Born into a poor family in Maceió (capital of Alagoas, Northeast Brazil), Djavan formed the group Luz, Som, Dimensão (LSD - "Light, Sound, Dimension"), playing Beatles covers. In 1973 Djavan moved to Rio de Janeiro and started singing in local nightclubs. After competing in several festivals he gained attention and recorded the album A Voz, o Violão e a Arte de Djavan in 1976. The album included the song "Flor de Lis" which became one of his most memorable hits. Albums that followed included his other musical influence, African music, and additional hits followed like "Açaí", "Sina" and "Samurai", which featured Stevie Wonder's harmonica. His best known compositions are: "Meu Bem Querer", "Oceano", "Faltando um Pedaço", "Esquinas", "Seduzir", "Pétala", "Lilás", "A Ilha", "Fato Consumado", "Álibi", "Azul" and "Serrado".
His songs have been recorded by Al Jarreau, Carmen McRae, The Manhattan Transfer, and, in Brazil by Gal Costa, Dori Caymmi, Nana Caymmi, Lenine, João Bosco, Chico Buarque, Daniela Mercury, Ney Matogrosso, Dominguinhos, Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethânia, Johnny Alf, and other artists. The 1988 Epic Records single, "Stephen's Kingdom", featured a guest appearance from Stevie Wonder.
In 1999, his live concert double-volume album, Ao Vivo, has sold 1.2 million copies and the song, "Acelerou" became the Best Brazilian song of the year at 2000 Latin Grammy Awards.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djavan
Nkosi Sikele' I-Afrika
Djavan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maluphakanyisw' uphondo lwayo,
Yizwa imithandazo yethu,
Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho lwayo.
Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso,
O fedise dintwa la matshwenyeho,
O se boloke, O se boloke setjhaba sa heso,
Uit die blou van onse hemel,
Uit die diepte van ons see,
Oor ons ewige gebergtes,
Waar die kranse antwoord gee,
Sounds the call to come together,
And united we shall stand,
Let us live and strive for freedom,
In South Africa our land
Yihla Moya, Yihla Moya,
Yihla Moya Oyingcwele
Sikelela iNkosi zetu;
Zimkumbule umDali wazo;
Zimoyike zezimhlonele,
Azisikelele.
Sikelel' amadod' esizwe,
Sikelela kwa nomlisela
Ulitwal'ilizwe ngomonde,
Uwusikelele.
The lyrics of Djavan's "Nkosi Sikele' I-Afrika" are a powerful and hopeful call for unity and freedom in South Africa. The song begins with the phrase "Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika" which means "God bless Africa." The lyrics go on to describe the beauty of the country, referencing its mountains and seas, and call for the people of South Africa to come together and stand united in the struggle for freedom.
The second verse speaks directly to the need for leadership in this struggle. The line "Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso" means "Lord, protect our nation." The lyrics go on to plead with the Lord to "feed us" and to "protect our people." This imagery of protection and love is repeated in the line "Sikelela iNkosi zetu" which means "Bless our leaders." The song asks for the Lord's intervention and guidance in the fight for freedom.
The final verse of the song speaks to the broader human struggle for freedom and equality. The lyrics call for all people, regardless of race or nationality, to be united in the cause for justice. The phrase "Yihla Moya Oyingcwele" means "Come Holy Spirit" and speaks to the belief in the transformative power of God's love and spirit. The song ends with a plea for all people to come together and strive for freedom and peace.
Line by Line Meaning
Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika
God bless Africa
Maluphakanyisw' uphondo lwayo,
Let its (Africa's) horn be raised
Yizwa imithandazo yethu,
Listen to our prayers
Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho lwayo.
God bless us, her children.
Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso,
Lord, protect our nation
O fedise dintwa la matshwenyeho,
End all wars and tribulations.
O se boloke, O se boloke setjhaba sa heso,
Protect us, protect our nation
Setjhaba sa South Afrika - South Afrika.
Our nation of South Africa - South Africa.
Uit die blou van onse hemel,
From the blue of our sky
Uit die diepte van ons see,
From the depth of our sea
Oor ons ewige gebergtes,
Over our everlasting mountains
Waar die kranse antwoord gee,
Where the cliffs give answer
Sounds the call to come together,
Sounds the call for us to unite
And united we shall stand,
And together we will be strong
Let us live and strive for freedom,
Let us work and struggle for freedom
In South Africa our land
In South Africa, our own land
Yihla Moya, Yihla Moya,
Come Spirit, come Spirit
Yihla Moya Oyingcwele
Come Spirit of Holiness
Sikelela iNkosi zetu;
Bless our Lord
Zimkumbule umDali wazo;
Remember our Creator
Zimoyike zezimhlonele,
Let him guide us and protect us
Azisikelele.
Bless us.
Sikelel' amadod' esizwe,
Bless the men and women of our nation
Sikelela kwa nomlisela
Bless our youth
Ulitwal'ilizwe ngomonde,
Bless our land and nation
Uwusikelele.
Bless us.
Writer(s): Dp, Jon Cohen, Joseph Muyale Inzai
Contributed by Victoria V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sueli afonso's
Saudade da minha filha cantando esse Hino da África...tudo errado....kkkk..com 3 aninhos...Amo Djavan esse Poeta Imcomparável!!!😘❤❤❤
Lourdes Moraes
Ahhh Djavan....dá até uma tristeza no coração de ouvir um cântico, feito uma prece. Mais uma vez...gratidão. Precisamos estar atentos aos sinais 🙏💫❤
Lucas Camelucci
Ouvir essa música dá uma vontade de aprender essa língua. Amo!
Leandro Ribeiro
Toda hora as 4 da manhã..tô aqui pra ouvir vc meu Ídolo..Djavan
Rossana Stabile
🤩 BOM DIA POETA MUSICAL...TAMO JUNTO...NOVAMENTE... BOM DIA E A GALERA DA MADRUGADA TB...💜💜💜👏👏👏🌜⭐...
Eliane Ferreira SCI
👏👏👏👏👏👏
África mãe... parabéns pela homenagem.
💕💕💕
Sueli afonso's
Faltou um pedaço...mas tudo bem...eu tenho o DVD COMPLETO....MARAVILHOSO!!!!🎤🎶🎵🎼❤❤❤
Cleiton Bayano
Djavan um mestre da nossa música brasileira
IZANETE BARBOSA
👏👏👏👏
Alisson Cristovao Da Cruz
Simplesmente uma maravilha. ... 👏🏾💪🏾🌹💙👍🏾