The ritual began long ago
As marital vows set in stone
How it came to be we may never know
Will it reach the end or will it grow
Wasn't a tower
The cause for divide
Was need to speak
In marriage of compromise
Hlonipa is not her name
Hlonipa it's not a game
Hlonipa a tradition of shame
Hlonipa the elderly are to blame
Words sounding his name
Forbidden by rites
Speaking other names
Not if in-laws of the bride
As for males related
It's just the same
She's not allowed
To speak their name
Hlonipa is not her name
Hlonipa it's not a game
Hlonipa a tradition of shame
Hlonipa the elderly are to blame
Words sounding his name
Forbidden by rites
Speaking other names
Not if in-laws of the bride
Wasn't a tower the cause for divide
Was a marriage of compromise
Hlonipa is not her name
Hlonipa it's not a game
Hlonipa a tradition of shame
Hlonipa the elderly are to blame
Hlonipa the elderly are to blame
Words sounding his name
Forbidden by rites
Speaking other names
Not if in-laws of the bride
As for males related
It's just the same
She's not allowed
To speak their name
Words sounding his name
Forbidden by rites
Speaking other names
Not if in-laws of the bride
Wasn't a tower the cause for divide
Was a marriage of compromise
A marriage of compromise