In a land and a time not forgotten,
Came a war against oppressive ideals.
And the enemy plagued their very own people,
That toiled and worked in the fields.
In their droves they came to rape and to maim,
And to hide from the soldiers of the state.
So there had to be a certain strategy
To keep the poor people safe.
Outnumbered who would go face a ruthless foe,
To protect unarmed folk, to keep them free.
Like when the Lord asked Isaiah for a messenger
A voice then said:" I will go, send me."
Tesu tose varume taka edza kubudi rira.
Seya sina mododa siya zama ukwed hlu la.
Men we are all, trying to reach our goal,
Doing a war dance on the way.
Always trying to defeat the enemy.
We wear the red headband and the red beret.
No matter the color, creed or gender.
To serve was their only desire.
On foot or on a pony and often alone,
They would come under enemy fire
They were counsellors, doctors, advisors and teachers.
Protectors and all said and done.
Guardian angels on the shoulders,
Very special soldiers,
They were all these things rolled into one.
Like a lighthouse in the middle of Africa.
So far away from the sea
They were lighthouse keepers with a beacon of hope
For folk who yearned to be free.
Tesu tose varume taka edza kubudi rira.
Seya sina mododa siya zama ukwed hlu la.
Men we are all, trying to reach our goal
Doing a war dance on the way.
Always trying to defeat the enemy.
We wear the red headband and the red beret.
When I scroll down the long roll of honor
Of those fallen and wonder who cares?
There are hundreds of names with no title of fame
It simply says "Internal affairs"
There's a sad memory of a lonely cemetery.
That comes back with with the last post sound,
Recalling the day that the chaplin padre
Committed their bodies to the ground.
And there among the flowers on their caskets
Were the headdress they woreo n the day.
The color it was red like the blood that they shed
For that red hat headband and the red beret
There is a red badge of courage,
Bold are the letters I.A.
It's the badge that they wore on their bush hats.
And the one they wore on the red beret.
Tesu tose varume taka edza kubudi rira.
Seya sina mododa siya zama ukwed hlu la.
Men we are all, trying to reach our goal
Doing a war dance on the way.
Always trying to defeat the enemy.
We wear the red headband and the red beret.
The red headband and the red beret.
The red headband and the red beret.