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[note: There are related threads about "The lion sleeps tonight" listed under this thread title]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lion sleeps tonight
From: Azizi - PM
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 04:49 PM

I found the reference to "imbube" in the African Stars book that I mentioned earlier. That book mentions that "imubube" is the "first genuine isicathamiya style" and "its pioneer {is} Solomon Linda {page 165).

"Isicathamiya" is an urban music that dates from 1891. The music was performed by & associated with Black African migrant laborers. However, isicathamiya's four part choral songs are very much indebted to Zulu wedding songs and their accompanying choreography. In the United States, Ladysmith Black Mambazo is perhaps the most well known isicathamiya group. The name of that group translates as "The Black axe from Ladysmith".

If you are at all interested in African music, try to find "African Stars". It's a good read!!

Also, for a very good children's CD on African music, I would recommend Ladysmith Black Mambazo's Gift of the Tortoise: A Musical Journey through South Africa.[Music for Little People, ISBN 1-56628-035-4]. "Mbube" is one of the songs included in that CD. Printed lyrics are also included. For all the other tunes, the Zulu words are given followed by their English translations. However, in the case of Mbube, the only Zulu words given are the refrain "Mbube mamayo". This may be because the version we are most familiar with strays so far away from Linda's original words which may not be considered politically correct now what with the lion being killed now thanks to the Lion King play and movie and probably even before. But I would have loved to have read the Zulu translation of even this nicey nice revised version. Oh well.

And just because, I want to say "Right on!" to Richard Wright who posted up thread in 2003. I wish you were still posting here, Richard whoever you are and where ever you may be. We need more "voices" like yours here.