Jabu Khanyile (1957 – 11 November 2006) was a South African musician and le… Read Full Bio ↴Jabu Khanyile (1957 – 11 November 2006) was a South African musician and lead vocalist from the band Bayete.

In 1996 he won the Kora award for best Southern African artist. He performed internationally with Youssou N'Dour, Angélique Kidjo and Papa Wemba. He was known for his Pan-Africanist approach to music, attempting to unite different African styles. He generally performed in a Masai costume carrying a trademark fly-whisk, an East African symbol of royalty.

He died in 2006 after a battle with diabetes and prostate cancer.

Hope
Jabu Khanyile Lyrics

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Avumbebe vumba avumbebe vumba
Avumbebe vumba avumbebe vumba

Avumbebe vumba (shubapap we)
Avumbebe vumba (he iyobayoba ho)

Avumba avumba avumba avumba avumba

Avumbebe vumba (shubapap we he)
Avumbebe vumba (iyobayoba ho)
Avumbebe vumba (shubapap we)
Avumbebe vumba (he iyobayoba ho)
Avumbebe vumba (shubapap we)
Avumbebe vumba (he iyobayoba ho)

Hamba nhliziyo yami uye ezulwini
Hamba moya uye kobabomhkulu
Akukho kuphumula lapha emhlabeni

Ngisho abathandazi mama
Sebephethe umthandazo woxolo
Kuyafana nje ah kuyafana nje

Wo hamba nhliziyo yami uye ezulwini
Wo hamba nhliziyo yami uye ezulwini
Ah kuyafana nje ah kuyafana nje

I hear birds singing my song
I hear word chanting like drums
I hear people haming my song my song
There's no hope living on this Earth

Searching for love in my life
Searching for hope in my heart
Thandaza mthandazi

Hamba nhliziyo yami uye ezulwini
Hamba moya uye kobabomhkulu

Avumbebe vumba (shubapap we he)
Avumbebe vumba (iyobayoba ho)
Avumbebe vumba (shubapap we)
Avumbebe vumba (he iyobayoba ho)

(shubapap we he iyobayoba ho)
(shubapap we he iyobayoba ho)
(shubapap we he iyobayoba ho)
(shubapap we he iyobayoba ho)

(shubapap we he iyobayoba ho)

(shubapap we he iyobayoba ho)
(shubapap we he iyobayoba ho)

Overall Meaning

The song "Hope" by Jabu Khanyile is a poignant reflection on the difficulties of life and the search for hope and love in a world that can be both beautiful and cruel. The chorus, which consists mainly of the repeated phrase "Avumbebe vumba," seems to be a call for people to come together and find hope in each other, in the face of the challenges and hardships that life can bring. This is reinforced by the verses, which describe the struggles that the singer is facing, and the need for prayer and perseverance in order to overcome them.

The first verse begins with the singer telling their heart to go up to heaven, ultimately looking for rest and peace. The second verse speaks of the struggles faced by the singer, who cannot find rest in this world. The third verse echoes the call for prayer and perseverance, calling on the listener to search for love and hope in their life.

Overall, "Hope" is a beautiful and moving song that speaks to the human experience in a way that is both universal and deeply personal. Its themes of struggle, perseverance, and hope are powerful reminders of the resilience of the human spirit, and the importance of coming together in the face of adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

Avumbebe vumba avumbebe vumba
Repeating the phrase to create a rhythm

Hamba nhliziyo yami uye ezulwini
My heart travels to heaven in search of peace

Hamba moya uye kobabomhkulu
My spirit rises to the sky and meets the ancestors

Akukho kuphumula lapha emhlabeni
There is no rest for me on this earth

Ngisho abathandazi mama
I seek help from the ones who love me

Sebephethe umthandazo woxolo
I pour my heart out in prayer

Kuyafana nje ah kuyafana nje
It all feels the same, oh it all feels the same

Wo hamba nhliziyo yami uye ezulwini
My heart travels to heaven in search of peace

I hear birds singing my song
Nature is in harmony with my soul

I hear word chanting like drums
The universe echoes my thoughts like drums

I hear people haming my song my song
People resonate with the emotions in my music