The voice that took you to echelons
Of African affairs spoke in English
The voice that took you to summits
Of Tanzanian affairs used Swahili
Today you rest near Ndanda hills
Your voice is mute, listen William.
Perhaps the path is ready ahead
For you now bear along it…..
Perhaps it is the shadow ahead
That like the sun you follow it!
When the birds here and bards
Sit still and listen to silence….
The sun will shed blue tears
And in the skies echoes arise
Now to speak to us as you did
Mkapa the skywalker, you are:
He who walks where suns set
Touching hearts with words…..
Risala ya Rambi Rambi yake Mzee Mkapa
Iendapo mwanga, basi hapo giza hukaa
Panapo matanga, kote chozi hutapakaa
Imepulizwa mbiu, ya mgambo wa anga
Naona mie kiu, ya Mkapa leo tunaganga
Kaamka jabali, bondeni kwa waMakonde
Mtwara mbali, walia wapiga nyoyo konde
Likatamba mbali, kisomi, kisiasa, kidiplomasia
Likamwaga asali, ya hekima, kheri kama masia
Ikaja tetemeko, kifo mbona hauna huruma?
Kanda msisimko, walia wote hadi Wasukuma
Leo nalilia wino, ya alotuachwa mwanga wetu
Nasaga mie jino, naam Mkapa katoeka kati yetu
Njiwa pepeperuka, kwenye mawimbi ya Afrika
Zifikishe Tanganyika, rambi rambi za East Africa!
