Asimbonanga
Clegg Johnny Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Asimbonanga
Asimbonang' u Mandela thina
Laph'ekhona
Laph'ehleli khona

Asimbonanga
Asimbonang' u Mandela thina
Laph'ekhona
Laph'ehleli khona

Oh the sea is cold and the sky is grey
Look across the Island into the Bay
We are all islands 'til comes the day
We cross the burning water

Asimbonanga
Asimbonang' u Mandela thina
Laph'ekhona
Laph'ehleli khona

Asimbonanga
Asimbonang' u Mandela thina
Laph'ekhona
Laph'ehleli khona

A seagull wings across the sea
Broken silence is what I dream
Who has the words to close the distance
Between you and me

Asimbonanga
Asimbonang' u Mandela thina
Laph'ekhona
Laph'ehleli khona

Asimbonanga
Asimbonang' u Mandela thina
Laph'ekhona
Laph'ehleli khona

Steven Biko

Asimbonanga
Asimbonang 'umfowethu thina
Laph'ekhona
Laph'wafela khona

Victoria Mxenge

Asimbonanga
Asimbonang 'umfowethu thina
Laph'ekhona
Laph'wafela khona

Neil Aggett

Asimbonanga
Asimbonang 'umfowethu thina
Laph'ekhona
Laph'wafela khona

Hey wena
Hey wena nawe
Siyofika nini la' siyakhona, la'siyakhona

Hey wena
Hey wena nawe
Siyofika nini la' siyakhona, la'siyakhona

Asimbonanga
Asimbonang' u Mandela thina
Laph'ekhona
Laph'ehleli khona

Asimbonanga
Asimbonang' u Mandela thina
Laph'ekhona
Laph'ehleli khona

Asimbonanga
Asimbonang' u Mandela thina
Laph'ekhona
Laph'ehleli khona

Asimbonanga
Asimbonang' u Mandela thina




Laph'ekhona
Laph'ehleli khona

Overall Meaning

"Asimbonanga" is a powerful protest song by South African singer-songwriter Johnny Clegg and his band Savuka. The title means "We have not seen him" in isiZulu and refers to Nelson Mandela, who was still in prison at the time the song was written. The lyrics express the pain and frustration of not being able to see Mandela and the other anti-apartheid activists who were jailed and murdered by the government. Clegg also pays tribute to other fallen heroes of the struggle, including Steve Biko, Victoria Mxenge, and Neil Aggett.


The first verse sets the scene with a bleak image of a cold sea and grey sky, and the singer looking across to the island where Mandela and others are imprisoned. The second and third verses show Clegg's longing for connection and understanding, as he wonders who has the words to bridge the distance between people. The fourth and fifth verses name some of the martyrs of the struggle, with the repeated refrain "Asimbonanga" becoming more urgent and emotional. The song ends with a call to action, asking when will we arrive and be present in our struggle.


Overall, "Asimbonanga" is a moving and poignant testament to the courage and sacrifice of South Africa's freedom fighters, and a call to remember their legacy and continue the fight for justice and equality.


Line by Line Meaning

Asimbonanga
We have not seen him


Asimbonang' u Mandela thina
We have not seen Mandela


Laph'ekhona
In the place where he is


Laph'ehleli khona
In the place where he is kept


Oh the sea is cold and the sky is grey
The weather is harsh and unwelcoming


Look across the Island into the Bay
Look towards Robben Island and its bay


We are all islands 'til comes the day
We are isolated until we come together


We cross the burning water
We overcome the obstacles that separate us


A seagull wings across the sea
A bird flies over the ocean


Broken silence is what I dream
I dream of ending the silence and oppression


Who has the words to close the distance
Who can bridge the divide between us


Between you and me
Between us as people


Steven Biko
The name of a South African anti-Apartheid activist


Asimbonang 'umfowethu thina
We have not seen our brother


Laph'wafela khona
Where he died


Victoria Mxenge
The name of a South African anti-Apartheid activist


Neil Aggett
The name of a South African anti-Apartheid activist and doctor


Hey wena
Hey you


Hey wena nawe
Hey you, and you too


Siyofika nini la' siyakhona, la'siyakhona
When will we arrive, we are coming, we are coming




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT (FRANCE), RHYTHM SAFARI PTY LTD, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Jonathan Paul Clegg

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@efisioatzeni2993

Mandela io spero che dove si trova ora stia in pace ma purtroppo ciĂČ che abbiamo visto fare sinceramente non non Ă© servito a niente e questo non lo dico io peche non
sono nessuno. Tuttavia si possono vedere come vanno le cose a GioanneSburg Lascia a prendere.




l


plastica ml



r







934 2122



@testlogin9716

Born in the UK...

He was half Jewish

Lived in Zambia

Lived in Zimbabwe

Settled in South Africa

Embraced all that there is about Africa

You Johnny have lived a Life to the fullest..

You will be eternally missed..

"Scartterlings of Africa" defines me entirely...I am exactly that.

Love to you family & friends. ❀



All comments from YouTube:

@AristideDk

Who's is still listening this song in 2024 like me??? Don't pass without like my comment

@RoseSilvi

I love this song too!!!

@manonwelkenhuzen

Qui est lĂ  en 2024 ?

@simonpure109

Am there end of January

@simonpure109

😅

@masfeatboulettefeatgaiafea9423

14Ăšme nuit <3

@manonwelkenhuzen

@@masfeatboulettefeatgaiafea9423 <3 <3 <3

@allibazebazubaze2859

Janvier 25

41 More Replies...

@sosenfantsdefavorises5448

Quelle Ă©motion 😭😭😭. Qui Ă©coute en 2023😭😭 RIP Ă  ces deux grands hommes 😭😭

@brunodemadepellorce4535

❀

More Comments

More Versions