We have to cross the river - Zamenga Batukezanga

We lead a hard life
For a grain of salt
     We have to cross the river
To clothe ourselves in a pair of boxers
     We have to cross the river
For an aspirin tablet
     We have to cross the river
For a box of matches
     We have to cross the river
To learn to read and write
     We have to cross the river
To sell a tomato
     We have to cross the river
For a job as a domestic worker
     We have to cross the river
Our villages are disappearing.

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Zamenga Batukezanga (1933–2000) Democratic Republic of the Congo
Translated by Bruce Levitan
Source:  Psaumes sur le Fleuve Zaire, Zamenga Batukezanga, ZABAT, 1985