See http://www.cumbancha.com/chiwoniso for more information on Chiwoniso.
With a sound that recalls the fire of Angelique Kidjo, the inspiration of Oliver Mtukudzi, the rebellion of Thomas Mapfumo and the soul of India.Aire, Chiwoniso is one of the most exciting talents in African music today.
Chiwoniso Maraire is a Zimbabwean musician who while pursuing her solo career has also recorded with Andy Brown and The Storm, Women's Voice, and The Collaboration.
While traditional Zimbabwean music provides a foundation for her music, she incorporates many influences.
Listen to the Breeze
Chiwoniso Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He lives in a house on the hill
Each day I pass he's sitting there
Rocking in his chair
I lift my hand in greeting
He smiles in return
Then one day he says
Come here child, I have words to tell
You have never heard before
There is magic in the air
Magic in the air
All you do is listen to the breeze
And when it rains, let your troubles wash away
May your heart be the one to steer you on
Daughter of the Sun
He says child, it is a sign of wisdom to let go
Of that within your life bringing you burden
Take each day as it comes
And each lessons it brings
Here is what I know
There is a part of you perfect and pure
A part of you that shines beyond this world
There is a part of every person you know
That lights your way
The lyrics of the Chiwoniso’s song, “Listen to the Breeze”, explores the power of exchanging words and ideas as a means of sharing wisdom and connecting to the world. The song begins with an old man who would sit and rock in a house on the hillside, and a young individual would regularly pass by, offering greetings. One day, the old man beckons to the individual and begins to share with them a lifetime of experience and insights, leading them to discover secrets that they previously had not heard before. Furthermore, the old man advises the young individual to listen to the breeze and let all their worries wash away when it rains. He then mentions the heart as the ultimate guide and ends by calling the young individual the daughter of the sun.
The lyrics paint a picture of an older person who has experienced a significant number of hardships, challenges, and trials in their lifetime, and has acquired a wealth of knowledge through those experiences that they are eager to share with younger people. They remind the listener that despite what happens in life, there is always a part of us that remains perfect and pure, guiding us towards our destiny. The song encourages the listener to remain connected to nature and their innermost selves, where secrets and treasures can be found.
Line by Line Meaning
I know this old man
The singer is familiar with an elderly man.
He lives in a house on the hill
The old man resides in a house situated on a hill.
Each day I pass he's sitting there
The singer passes by the house each day and sees the old man sitting there.
Rocking in his chair
The old man is rocking in his chair.
I lift my hand in greeting
The artist greets the old man by lifting their hand.
He smiles in return
The old man responds to the greeting with a smile.
Then one day he says
On a particular day, the old man initiates conversation with the singer.
Come here child, I have words to tell
The old man invites the artist to come closer as he has something to share.
Come and I will share with you secrets
The old man promises to reveal secrets to the artist.
You have never heard before
The old man claims that these would be new secrets to the artist.
There is magic in the air
The atmosphere seems to be filled with magic.
All you do is listen to the breeze
The old man's secret is to listen to the wind.
And when it rains, let your troubles wash away
The old man suggests that one should allow their worries to be cleansed away by the rain.
May your heart be the one to steer you on
The old man advises the singer to let their heart guide them.
Daughter of the Sun
The old man possibly addresses the singer with this honorific title.
He says child, it is a sign of wisdom to let go
The old man imparts a piece of wisdom to the artist.
Of that within your life bringing you burden
The old man suggests that one should abandon any burden in their life.
Take each day as it comes
One should live one day at a time.
And each lessons it brings
One should learn from each lesson or experience.
Here is what I know
The old man emphasizes that he has valuable knowledge to impart.
There is a part of you perfect and pure
The old man believes that there is a part of each person that is unblemished and flawless.
A part of you that shines beyond this world
This perfect and pure part of oneself is beyond this world.
There is a part of every person you know
Each person one knows possesses this part of themselves.
That lights your way
This perfect and pure part of oneself is what guides a person through life.
Writer(s): Chiwoniso Maraire
Contributed by Lucas B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Robby Adams
on Zvichapera
I've seen these lyrics misinterpreted all over the internet and not only that but written into articles. This lonely road song you guys keep quoting as the lyrics to this are from Green Day's boulevard of broken dreams!!! Lol I highly doubt those are the lyrics to this song once translated.
GiGi
on Iwai Nesu
Be with us Father God
Father God, be with us
Some are sleeping on empty stomachs
Some are are dying from feasting
Somewhere some are perishing due to water/rains
Somewhere some are perishing due to the sun/heat
To lead and be led
We are your children
In our speaking and bluffing
We are your children
In what we think and dream
Peejay
on Urombo
They are reat 5 star
LT
on Vanorapa
Does anyone know the meaning of this song?