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.
Jarusalema
Johnny Clegg & Juluka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kulomhlaba wakiti
Awu siphe amandla, Nkosi yami
Ikusasa lethu
Lisezandlern zayo
Awu siphe amandla' Nkosi yami
Inde indlela yase Jarusalema
Asazi sizofika nini
Thina ngeke silahleke
Sihamba nomSindisi
Yebo noma kade ngihamba
Ngeke ngilahle ithemba
Ngihamba nomSindisi
Sizofika nini
Kulomhlaba wakiti
Awu siphe amandla, Nkosi yami
Ikusasa lethu
Lisezandlern zayo
Awu siphe amandla' Nkosi yami
Jarusalema, Jarusalema
Kunzima lomtwalo
Jarusalema, Jarusalema
Baningi baphela kulomgwago
Yebo noma kade ngihamba
Ngeke ngilahle ithemba
Ngihamba nomSindisi
Sizofika nini
Kulomhlaba wakiti
Awu siphe amandla, Nkosi yami
Ikusasa lethu
Lisezandlern zayo
Awu siphe amandla' Nkosi yami
Awu siphe amandla Nkosi'yami
Awu siphe amandla' Nkosi yami
Awu siphe amandla' Nkosi
Somandla
Somandla
Somandla
Somandla
Kuzo kube nini ngiphile lempilo?
Kuzo kube nini ngiphile lempilo?
So'fika nini eJarusalema?
So'fika nini eJarusalema?
So'fika nini eJarusalema?
So'fika nini eJarusalema?
Bayakhala omame
Nabosisi, nabobuthi
Omamsala, omahlumi, ogogo, obabamkulu
Bathi, Maye, Maye, Maye, Maye
Mayebabo
Maye, Maye, Maye, Maye
Mayebabo
Maye, Maye, Maye, Maye
Mayebabo
Maye, Maye, Maye, Maye
Mayebabo
Maye, Maye, Maye, Maye
Mayebabo
The song "Jarusalema" is a call to action and a prayer for strength and guidance. The lyrics repeat the question "Sizofika nini kulomhlaba wakiti?" which means, "When will we reach this world of ours?" This question is followed by a plea to the "Nkosi yami" or "my God" for the power to reach tomorrow, which is represented by the hopeful phrase "Ikusasa lethu lisezandleni zayo" or "our future is in our own hands."
The singer then references the "inde indlela yase Jarusalema," or the "road to Jerusalem," which can be interpreted as a spiritual journey towards a more enlightened state. Despite the uncertainty and fear expressed in the lyrics, the singer reaffirms their faith in "Sindisi," or salvation, and their determination to continue on this path.
The repetitive chorus of "Jarusalema, Jarusalema" is a mantra that represents perseverance despite hardship, and a reminder to keep one's eyes fixed on that spiritual destination. The song ends with a series of cries and wails from different voices, representing the shared struggle of the community and the importance of unity in reaching their goals.
Line by Line Meaning
Sizofika nini
When will we arrive
Kulomhlaba wakiti
In this world of ours
Awu siphe amandla, Nkosi yami
Oh give me strength, my Lord
Ikusasa lethu
Our future
Lisezandlern zayo
Is in our hands
Inde indlela yase Jarusalema
Follow the road to Jerusalem
Asazi sizofika nini
We don't know when we will arrive
Abanye bayaduka
Others are leaving
Thina ngeke silahleke
But we will never give up
Sihamba nomSindisi
We walk with our Savior
Yebo noma kade ngihamba
Yes, even though I have been walking for a long time
Ngeke ngilahle ithemba
I will never lose hope
Jarusalema, Jarusalema
Jerusalem, Jerusalem
Kunzima lomtwalo
This burden is heavy
Baningi baphela kulomgwago
Many are dying in this land
Awu siphe amandla' Nkosi yami
Oh give me strength, my Lord
Somandla
Almighty
Kuzo kube nini ngiphile lempilo?
How long will I live this life?
So'fika nini eJarusalema?
When will we arrive in Jerusalem?
Bayakhala omame
Mothers are crying
Nabosisi, nabobuthi
Sisters and brothers
Omamsala, omahlumi, ogogo, obabamkulu
The old and the young
Bathi, Maye, Maye, Maye, Maye
They say, 'Mother, Mother, Mother, Mother'
Mayebabo
There are many of us
Maye, Maye, Maye, Maye
Mother, Mother, Mother, Mother
Mayebabo
There are many of us
Maye, Maye, Maye, Maye
Mother, Mother, Mother, Mother
Mayebabo
There are many of us
Maye, Maye, Maye, Maye
Mother, Mother, Mother, Mother
Mayebabo
There are many of us
Maye, Maye, Maye, Maye
Mother, Mother, Mother, Mother
Mayebabo
There are many of us
Lyrics © RHYTHM SAFARI PTY LTD, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: JONATHAN PAUL CLEGG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@deborahpoliti6521
One of my favorites! I live in Jerusalem, i love Johnny Clegg and he was a Jew.
@nicolettefaddel3505
WERE ARE THE Johnny Clegg ANTHROPOLOGIST SCHOOLS OF MUSIC, KNOWLEDGE AND ARTS AND HEALING WERE OH WERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@adamasy5184
Very Nice
@myearsloveit
💗
@karifribacken5194
1983 i Swaziland Arvid Jörgen kolflath
@nicolettefaddel3505
I heard he playing at the age of understanding, hearing music......