Bulugudu Iyamapalo apa ILOKE I wake up early, same uniform But my payslip cold, it’s already gone Loans and deductions, numbers in red I work every month but I’m deep in debt Ndefwaya umutende Nombafye indalama shabene Salary yama negatives, nshishibe necho mbombela Ndi muntu uubomba, lelo nshakwata umutende I look in the mirror, I don’t recognize myself A working man living a borrowed life Ndefwaya ukutalalika umutima, namafunde yamano Nombafye ndi slave ku ndalama shonse

 I work but I’m chained, I’m tired inside Ndelwisha umweyo, nshilefwaya ukufwa Thoughts get darker every night Umutima wandi ulelila, ulefwaya uluse Chorus I’m a slave, paid but still in chains Ndi slave ku debt, ku ma loan, ku pain You can dress it nice, call it work Lelo umuntu alilwala ku mutima Art of survival nshaishiba Lelo ubumi bwandi bulefwaya ukukontoloka I’m a slave… slave to debt

 I drink to forget the weight in my head Smoke for a moment of borrowed rest Suicide thoughts knocking on my door But deep inside I still want more Ndelanda neka pakati kabushiku “Bushe amano namaka yandi yalikwi?” Ama Drugs namwene ati yakangafwa Lelo yafushafye ukulubana I stoped going to work, I fear that place I chase piece work just to eat today Mfwile ukuba panchito, lelo ndefyuka nshakwate nshita Nomaba ichindonsa panshi chilensenda umubili

 I’m a slave, working with no reward Ndi slave ku ma promise ayashipwa I work but I look worse than the jobless man Nomba abantu balandafye, tabaishiba I’m a slave, chained by mistakes Ndimusha ku fintu fyakale Slave… slave to debt Verse 3 Landlord knocked, said “Time is done” Nafuma pa ng'anda nshishibe neko ndeya My wife left home with the children Nshele neka, umutima wandi wanaka Ndala nokusunga ing'anda iyishapwa Ndi malonda wa filoto fyandi fyonse People laugh and say “he hates work” Lelo tabaishiba ubulanda bwandi Nalefwaya life yapamulu saana Nshalefwaya no kulolela naibombela I wanted fast life before my time Lelo defwaya amano yakulungamika inshila Pre-Chorus Mistakes made, yes I confess Nshanenuke palifyonse ifi, nshaonaule ubumi Debt is heavy but life is more Ubumi bufwilefye bwashalamo, nangu fingashupa shani Bridge (Reflection / Teaching) You can lose your job, lose your name Lelo ubumi tebwakonaula Drugs won’t heal, alcohol won’t save Ubushiku bulakula kwati tabwakapwe Debt is a lesson, not a grave Amano na patience, efifwile ukutungulula Talk to someone, ask for help Ukuichefya tabafwa Final

 I’m a slave, but I still breathe Ndi slave lelo umutima walishipa I fell down hard, but I’m still alive Ubumi bwandi buchilipo To the world I say: learn from me Namyeba pafyachitike mubumi bwandi Luxury before discipline breaks a man Debt can chain you, if you don’t understand

 I’m not the only one in this pain Bengi balefwaya umutende Work without peace is modern slavery Ubumi bufwile ukulondoloka Slave… but still human Still alive… still learning