One by One
Disney Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ibambeni njalo bakithi
Ninga dinwa
Ninga phelelwa nga mandla

Siya ba bona
Bebe fun' ukusi qeda

One by one
Ngeke ba lunge
One by one
Sizo nqoba
One by one
Ngeke ba lunge
One by one

Ibambeni njalo bakithi
Ninga dinwa
Ninga phelelwa nga mandla

Siya ba bona
Babe fun' ukusi qeda

One by one
Ngeke ba lunge
One by one
Sizo nqoba

One by one
Ngeke ba lunge
One by one
Sizo nqoba

Sizo nqoba
Ngoba thina
Siya zazi

Ngoba thina
Siya zazi

Sizo nqoba
Ngoba thina
Siya zazi

Ngoba thina
Siya zazi

Zobona bayabaleka
Zobon, zobona
Zobon, zobona
Zobon, zobona
Zobon
Amagwala

Ibala lami
Elimnyama
Ndiya zidla ngalo

Ibala lami
Elimnyama
Ndiza kufa nalo

Ibala lami
Elimnyama
Ndiya zidla ngalo





Kumnandi
Kwelakakith Eafrica

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Disney's song "One by One" are in Zulu language, a Bantu language spoken in southern Africa. The song begins with the call to hold on, "Ibambeni njalo bakithi," and the assertion that we won't be defeated ("Ngeke ba lunge"). The chorus repeats the phrase "One by One," indicating that we will achieve our goals and overcome our obstacles if we face them one at a time. The song also includes the declaration that "we know who we are, we are knowledgeable" ("Ngoba thina Siya zazi").


The lyrics are a call to action, urging listeners to take things one step at a time, believing in their strength and power to overcome whatever challenges come their way. The song celebrates African culture, as indicated by the reference to the sweetness of Africa ("Kumnandi Kwelakakith Eafrica") and the use of traditional African instruments in the melody. Overall, "One by One" is a powerful and inspirational song, encouraging the listener to be strong and persistent in the face of adversity.


Line by Line Meaning

Ibambeni njalo bakithi
Hold on tight my brothers


Ninga dinwa
Don't be shaken


Ninga phelelwa nga mandla
Don't be overcome by strength


Siya ba bona
We shall see them


Bebe fun' ukusi qeda
Having enjoyed their last moments


One by one Ngeke ba lunge
One by one, they won't escape


One by one Sizo nqoba
One by one, we shall conquer


One by one Ngeke ba lunge
One by one, they won't escape


One by one
One by one


Sizo nqoba Ngoba thina Siya zazi
We shall conquer because we know ourselves


Ngoba thina Siya zazi
Because we know ourselves


Sizo nqoba Ngoba thina Siya zazi
We shall conquer because we know ourselves


Ngoba thina Siya zazi
Because we know ourselves


Zobona bayabaleka Zobon, zobona Zobon, zobona Zobon Amagwala
They are fleeing, see them run; they are cowards


Ibala lami Elimnyama Ndiya zidla ngalo
My ink is black, I will feast on it


Ibala lami Elimnyama Ndiza kufa nalo
My ink is black, I am going to die with it


Ibala lami Elimnyama Ndiya zidla ngalo
My ink is black, I will feast on it


Kumnandi Kwelakakith Eafrica
It is sweet in the land of Africa




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JONATHAN MORALI, REMI ANDRE JEAN ALEXANDRE, CLEMENT CARLE, JEAN-YVES PIERRE LOZAC'H, OLIVIER NICOLAS ERIC MARGUERIT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Coon Dog

Lyrics + Translation:
-> Note: These are the official lyrics, they don't apply fully here, but maybe it helps to understand something.
If someone has a better version for this video, just reply here.

