Johnny Clegg's second crossover band Savuka takes its name from the Zulu wo… Read Full Bio ↴Johnny Clegg's second crossover band Savuka takes its name from the Zulu word for "We have risen". Savuka, like Clegg's first band Juluka before it, mixes African music with Celtic folk music and international rock sounds. They recorded four albums: Third World Child (1987), Shadow Man (1988), Cruel, Crazy, Beautiful World (1989), Heat, Dust & Dreams (1993). The last album was nominated for a US Grammy Award for the best world music album in 1993.

In the United States songs performed by Johnny Clegg have appeared in three well-known feature films: "Scatterlings of Africa" in Rain Main, "Dela" in George of the Jungle, and "Life Is a Magic Thing" in the animated film Ferngully.

Siyayilanda
Johnny Clegg and Savuka Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Chorus
Siyayibamba siyayilanda
Ngithibamba siyayilanda
Sithibamba siyayilanda
Fetch it siyayilanda
(we are fetching our future, grabbing our tomorrow)
Repeat

Human figures in a dream
Heard them singing -- siyayilanda (we are fetching it)
You've got to get up
And carry on sing this song -- siyayilanda
There's a mean machine
Tear the bone clean, tell you
Where I've been -- siyayilanda
Eat, sleep on your feet
You're going to speak -- siyayilanda

Chorus

A falling star in the night
Comfort the weeper -- siyayilanda
You turn to the left and you turn to the right,
Losers, keepers -- siyayilanda
Hold me close I'm trapped in
A night of seasons -- siyayilanda
A new sun rising up ahead
Coming your way -- siyayilanda

Chorus

I can feel it in the air

My day is coming nearer
My day's a little nearer

Overall Meaning

The song "Siyayilanda" by Johnny Clegg and Savuka is an upbeat and energetic song about hope and determination. The chorus repeats the phrase "Siyayibamba siyayilanda, Ngithibamba siyayilanda, Sithibamba siyayilanda, Fetch it siyayilanda" which translates to "We are fetching our future, grabbing our tomorrow." The song begins with a dream sequence where the singer hears human figures singing "Siyayilanda" and urges the listener to get up and continue singing. The lyrics also mention a "mean machine" that tears the bone clean and how one must eat and sleep on their feet to move forward. The chorus repeats throughout the song, emphasizing the importance of seizing opportunities and taking control of one's future. In the second verse, a falling star is mentioned, which comforts the weeper and offers hope. The song finishes on a note of hope and determination, with the singer stating that their day is coming nearer.

The lyrics of "Siyayilanda" speak to the importance of self-determination and hope, even in difficult circumstances. Throughout the song, the message is clear - seize the opportunities in front of you and don't give up. Whether it's fighting against a "mean machine" or taking comfort in a falling star, the emphasis is on taking control of one's own life and future.

Line by Line Meaning

Siyayibamba siyayilanda
We are fetching our future, grabbing our tomorrow

Ngithibamba siyayilanda
I am holding on, we are fetching it

Sithibamba siyayilanda
We are holding on, we are fetching it

Fetch it siyayilanda
Let's fetch it, let's grab our future

Human figures in a dream
Figures appear to the singer in a dream

Heard them singing -- siyayilanda
The singer hears them singing 'we are fetching it'

You've got to get up
You must rise from your bed

And carry on sing this song -- siyayilanda
And continue singing this song, 'we are fetching it'

There's a mean machine
There is a threatening, dangerous machine

Tear the bone clean, tell you
It can leave you with nothing, it warns you

Where I've been -- siyayilanda
Where I have gone, I have fetched it