Down the brown Liemba,
The home of fierce Mamba [crocodiles],
We are gliding.
With sudden stroke and song
The boat is sent along,
Swiftly gliding.
We fear no fierce mamba
In the deep Liemba
While we are gliding;
Nor bush nor thickest brake,
Nor foe that would us take--
Swiftly gliding.
The fifth, seventh, and eighth verses are descriptive of the scenery on
the Liemba:--
By waving fields of grain.
With song and loud refrain,
We are gliding;
While women hoe the corn
Till eve from dewy morn--
Swiftly gliding.
Lo! Isle of Ihata,
Blest Isle of Liemba,
By which we are gliding.
The isle was long ago
Blest by great Moshono--
Softly gliding.
Near that tree on yon plain
Died Moshono in pain--
We are gliding--
Burnt by dread Warungu,
Who fear no Malungu--
Softly gliding.