05 December African Rain
Juluka/Savuka/Johnny Clegg Lyrics
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Standing on the earth, the sky is bleeding
Standing on the earth, sun is leaving
Leaving us behind
Once there was an African love song
Helped us on our way
Made our hearts feel as strong
As the African Day
The long gone summer has passed
And I hear the owls calling my name
The firelight has danced its last
Across your face my friend
And though I love you
I somehow know this is going to be the end
Now the sun has disappeared
And all that remains
An old tin mug and a photograph
So wipe away those tears, and remember the good times
Standing on the earth, moon is rising
Somewhere in the world, spirit flying
Standing on the earth, leaves are falling
Taking us away
I never knew whom I could love more, you or the land
Till I stood lost upon that shore, naked and alone
Bye bye December African rain
The long gone summer has passed
And I hear the owls calling my name
The firelight has danced its last
Across your face my friend
And though I love you
I somehow know this is going to be the end
Cause all the birds have flown away
The night is closing in
It's so hard to say goodbye to eyes as old as yours my friend
Where did the time go?
Can you tell me, where did the time go?
Where did the time go?
Can you tell me, where did the time go?
Where did the time go?
Can you tell me, where did the time go?
Time life show
Life time go
Time life show
Where did the time go?
Can you tell me, where did the time go?
Where did your life go?
Can you tell me, where did my life go?
Where did your life go?
Can you tell me, where did you're life go?
Where did your life go?
"December African Rain" by Juluka/Savuka/Johnny Clegg is a reflective and nostalgic song that captures the essence of a love for Africa and the bittersweet experience of witnessing the passage of time. The lyrics describe the singer standing on the earth, observing various elements of nature such as seagulls flying, the sky bleeding, and the sun leaving. These images evoke a sense of change and loss, as nature goes through its cycles and moves forward, leaving the singer behind.
The song also speaks of an African love song that once provided strength and guided the singer's journey. It reminisces about the powerful emotions that the song ignited, making hearts feel as strong as the African day. However, as the seasons change and the rain of December falls, the long gone summer passes, and the owls call the singer's name, signaling the end of something significant. The lyrics reflect the struggle to say goodbye to a loved one and the comforting memories of the good times shared.
The song beautifully captures the connection between the love for a person and the love for the land. The singer reveals their uncertainty of whom they could love more, between the person and the African landscape. It is a profound realization that standing lost and alone on that African shore, they realize the deep bond they have with both.
Overall, "December African Rain" portrays a mix of longing, nostalgia, and a contemplation of the passing of time, intertwining the themes of love for both a person and the African continent.
Line by Line Meaning
Standing on the earth, seagull flying
In this vast world, the seagull soars freely
Standing on the earth, the sky is bleeding
Witnessing the earth's pain, as the sky exudes sorrow
Standing on the earth, sun is leaving
As the sun sets, it bids farewell
Leaving us behind
Leaving humanity to face its own fate
Once there was an African love song
Once, there existed a heartfelt melody from Africa
Helped us on our way
Guided us throughout our journey
Made our hearts feel as strong
Infused strength into our hearts
As the African Day
Similar to the essence of an African day
Bye bye December African rain
Farewell, dear rain of December in Africa
The long gone summer has passed
The summer that has faded into the past
And I hear the owls calling my name
The sound of owls echoes, calling me
The firelight has danced its last
The dancing flames have now extinguished
Across your face my friend
Over the visage of my comrade
And though I love you
Even though I adore you
I somehow know this is going to be the end
Somehow, deep down, I sense this is the conclusion
Now the sun has disappeared
At this moment, the sun has vanished
And all that remains
Leaving behind only
An old tin mug and a photograph
An aged tin mug alongside a photograph
So wipe away those tears, and remember the good times
Therefore, dry your tears and reminisce about the joyful moments
Standing on the earth, moon is rising
While standing on the earth, observing the ascending moon
Somewhere in the world, spirit flying
In some distant place, experiencing the freedom of the spirit
Standing on the earth, leaves are falling
Witnessing the descent of falling leaves
Taking us away
Transporting us to another realm
I never knew whom I could love more, you or the land
I was unaware of whom I cherished more, you or the terrestrial domain
Till I stood lost upon that shore, naked and alone
Until I found myself stranded on that shore, vulnerable and solitary
Cause all the birds have flown away
For all the birds have departed
The night is closing in
The darkness is encroaching
It's so hard to say goodbye to eyes as old as yours my friend
Bidding farewell to ancient eyes like yours, my dear friend, is exceedingly difficult
Where did the time go?
Where has the time vanished?
Can you tell me, where did the time go?
Could you possibly inform me, where has the time gone?
Where did your life go?
Where has your life dissolved?
Can you tell me, where did my life go?
Would you be able to elucidate, where has my life disappeared?
Where did your life go?
Where has your life eroded?
Can you tell me, where did you're life go?
Can you enlighten me, where has your life faded?
Where did your life go?
Where has your life withered?
Lyrics © RHYTHM SAFARI PTY LTD, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: JONATHAN PAUL CLEGG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind