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Lyr Req: Shosholoza (In DT)

16 Jul 01 - 07:54 AM (#507521)
Subject: Shosoloza
From: GUEST,MarcB

I am trying to find the lyrics for a South African folk song called Shosoloza. I believe it is about the trains taking black workers to work. I would like both the S. African lyrics and the English if anyone has them. Thanks much!

MarcB mbridgham@belgard.com

16 Jul 01 - 10:32 AM (#507614)
Subject: LYR ADD: Shololoza
From: Sorcha

Shosholoza
Traditional
This song has been recorded by a variety of artist. From Ladysmith Black Mambazo to PJ Powers and Peter Gabriel. It was even recorded by Helmut Lotti. Each artist recorded their own version so the lyrics might be different but these are the basic lyrics (with the English translation alongside - I can't vouch for the correctness thereof). The word 'Shosholoza' means 'Go forward' or 'Make way for the next man'.

From Boetie, Dugmore (Barney Simon, ed.), "Familiarity is the Kingdom of the Lost" (New York: Four Walls Eight Windows, 1969), pp. 71-72
'Chocholoza!' Chocholoza is the song that South African blacks sing under hardship. Especially by long-term convicts when engaged in hard labour. Chocholoza is like a child with no parents. Nobody knows when or where it originated from, but what everyone knows is that when there is some kind of deep-rooted ache in the heart, the first thing to visit the lips will be 'Chocholoza'. The song with no beginning and no end, as old as misery itself.

Shosholoza
Ku lezontaba
Stimela si qhamuka e South Africa
Wen u ya baleka
Wen u ya baleka
Ku lezontaba
Stimela si qhamuka South Africa

(Shosholoza
You are meandering on those mountains
The train is from South Africa

You accelerate
You accelerate
On those mountains
The train is from South Africa)

Here's the lyrics as recorded by Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Chorus:
Shosholoza
Ku lezontaba
Stimela si qhamuka e south africa
Shosholoza
Stimela si qhamuka e south africa

Wena u ya baleka
Wena u ya baleka
Ku lezontaba
Stimela si qhamuka e south africa

Verse 1:
Shosholoza
Work, work, working in the sun
We will work as one
Shosholoza
Work, work, working in the rain
'Til there's sun again

Verse 2:
Shosholoza
Push, push, pushing on and on
There's much to be done
Shosholoza
Push, push, pushing in the sun
We will push as one

Sithwele kanzima, sithwele kanzima (ooh, aah!)
Sithwele kanzima, sithwele kanzima (ooh, aah!)
Sithwele kanzima, sithwele kanzima (ooh, aah!)
Sithwele kanzima, sithwele kanzima (ooh, aah!)
Sithwele kanzima, sithwele kanzima (ooh, aah!)
Etshe!

Shosholoza

repeat chorus

repeat verse 1

repeat chorus

Shosholoza is available on the following compilation albums of South African music:
Ladysmith Black Mambazo with the Springbok Rugby Team - We Are The Champions - The Songs That Won The World Cup also on Anthems
Ladysmith Black Mambazo 1999 (Metro Mix) - Sound Offerings From South Africa 2
PJ Powers - Springbok Rugby Hits
Leon Schuster - We Are The Champions - The Songs That Won The World Cup
West Transvaal Youth Choir - Rainbow Nation - Rhythm & Chants From South Africa

From: http://www.geocities.com/rembrandt0/Lyrics/S/Shosholoza.html

(note--even I don't believe I found this!)

08 Jan 06 - 09:55 AM (#1644066)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Shololoza
From: GUEST

just a note.

originally the train in the song was coming from rhodesia and the train was coming to bring freedom to the laborers. it was very much a song of black laborers, include those laying the railroads. i learned it when i was working dragging nets to catch fish.

in many recent versions of the song, rhodesia is replaced with south africa and the song has been co-opted by the entitled set proud of their self-proclaimed valiant efforts. for example, the south african entry into the world cup is "team shosholoza," and the song is their team song.

08 Jan 06 - 07:30 PM (#1644515)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Shololoza
From: Jeremiah McCaw

Part of the song is also used in the chorus of Eric Bogle's song "Singing the Spirit Home" about a black South African facing execution.

08 Jan 06 - 08:13 PM (#1644551)
Subject: Lyr Add: SHOSHOLOZA
From: Azizi

I've been trying to find my Gumboots CD. No luck yet. But I did find this website:

http://gumboot.dancers.users.btopenworld.com/page0004.html

This page contains a listing of all the songs on that CD. If you click on the song title, you'll get the lyrics and translations of that song.

Here's the lyrics listed for Shosholoza which the website describes as "The unofficial National Anthem of South Africa":

Shosholoza (shosholoza)
Kulezo ntaba stimela zaseSouth Afrika
Wen(a) uyabaleka (wen' uyabaleka)
kulezo ntaba stimela zaseSouth Afrika
(repeat)

Qubula zasha! (Qubula zasha)

Kwenze njani?
Thula washiya! (washiya!)
Thuta amabhakede Iza!


Translation:

Move fast
on those mountains
train from South Afrika.
You are running away
on those mountains
train from South Afrika.

Up it goes (up it goes)
what is wrong?
Be quiet! Leave behind
Move the buckets. Come!


-snip-

I had the pleasure of seeing the Gumboots show in Pittsburgh some years ago. I consider this show to have been the Best show I have ever seen. The dancing and singing was absolutely stupendous.
I only wish that it were on video or DVD. I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

08 Jan 06 - 08:16 PM (#1644554)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Shololoza/Shosholoza/Chocholoza
From: Azizi

Sorry. Let me try that link again.

Gumboots show lyrics

27 Apr 10 - 11:34 PM (#2895669)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Shololoza
From: mg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saJmOw0GGyI&feature=related

click

Great bunch of boys singing. mg