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Scene 15 - Lullaby

from Tin Bucket Drum: the play script

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 April 2018

Neil Coppen
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Summary

There is an extended silence.

Lights up on NANDI, cradling the body of NOMVULA [red cloth] in her arms. She begins singing softly, her voice trembling. Tears overcome her.

*THIS song is an English translation of the original isiZulu.

NANDI: They taught me to never sing these songs.

They made me leave your bedroom in silence each night.

They made us forget our freedom.

But you, you my child

taught us how to fight.

Now I shall sing.

Sing you your first lullaby.

Sing you to sleep.

Sing you goodbye.

Sing now, the rains have come.

Sing for this new morning.

The struggle that you fought.

The struggle that you won.

Sing you your first lullaby.

Sing you to sleep.

Sing you goodbye.

NANDI places her ear to the child's heart. For the final time the PERCUSSIONIST creates the sound of the heart slowing, softening, then stopping.

Lights fade.

Type
Chapter
Information
Tin Bucket Drum , pp. 45
Publisher: Wits University Press
Print publication year: 2016

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