Wimoweh
Arlo Guthrie & Pete Seeger Lyrics

The song "Wimoweh" originated in South Africa as "Mbube" and was performed by Zulu musician Solomon Linda in the 1930s. The song tells the story of a lion and his pride, and Linda's original lyrics were in Zulu. The opening chorus of "Wimoweh" was an approximation of the Zulu word "uyimbube," meaning "he is a lion."

Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seeger's version of "Wimoweh" was released in 1963 as part of their album "The World of Pete Seeger." The song is an upbeat and joyous celebration of African culture, with fiery vocal harmonies and African-inspired rhythms. The lyrics are a mix of Linda's original Zulu lyrics and new, English lyrics written by George David Weiss.

The repetition of "Wimoweh" throughout the song is a nod to the Zulu tradition of call-and-response singing, with one person leading the call and others responding in unison. The line "oh le oh la" is a call to dance, and the "oh oh oh" section is also meant to inspire a call-and-response dance. Overall, the song is a vibrant celebration of African culture and the power of music.