The Click Song
Miriam Makeba Lyrics
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Igqira lendlela nguqongqothwane
Igqira lendlela nguqongqothwane
Igqira lendlela nguqongqothwane
Seleqabel'egqith'apha nguqongqothwane
Selequbul'egqith'apha nguqongqothwane
Seleqabel'egqith'apha nguqongqothwane
Selequbul'egqith'apha nguqongqothwane
Igqira lendlela hayi nguqongqothwane
Igqira lendlela kuthwa nguqongqothwane
Igqira lendlela hayi nguqongqothwane
Igqira lendlela kuthwa nguqongqothwane
Seleqabel'egqith'apha nguqongqothwane
Selequbul'egqith'apha hmm nguqongqothwane
Seleqabel'egqith'apha awu nguqongqothwane
Selequbul'egqith'apha nguqongqothwane
Iqaqa lambetha uqongqothwane
Egqitha ngendlela kwaqhuma uthuli
Lade lamqhawula noqhoqho
Amamaxoxo ayagxumagxuma kuzo iingxaxasi
The Click Song by Miriam Makeba is a well-known African song that reflects the Xhosa tribe culture. In the song, Makeba tells a story through the use of clicks, a unique style of African singing that originated from the Xhosa tribe. The song is about a man named Qongqothwane who is sitting on the side of the road, waiting for someone to pass by so that he can ask for directions. As he begins to click his tongue, the passersby notice his sound and begin to answer his questions with clicks too.
The repetitive use of the phrase "Igqira lendlela nguqongqothwane" implies Qongqothwane's persistence in waiting for someone to ask for directions. As the song progresses, the phrases "seleqabel'egqith'apha nguqongqothwane" and "selequbul'egqith'apha nguqongqothwane" indicate that someone has finally responded to Qongqothwane's call for help, leading him to ask for further help, leading to the other person responding with clicks. The chorus repeats repeatedly, emphasizing the story's culmination, leading to a celebration of clicks and the culture of communication through such sounds.
Line by Line Meaning
Igqira lendlela nguqongqothwane
I am walking down the road, clicking my tongue
Seleqabel'egqith'apha nguqongqothwane
I want to arrive where my tongue clicks
Igqira lendlela hayi nguqongqothwane
I am not afraid to walk down this road clicking my tongue
Selequbul'egqith'apha hmm nguqongqothwane
I am happy to follow my tongue and go where it takes me
Seleqabel'egqith'apha awu nguqongqothwane
I will get there no matter what, following the clicking of my tongue
Iqaqa lambetha uqongqothwane
I am proud of the sound my tongue makes
Egqitha ngendlela kwaqhuma uthuli
As I walk down this path, I hear the silence around me
Lade lamqhawula noqhoqho
The birds sing along with me, making music together
Amamaxoxo ayagxumagxuma kuzo iingxaxasi
The trees rustle and whisper to each other, joining in on the fun
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GERO DRNEK, FIRST RENIER, JOHANNES HEINI SCHAEFER, CHRISTOF STEIN, KAI-UWE WINGENFELDER, THORSTEN WINGENFELDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@St0ckwell
In my native village, in Johannesburg
There is a song that we always sing when a young girl gets married
It's called The Click Song by the English
Because they can't say ngqothwane
Igqira lendlela nguqo ngqothwane
Igqira lendlela kuthwa nguqo ngqothwane
Igqirha lendlela nguqo ngqothwane
Igqirha lendlela nguqo ngqothwane
Seleqabele gqi thapha nguqo ngqothwane
Selequbule gqi thapha nguqo ngqothwane
Seleqabele gqi thapha nguqo ngqothwane
Selequbule gqi thapha nguqo ngqothwane
Igqira lendlela nguqo ngqothwane
Igqira lendlela kuthwa nguqo ngqothwane
Igqirha lendlela nguqo ngqothwane
Igqirha lendlela nguqo ngqothwane
Seleqabele gqi thapha nguqo ngqothwane
Selequbule gqi thapha nguqo ngqothwane
Seleqabele gqi thapha nguqo ngqothwane
Selequbule gqi thapha nguqo ngqothwane
@varunchoudhary8149
I am leaving this comment here so after a month or a year when someone likes it, i get reminded of this masterpiece ❤
@WallyBe
My Africa. Our Africa. All Africa. No world without Africa
@africanqueen1655
You know God’s First & Chosen when you see them. 🧐 We welcomed people that hate us, but it is all being sorted out. 🙏🏿🤴🏾👸🏾🙌🏾
@majdfares6637
I just love how proud she is of herself and her culture.
@lincolnoliveira3041
Motif
@colourinmyrainbow
@@denzmc Nonsense!
@mackadoo101
Yes indeed! Without taking away anyone's own culture that is wholesome and good, everyone should always be allowed to exude their culture, and share it to the world of people who will see, acknowledge and appreciate! For the haters of all cultures that are not theirs, and always want to imitate it...stop your hate! Look, learn ,seek...but never ever disrespect!!!!
@wissenschaftenundpraxishan1952
She was amazing with her voice and the glow in her eyes!
@visheshl
It almost feels like that click sound is a percussion instrument played by a musician while she's singing, amazing ❤
@saintclaire4897
No. She does that with her tongue.