Old Thekwane

The hammerkop he build his nest
 It is the biggest it is the best
 Branches leaves and grass and twigs
 Up in the mighty tree of figs
 All he asks is don't go near
 Climb that tree or interfere
 If you do the old folks say
 There's an awful price to pay
 Old Thekwane the hammerkop
 Down by the river perched on a rock
 Leave him be is his desire
 Or you will pay a price in fire
 In the village not far away
 Life goes on from day to da
 Men'-folk hunt the forest deep
 Women hoe and sow and reap
 Children carry as the play
 Wood and water every day
 Clalbash on head held high
 Bundles of wood from the riverside
 The day was hot the day was fine
 Children swam forgot the time
 Hurried home fast as they could
 But they forgot the firewood
 Though the night was falling fast
 They were sent back to do his task
 But then they saw Thekwane's home
 So easily they pulled it down
 Old Thekwane the hammerkop
 Down by the river perched on a rock
 Leave him be is his desire
 Or you will pay a price in fire
 They pulled that nest down to the ground
 And into bundles it was bound
 They took this wood home bit by bit
 And with it village fires were lit
 Thekwane followed them that night
 Flew into their fire light
 From the flames a twig he plucked
 Flew to the top of the nearest hut
 On the roof he dropped that stick
 Soon the flames began to lick
 In a blaze the fire went round
 Burnt that village to the ground
 The people cried into the night
 What the old folks said was right
 Leave the hammerkop alone
 Or fire will destroy your home
 Old Thekwane the hammerkop
 Down by the river perched on a rock
 Leave him be is his desire
 Or you will pay a price in fire