(Mid-tempo rhythmic Zulu pop guitar groove starts)
Yeah, yeah
From the hills of Newcastle to the golden city lights
Just listening to the rhythm of my own heart
Let’s go
Born and bred in Newcastle, the air was sweet and cool
Walking down those dusty paths, heading off to school
Ferrum High was where I learned to hold my head up high
Underneath the open reach of that wide KwaZulu sky
I packed my dreams in a suitcase and I took the road to Jozi
Left the quiet life behind, felt a little bit cozy
Becoming a midwife, bringing new life to the light
Specialist in the wards, working through the deepest night
Oh, I’m building up my story, stone by stone today
From the Midlands to the city, I’ve found my own way
With Nkululeko and Lwandle, my beautiful girls at home
You are the center of my world, wherever I might roam
Yeah, you’re the reason that I’m standing, my heartbeat and my pride
Every step I take is for you, with you right by my side
Then there’s Akani Maring, my quiet steady rock
I keep the feelings hidden, underneath a heavy lock
I never show the depth of it, I keep it all inside
Maybe one day we’ll be a family, with nowhere left to hide
My parents Ephraim Shongwe and Maggie Khumalo too
They taught me how to fight for everything I pursue
Brampie, Mabuyi, Sibusiso, Dudu and Musa
My siblings in the struggle, we were always the choosers
Oh, I’m building up my story, stone by stone today
From the Midlands to the city, I’ve found my own way
With Nkululeko and Lwandle, my beautiful girls at home
You are the center of my world, wherever I might roam
Yeah, you’re the reason that I’m standing, my heartbeat and my pride
Every step I take is for you, with you right by my side
I’m energetic, I’m loving, I’ve got so much love to give
Sometimes the tongue slips up, that’s just the way I live
I talk before I’m thinking, oversharing every line
But my heart is always honest, and the intentions are fine
I fought for every dream, I pushed against the wall
Raised in a tough house, taught to never fear the fall
So here I am in Jozi, turning pages in the sun
Looking at the life I’ve built, the work has just begun
From Ferrum High to labor wards, the journey is my own
With my children and my family, I’m never truly alone
Life is a melody, and I’m singing it loud and clear
Everything I’ve worked for is finally drawing near
Oh, I’m building up my story, stone by stone today
From the Midlands to the city, I’ve found my own way
With Nkululeko and Lwandle, my beautiful girls at home
You are the center of my world, wherever I might roam
Yeah, you’re the reason that I’m standing, my heartbeat and my pride
Every step I take is for you, with you right by my side
Yeah, it’s my story
Newcastle to Joburg, and everywhere between
Sending love to Akani, hope you see what I mean
Keep moving, keep growing
Midwife of my own dreams
Yeah, we rise together
(Fade out with rhythmic Zulu guitar and light percussion)