Verse 1:
Late lamp on the desk, pages full of tired names
Since mama and baba split, the house learns a new silence
I count the days and stitch the distance with small frames
Ink runs like rain, pen fights for steady promises
Dala dala jolts the street, I count the potholes slow
Lake Malawi at dawn, the sun learns how to glow
Nsima on the plate, little hands at the door
I wash my brothers' shoes, fold mama's chitenje on the floor
Pre-Chorus:
Mind in two places — classroom and that dusty yard
Heart keeps a ledger of the things that cost us hard
I fold this vow into my pocket, close and keep
Step by step, I walk the night so their dreams can sleep
Chorus (hook):
Give my word — Ndikubwera! (call)
Give my word — Ndikubwera! (response)
I'll come back home — Ndikubwera! (call)
I'll come back home — Ndikubwera! (response)
Verse 2:
Late-night lamp, calculator, dreams on a crumpled page
A cousin's laugh on voicemail keeps me steady on the stage
Market radio sells the dawn, drums behind the chai
I fold our small clothes, patch a toy, and learn to try
Brothers' shoes by the door, too small and worn with pride
Who will teach them how to stand when I am far outside?
I keep the receipt for maize, send a little over phone
I count each kwacha like hope — I won't let them be alone
Pre-Chorus:
Teachers say be patient — books are heavy with the climb
But every crowded dala reminded me time won't stop the grind
I trace a single map: school, then build a home
I fold this vow into my pocket — I will not leave you alone
Chorus (hook):
Give my word — Ndikubwera! (call)
Give my word — Ndikubwera! (response)
I'll come back home — Ndikubwera! (call)
I'll come back home — Ndikubwera! (response)
Bridge:
We cross the bridge of tomorrow, planks laid from prayer and sweat
Not a fairy tale — just dawn, a bus fare, and an address
Since mama and baba split, I learned to carry two roles
I sweep the courtyard, mend the shirts, and fold our small goals
One river of decisions, one shore where dreams are met
I keep your names like talismans in the pocket where I'm set
Signature line (vocal refrain):
Eh — Ndikubwera, eh — Ndikubwera (soft, then lift)
Eh — Ndikubwera, eh — Ndikubwera
Final Chorus (variation):
Give my word — Ndikubwera! (call)
Give my word — Ndikubwera! (response)
I'll come back home — Ndikubwera! (call)
I'll come back home — Ndikubwera! (response)
Outro:
Malawi sun on my face, pages folded like a map
Every step a promise, every small chore a clap
I give my word in voice and bone — we rise, we roam, we grow
Crossing that bridge of tomorrow — Ndikubwera, I'm coming home
