Nooientjie van die Ou Transvaal
Lyrics and music by Taffy Kilkillus, performed by Jim Reeves
Few fans of
Jim Reeves realise that Jim was absolutely huge in
apartheid South Africa in the 1950s and 1960s. Such was Jim's fame that he recorded some songs in the white ruler's native
Afrikaans language.
It's an interesting study in karma that Jim acquired his pilot's license in South Africa, and eventually met his early demise in a light aircraft crash, outside of Nashville. There is, however, no direct evidence that Jim was an overt supporter of the apartheid system of racial segregation.
This song is an example of the dozen or so songs recorded for the South African market.
Nooientjie van die Ou Transvaal
(Sweetheart from the Old Transvaal)
Lyric and music by Taffy Kikillus
As die awendskadus daal
When the evening shadows fall
kom ek jou weer eendag haal
come I you again one day fetch
jy's my nooientjie van die Ou Transvaal
you're my sweetheart from the Old Transvaal
Ons sal wandel na die vlei
We will walk to the moor
onder sterreprag so vry
under star-beauty so free
in ons hart sal ons liefde bly
in our heart will our love remain
Deur die jare
Through the years
deur gevare
through the dangers
sal jy jonk bly en kosbaar vir my
will you youthful remain and precious for me
Deur die jare
Through the years
deur gevare
through the dangers
sal 'n glimlag my na jou toe lei
will a smile me to you lead
Deur die jare
Through the years
deur gevare
through the dangers
sal 'n glimlag my na jou toe lei
will a smile me to you lead