Already in his youth, Johnny Clegg, a white, English-speaking person with what he called a "secular Jewish" upbringing in the UK, Israel, Rhodesia, Zambia, and South Africa, became interested in Zulu street music and took part in traditional Zulu dance competitions.
As a young man, in the early stages of his musical career, he combined his music with the study of anthropology, a subject which he also taught for a while at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, where he was influenced, among others, by the work of David Webster, a social anthropologist who was assassinated in 1989.
Clegg formed the first inter-racial South African band, Juluka, with gardener and Zulu street musician Sipho Mchunu. Because it was illegal for inter-racial bands to perform in South Africa during apartheid, their first album Universal Men received no air play, but it became a word-of-mouth hit.
Juluka's / Clegg's music was both implicitly and explicitly political: not only was the fact of the success of the band (which openly celebrated African culture in a non-racial band) a thorn in the flesh of a political system based on racial separation; the band also produced some explicitly political songs. For example, the album "Work for all" (which includes a song with the same title) picked up on South African trade union slogans in the mid-80's. Even more explicit was the (later) Savuka album "Third World Child" in 1987, with songs like "Asimbonanga", which called for the release of Nelson Mandela, and which called out the names of three representative martyrs of the South African liberation struggle: Steve Biko, Victoria Mxenge, and Neil Aggett.
The following albums "Shadow Man" (which sold 250 000 copies within a week after it's release went on to sell more than 1 000 000 copies in France alone)[1], and "Cruel Crazy, Beautiful World" were dealing with more romantic topics, including "Cruel Crazy Beautiful World", where a father gives a message to his son, "Dela" where the very essence of love is explored, and more politically focused songs, such as "Warsaw 1943" and "One (Hu)'man one vote" which go back to political messages. The blend of topics is somehow confusing at first but gives an idea of the creative process underlying it, while the music and lyrics retain all the talent of the singer and his band. "Third World Child" and "Shadow Man" occupied 1st and 2nd position respectively in France and became the most successful foreign band in France and "Shadow Man" topped the charts in Montreaux, Canada.[2] During the prime of the band in 1988 Michael Jackson had to cancel his show as he attracted fewer audience as compared to Johnny Clegg and Savuka.[3] Their last album "Heat Dust and Dream" was nominated for a Grammy Award for best album in the category of World Music.[4]
Juluka were able to tour in Europe, and had two platinum and five gold albums, becoming an international success. Juluka was disbanded in 1986, when Mchunu was asked by his father to return home and herd the family goats, although Mchunu made some solo recordings afterwards. Clegg went on to form his second inter-racial band, Savuka, continuing to blend African music with European, especially Celtic, influences.
Briefly reunited with Mchunu in the mid-90's, Clegg reformed Juluka and toured throughout the world as the opening act for King Sunny Ade, as well as headliner performances.
The name Juluka is based on the Zulu word for "sweat", and Savuka is based on the Zulu word for "we have risen" or "we have awakened".
Clegg and his band often make an international tour during May-August (South African winter). However, the tours are usually limited to France and surrounding countries. In June 2004, the Johnny Clegg Band toured North America for the first time in over eight years, doing 22 concerts in one month. Even though they had no albums for sale in North America during those eight years, and no significant media coverage, they filled most of their venues. At the close of the final concert at the Keswick Theater in Philadelphia, Clegg stated that he was amazed at the reception they had gotten, and promised to return the following year with a full band. He then thanked his Internet fans for their support.
The band returned to North America in July 2005, with dates booked throughout the U.S. and Canada. Clegg's new album One Life was remixed at Real World Studios in Bath, England, and released on October 30th, 2006 in the UK.
In 2004 he was voted 23rd in the SABC3's Great South Africans.
Deliwe
Johnny Clegg & Juluka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The wind in the north has changed and it blows your way
Whatever will you do
When the rain starts to fall
Will you join the swallows and fly away
To the citadels of Europe across the sea
Deliwe would you go away without me
Would you leave this land that's green
Where your home straddles the earth
Leave the winds and the blessing of the bushland
You are a child of Africa
You are a wilderness
You are a jungle juniper
You are a flame lily
And as you walk in a foreign land
The songs of a road gang ring
Oh how they sing
And that melody will haunt your days
Like falling autumn leaves
Stella baba stella ba
Stella jahla lotaba
Stella baba stella ba
Stella jahla lotaba
Stella baba stella ba
Stella jahla lotaba
Stella baba stella ba
Stella jahla lotaba
Soba bonga la
Soba bonga la
The bees are buzzing in your honey mouth
And I have drawn the water from your well
The deep rushing down
While the night birds call
And the waters wash me on the inside
Wisps of the willow fall from your hair
Dreams and leaves of sorrow bequeath to you
By the deeds of your fathers
Hidden from your view
But in the north the thunderclouds would judge you
But you will always be a child of Africa
Always wilderness
And the sorrow that stirs your heart inside
Is the dust of the regiments
But one day the skies will clear and eagles fly above those you left behind
Oh Deliwe won't you stay a while with me
Oh bless this water bless this land
Give us food to eat
Let our herds span the hills
Let them graze in peace
If soldiers march across our fields
Give them eyes to see
The children singing in the sand
Songs in the north wind
And we will praise your name
We will praise your name
And one day the skies will clear and eagles fly above those you left behind
Oh Deliwe won't you stay a while with me
Stella baba stella ba
Stella jahla lotaba
Stella baba stella ba
Stella jahla lotaba
Stella baba stella ba
Stella jahla lotaba
Stella baba stella ba
Stella jahla lotaba
Oh bless this water bless this land
Give us food to eat
Let our herds span the hills
Let them graze in peace
If soldiers march across our fields
The song Deliwe by Johnny Clegg & Juluka is a beautiful tribute to Africa, its people, and its natural beauty. The song speaks to Deliwe about the changing winds, impending rain, and the decision to leave or stay in her homeland. Deliwe is encouraged to embrace her African heritage, which is symbolized by the bees buzzing in her honey mouth, the water from her well, and the bushland in which she dwells. The lyrics are also imbued with a sense of longing and sorrow, as Deliwe is torn between the beauty and familiarity of her homeland and the allure of the citadels of Europe across the sea. However, the song ends with a plea for blessings upon the people and the land, and an assurance that one day the skies will clear and the eagles will fly above those who are left behind.
