambhile umadibomde, ude wakufumana ukuphumla
Ulichuumisile ilizwe, mbhimbho zone zahlabathi
Inkhoheli, abadala, abamazwe, umlisela nomthinjana
Sizuze lukhulu ngemfundiso zakho
Uqhatso ulufezile dalibhunga

I lay the way forward here in your hands
You are now racing with destiny, to better the next generation
You have a responsibility, let it show, make it count
My heart’s never been more at ease; I will never stop loving you
Do not stand in front of my grave and weep

I am a thousand winds that blow
I am what I am because I believed
Never throw your hands up in despair
Do not be afraid, the way has already been paved