Utshani Obulele
Johnny Clegg Lyrics


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Wangishisa ndoda ngakhala ngaphansi
(You have betrayed me, man, I fell down to the ground)
Ngakuthemba wemfo
(Trusted you, brother)
Wangilhala obala
(But you threw me out into the wasteland)
Wangivala ngomkhonyovu
(You betrayed and tricked me badly)

Kanti siphuma ndawonye
(Even tho' we come from the same village)
Uma ngibuza uthi
(And when I ask you why you did this you say)
Yizinto zalomhlaba
(It's the way of the world)
Yimi loyo
(This is me now)
Wangiwisa phansi
(You made me collapse)
Yimi loyo
(This is me now)
Sengizovuka
(I will rise up)
Ngihlakanipha
(And become wiser)
Ngibemusha
(And be new again)
Phasopha demmet!
(Watch out, damn it)




Sengifikile
(I have arrived)

Overall Meaning

The song Utshani Obulele by Johnny Clegg is about betrayal and the pain of losing trust in someone you once considered a brother. The lyrics express the feeling of being thrown out into the wilderness after trusting someone completely. The emotions of betrayal, hurt, and anger run deep in this song.


The opening lines of the song,Wangishisa ndoda ngakhala ngaphansi, describes how the singer has been betrayed by someone he trusted, causing him to fall to the ground. The line, Ngakuthemba wemfo, further emphasizes that he trusted the betrayer as a brother, only to be abandoned and left alone. The lines, Wangilhala obala and Wangivala ngomkhonyovu, underline the extent of betrayal that the singer has faced, which has left him feeling hurt and angry.


The singer seeks answers by asking the betrayer why he did it, to which he is given the response, "Yizinto zalomhlaba," or "It's the way of life." The lyrics convey a sense of resignation that the world is not always fair and that you can't always trust others. But the singer has decided to take control of his life by rising above the betrayal and becoming wiser.


Overall, the song is a powerful expression of the pain of betrayal and the importance of resilience in overcoming tough experiences.


Line by Line Meaning

Wangishisa ndoda ngakhala ngaphansi
You have betrayed me, causing me to fall and cry in pain.


Ngakuthemba wemfo
I trusted you, my brother.


Wangilhala obala
But you left me stranded in a deserted, barren wasteland.


Wangivala ngomkhonyovu
You deceitfully and treacherously played me.


Kanti siphuma ndawonye
Although we are from the same village,


Uma ngibuza uthi
When I ask you why,


Yizinto zalomhlaba
You say it is the way of the world.


Yimi loyo
This is who I am now.


Wangiwisa phansi
You caused me to collapse and fall down.


Sengizovuka
But I will rise again.


Ngihlakanipha
I will become more clever and wise.


Ngibemusha
I will be new again.


Phasopha demmet!
Watch out, damn it!


Sengifikile
I have arrived.




Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Johnny Clegg

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

MX Landanox

Rip day! But he will always be in our hearts 💕 thank you John! 🎸🎸

mike vorster

Your energy and that smile on your face has and will always lift my heart and remember you. Hey Johnny gonna miss u my friend.

Susan Larhubarbe

mike vorster here’s an interview you may find interesting:
https://soundcloud.com/amanita-pavlova/2017-08-johnny-clegg-interview-yoshis-oakland

DesireeHillmann

I absolutely LOOOOVVVEEE this groove... puts my in my long lost Africxan childhood :)

Word Sailor ADD INFUNITEMS

I love this song!

Charles McGlade

Unique and powerful

spoook222

when i first listened to this song i did not realize i had (on firefox) the the playback speed set at .65 slower than normal and i was so struck by the deliciousness of it i thought this is now my most favorite johnny clegg song EVAR. sorry but it sounds fantastic at that speed, and i've listened to it about 10000000 times now. give it a try.

spoook222

also, i realize the chorus is in zulu but i swore he was singing, "i was so photogenic" lol.

thesandsie13the2nd

ngizokukukhombula umfowethu i will forever Johnny hamba uye ezingelosnik .teach those angels to sing like a bird. i love you i miss you my brother.

Susan Larhubarbe

Have you heard this interview, or been informed about it:
https://soundcloud.com/amanita-pavlova/2017-08-johnny-clegg-interview-yoshis-oakland ?

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