The Waiting
CLEGG Johnny & SAVUKA Lyrics

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Here we stand waiting on the plain
Darkness has taken the last outpost of the day
Somewhere gunships hunt their illusive prey
And I know inside you feel the same way

The sky in your heart is so grey
And the jackals howl inside
I see you walking with your head down

Tomorrow is always betrayed
By too much hope displayed
So you take it as it comes now
Ngempilo yami yonke
(With all my life)
I'm waiting, I'm waiting

Here we stand waiting on the plain
Darkness has taken the last outpost of the day
Somewhere gunships hunt their elusive prey
And I know inside you feel the same way
Ngempilo yami yonke
(With all my life)
Kudala ngilindele
(So long I've been waiting)

You've learned to live inside the space
That connects each link of chain
And you say you've got some peace of mind now
But I know you're waiting all the same
With an ache that has no name
When you feel the fresh breath of the invisible wind
Ngempilo yami yonke
(With all my life)
Waiting, I'm waiting

I will undo these chains
Ngizowakhumula amakhethanga
(I will undo these chains)

Here we stand waiting on the plain
Darkness has taken the last outpost of the day
Somewhere gunships hunt their elusive prey
And I know inside you feel the same way
Ngempilo yami yonke
(With all my life)

Kudala ngilindele
(So long I've been waiting)

Overall Meaning

The song "The Waiting" by Johnny Clegg and Savuka is a reflection on the experience of waiting, particularly in the face of daunting circumstances. The song takes place on a plain, where darkness has descended and gunships are hunting their prey. The lyrics suggest that the waiting is not just about a particular outcome, but a state of being that is internal and existential. The chorus, "Ngempilo yami yonke (with all my life), I'm waiting" underscores the seriousness and gravity of the waiting, which seems to be linked to a quest for a deeper meaning and connection to life.

The imagery in the song is evocative and rich with meaning. The reference to gunships hunting their prey suggests a state of war, conflict, and danger. The jackals howling inside highlights the sense of isolation and loneliness often found in waiting. The reference to invisible wind evokes a sense of the mysterious and the unknown, suggesting that the waiting is not confined to a particular space or time but is something that continues indefinitely, perhaps even beyond our comprehension. Overall, the song captures the complex emotions that accompany waiting, particularly in the face of adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

Here we stand waiting on the plain
We're standing here, waiting on this plain

Darkness has taken the last outpost of the day
It's dark and the day is over

Somewhere gunships hunt their elusive prey
Somewhere, gunships are hunting for their elusive prey

And I know inside you feel the same way
I know you feel the way I do

The sky in your heart is so grey
Your emotions are clouded by sadness

And the jackals howl inside
You're feeling hopeless and scared

I see you walking with your head down
I see you walking with your head down

Tomorrow is always betrayed
Tomorrow is always let down

By too much hope displayed
Because too much hope was put into it

So you take it as it comes now
So you accept whatever happens now

Ngempilo yami yonke
With all my life

I'm waiting, I'm waiting
I'm still waiting

Here we stand waiting on the plain
We're standing here, waiting on this plain

Darkness has taken the last outpost of the day
It's dark and the day is over

Somewhere gunships hunt their elusive prey
Somewhere, gunships are hunting for their elusive prey

And I know inside you feel the same way
I know you feel the way I do

Ngempilo yami yonke
With all my life

Kudala ngilindele
I've been waiting for so long

You've learned to live inside the space
You've learned to live within your limitations

That connects each link of chain
That connects every aspect of your life

And you say you've got some peace of mind now
And you say you have peace of mind now

But I know you're waiting all the same
But I know you're still waiting

With an ache that has no name
With a feeling that can't be described

When you feel the fresh breath of the invisible wind
When you feel or sense something you can't see

Ngempilo yami yonke
With all my life

Waiting, I'm waiting
I'm still waiting

I will undo these chains
I will break free from the constraints

Ngizowakhumula amakhethanga
I will undo these chains

Here we stand waiting on the plain
We're standing here, waiting on this plain

Darkness has taken the last outpost of the day
It's dark and the day is over

Somewhere gunships hunt their elusive prey
Somewhere, gunships are hunting for their elusive prey

And I know inside you feel the same way
I know you feel the way I do

Ngempilo yami yonke
With all my life

Kudala ngilindele
I've been waiting for so long

Lyrics © RHYTHM SAFARI PTY LTD, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Jonathan Paul Clegg

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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