Overall, Deliwe is a moving and evocative song that captures the complexity of the African experience, the longing for home and the desire for adventure and exploration, and the resilience and beauty of the people and the land.
Line by Line Meaning
Deliwe can you see the clouds rolling in
As you walk through the land, can you see the approaching storm clouds?
The wind in the north has changed and it blows your way
The wind coming from the north has changed direction and is now blowing towards you.
Whatever will you do
What action would you take?
When the rain starts to fall
When the rainfall begins to pour down.
Will you join the swallows and fly away
Will you fly away to some far-off place like the swallow birds?
To the citadels of Europe across the sea
Would you go far off to Europe for safety?
Deliwe would you go away without me
Will you leave this place without taking me with you, Deliwe?
Deliwe would you love me would you leave me
Would you still love me and leave me behind?
Would you leave this land that's green
Are you willing to leave this beautiful and lush land behind?
Where your home straddles the earth
Where your home is established on this land.
Leave the winds and the blessing of the bushland
Leave behind the comforting winds and the blessings of the natural world.
You are a child of Africa
You are indigenously rooted in Africa.
You are a wilderness
You embody the wilderness spirit of Africa.
You are a jungle juniper
You are like the Juniper, a shrub found in the African jungles.
You are a flame lily
You are a symbol of the beautiful flame lily flowers of Africa.
And as you walk in a foreign land
As you journey through a foreign place.
The songs of a road gang ring
You will hear the songs of the road workers echoing.
Oh how they sing
Their singing is how they express themselves.
And that melody will haunt your days
That tune will linger in your mind for days to come.
Like falling autumn leaves
The memory of the song is like falling autumn leaves that cover the ground.
Stella baba stella ba
This repetition of 'Stella baba stella ba' is a chant expressing a sense of joy or emotion.
Stella jahla lotaba
This repetition of 'Stella jahla lotaba' continues the chant with the same purpose of expressing a heightened feeling.
Soba bonga la
The repetition of 'Soba bonga la' continues this chant or prayer for blessings and gratitude.
The bees are buzzing in your honey mouth
The bees are humming near your mouth filled with honey.
And I have drawn the water from your well
I fetched water from your well.
The deep rushing down
As the water rushes by.
While the night birds call
During the time the nocturnal birds are vocalizing.
And the waters wash me on the inside
The water has a cleansing effect on one's insides.
Wisps of the willow fall from your hair
The willow's thin, light pieces are falling from your hair.
Dreams and leaves of sorrow bequeath to you
You are given vivid memories and a sense of sadness to remember them by.
By the deeds of your fathers, hidden from your view
Your ancestors' actions are responsible for your current circumstances, though you are unaware of how they contributed to your present reality.
But in the north the thunderclouds would judge you
However, you may still endure challenges and negative judgments from others.
But you will always be a child of Africa
Regardless of where you are, you will always have an attachment to Africa.
And the sorrow that stirs your heart inside
The sadness that stirs your being.
Is the dust of the regiments
That sad memory is a product of antiquated traditions and routines.
But one day the skies will clear and eagles fly above those you left behind
Eventually, things will improve and the people who stayed behind will continue to grow and improve.
Oh Deliwe won't you stay a while with me
Deliwe, can you stay here with me for some period of time?
Oh bless this water bless this land
A prayer for the water and land to be blessed.
Give us food to eat
Request for sufficient food to sustain us.
Let our herds span the hills
May our domesticated animals roam far and wide for their sustenance.
Let them graze in peace
May the animals consume their food without disruption.
If soldiers march across our fields
If armed forces do come near our area.
Give them eyes to see
May they see what happens here with clear understanding and act logically.
The children singing in the sand
Children singing together while playing in the sand.
Songs in the north wind
The wind coming from the north carries sweet melodies.
And we will praise your name
We promise to give you praises.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fabienfournier9141
Hallucinant ! Magnifique !
@davidisaacs3920
One of my favorite songs, does anyone know what it is about.
It it easy to make your own interpretation which I have done many times but would love to know the actual story.
Long time love affair with Johnny Clegg, Juluka and Savuka.
So sad there will be no more music.
@lisavetten3523
Easily one of their best songs. That introduction...
@bluerio8108
Lyrics describe a little me I was a jungle juniper 🥰
@MrPatrick1414
...and the waters washed me on the inside...
@marceparadam.4998
Beautiful!! :-)
@frederiquecouture3924
A choice between Tsosis and the dictatures up North...'A rock or a hard place'.
@Chidzya
Good old jams
@donuts44830
thank you for that
@paulmabunda4287
THE BAND WHO DEFIED THE EVIL THING CALLED APARTHIED.