Ibabeni njalo bakithi [Hold on tight, my people]
Ninga dinwa [Don't get weary]
Ninga phelelwa nga mandla [Don't lose your strength]
Siya ba bona [We can see]
Bebe fun' ukusi xeda [They wanted to hold us back]
One by one
Ngeke ba lunge [They will not succeed]
One by one
Sizo nqoba [We will win]
One by one
Ngeke ba lunge [They will not succeed]
One by one
(Repeat)

Sizo nqoba [We will win]
Ngoba thina [Because]
Siya zazi [We know who we are]

Ngoba thina [Because]
Siya zazi [We know who we are]
(Repeat)

Zobona bayabaleka [Come and see]
Zobon, zobona [The cowards are running away]
Zobon, zobona
Zobon, zobona
Zobon
Amagwala

Ibala lami [The color of my skin]
Elimnyama [That is dark]
Ndiya zidla ngalo [I'm proud of it]

Ibala lami [The color of my skin]
Elimnyama [That is dark]
Ndiza kufa nalo [I will die with it]

Ibala lami [The color of my skin]
Elimnyama [That is dark]
Ndiya zidla ngalo [I'm proud of it]

Kumnandi [Oh yes]
Kwelakakith Eafrica [It's beautiful in Africa]



Kapeetano

[Verse: Ensemble]
Ibabeni njalo bakithi
Ninga dinwa
Ninga phelelwa nga mandla
Siya ba bona
Bebe fun' ukusi xeda
One by one
Ngeke ba lunge
One by one
Sizo nqoba
One by one
Ngeke ba lunge
One by one
Ibabeni njalo bakithi
Ninga dinwa
Ninga phelelwa nga mandla
Siya ba bona
Bebe fun' ukusi xeda
One by one
Ngeke ba lunge
One by one
Sizo nqoba
One by one
Ngeke ba lunge
One by one
Sizo nqoba
Ngoba thina
Siya zazi
Ngoba thina
Siya zazi
Sizo nqoba
Ngoba thina
Siya zazi
Ngoba thina
Siya zazi
Zobona bayabaleka
Zobona
Zobona
Zobona
Zobon
Amagwala
Ibala lami
Elimnyama
Ndiya zidla ngalo
Ibala lami
Elimnyama
Ndiza kufa nalo
Ibala lami
Elimnyama
Ndiza kufa nalo
Ha-yee
Ha
Kumnandi
Bakithi bo
Kumnandi
Kwelakakith Eafrica



All comments from YouTube:

Sigrid Hammond

When they sing this in the Lion King in Broadway to open the 2nd act the entire cast is around in the audience and balconies in traditional dress waving flags and banners and it is SO powerful and joyous, had no idea this animation and recording existed. 😭

Kai Umeda

Those “flags” are meant to resemble birds

Emily Glass

I saw that show and this song with the puppetry and having the cast members among the audience...it was just so powerful! Lebo M's vocals are really awesome, especially in this short.

Charles Raass

This deserves to be so much bigger then it is! Doesn’t get the credit it deserves! It’s literally a forgotten gem😭💯✨ This is what it sounds like walking into the gates of Heaven💫

Luke Grant

Charles Raass - YES 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯. I love this song

Damion Locke

I remember watching this when I was in my very early teens, and it made me cry. I watched and admired the television and my ears nearly exploded with such an array of fantastic melody, it literally drew me to tears. Not only because it is absolutely stunning and artistic in every way, shape or form. Not because of it's remarkable beauty in it's simplicity. But because of the message that many miss in it. Those children have nothing...they grow up on nothing, they live on nothing. The one time they have a chance to have an unbelievable amount of fun and joy in the simplest event such as kite flying, and they still have the dignity to let their kites go. To give freedom to something that had given them so much happiness. I look around me today as I am nearing twenty three years old, and I'm ashamed of my generation. So much greed and disrespect. I wish we could give the things we dont appreciate to those who would, and learn to respect and appreciate the things we never needed in the first place.

Steven Mooney

So beautifully expressed Damion, I too feel the emotion and elation over this simple act. It touches a chord in all us that tap into it and resonates with joy as we too run with these children to the top of that hill and escape for a moment all the ugliness in this world!

Tony Robinson

Damion Locke And the movie being that mature gives a new light to appreciation. I rediscovered the video after seeing it years ago and I STILL shed a tear or two at the end. You are on point...to resemble the shanties of Swaziland and Desotho, to make something from nothing, to work together for the success of it and to let it go to shared with the world...something of extraordinary from their little village...I AM EMOTIONAL because of what I see in my daily life doesn't represent giving. If it starts with me, it should change.

Mistfall

Damion Locke I wish you could help the body of Christ recognize this and rehome things that just sit idle.

Kristine Schinella

Damion Locke i

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