So she was like, I don’t know man, its like
Sometimes when you catch a flight
You arrive and you’re there physically
But it takes a while for your soul to catch up

1. Too many goodbyes I’ve watched too many planes taking off
Dreading that long distance and thinking of breaking it off
I know they say distance makes the heart grow fonder
When theres no return flight sometimes you tend to wonder
Will we ever be in the same physical space?
Will Skype calls be enough for all the things we gon face
I guess the burden of uncertainty is pretty heavy
Kinda like luggage, you gotta carry it deftly, y’all
Nothing to it, coz movement is life
I had to catch a few flights spreading music through mics
Connect with peeps and have to say “Peace” on the morrow
Just thankful for the happiness we each got to borrow
I caught a sunrise while standing on a roof in Dakar
With new friends the thought of leaving left a bruise in my hear
Exchanged facebook names and promised to add
Hugs and daps that was that then I hopped in the cab
So many monuments were built on the labour of migrants
That’s my consolation while I’m praying for guidance
Coz pane vakati kusina mai hakuendwi
Asi chitsva chiri murutsoka saka gumbo mberi
Final night in Berlin the emotions were strong
Broke down by the time I was closing the last song
It was straight to the airport after the show
Like I hate to say goodbye but damnit I gotta go

Vakamboonana havashayane, Kutamba hakubvaruki (Byebye, Goodbye)

2. I used to feel like a traitor even contemplating leaving
Tired of the same scene wanderlust is what I’m feeling
Yo I can’t explain this longing to see the unknown
It’s been mad long since I had the feeling of home
A rolling stone, grew up living with uncles and aunts
In some spaces only stayed in for a couple of months
Lack of stability doesn’t help a child’s development
Lost mad time searching for acceptance and relevance
Chasing the cool kids taking combis up north
Borrowed clothes couldn’t hide that my accent was off
Didn’t get daps from cats or hugs from chicks
Navigating in that world had me feeling like shit
I let go of chasing belonging in circles like that
Started hanging out with poets coz the cyphers were fat
Now Im thinking of leaving the only scene I really know
And throwing myself into the unknown so I can grow
Im not the hustler type like this place calls you to be
No jobs but plenty graduates with college degrees
They said “look east” so maybe I’ll do exactly that
But ima probably have to face discrimination coz I’m black
Im not used to being different, always try to blend in
Thats why I felt naked when I was walking in Berlin
Reading Baldwin relating coz though times have changed
Time and again felt like I was the stranger on the train
Getting head nods from melanated folk that I met
Like ‘I acknowledge your existence and accord my respect’
And down south ain’t an option coz they are killing us there
Drunk on a concoction of hate, and ignorance and fear
Outside these borders I’m just a foreigner I guess
And sometimes thats a crime with a penalty of death
So the idea of leaving fills me with trepidation
At this point I’m more scared of stagnation
Mos Def time that I did the Travelling Man
This is home, so no doubt I’ma be back when I can
Word to Jimmy hey, maybe I’ll be headed your way
Coz I love Zimbabwe but I’m ready to say

Goodbye goodbye goodbye, oh I’m leaving

3. We connected for a little but the journey is through
So the word I hate to say I gotta say it to you
But at least we synchronised our lives
In a time when our eyes are usually just glued to some device
Goodbyes are temporary, memories are forever
Life is moments, special ones keep people together
So I know that I’ll be safe if you keep me in your heart
As long as life doesn’t break, it if it does. I’ll fall apart
So peace, auf wiedesehen, toonana
Zai Jian, a la prochaine, sizabonana
Thats me signing of this love letter to you
The Soulsteez, stay positive, whatever you do