Heart of a Dancer
Juluka/Savuka/Johnny Clegg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
His movements have a magic mystery
They must have a message and a meaning
'Cause he's doing something to me
Please don't let the drum stop beating
I have to understand
How he dances our future and our destiny
And how we became part of this land
Sizodlala, Nani 'mabungu
Sizodlala, Nani 'mabungu, helele
Sizodlala, Nani 'mabungu
Sizodlala, Nani 'mabungu, helele
Dlala wemadlalingo...
Dlala wemadlalingoma-yo
Dlala wemadlalingo...
Dlala wemadlalingoma-yo
When you were just a witless child of wonder
He showed you the glory of his past
He weaved a dance of the thunder
That shook the mountains and the craglands
He dances the children playing in the rubble
He dances the hollow victory
He dances the powerful people ambushed by history
Sizodlala, Nani 'mabungu
Sizodlala, Nani 'mabungu, helele
Sizodlala, Nani 'mabungu
Sizodlala, Nani 'mabungu, helele
Dlala wemadlalingo...
Dlala wemadlalingoma-yo
Dlala wemadlalingo...
Dlala wemadlalingoma-yo
The dance wants to dance the dancer
But the dancer wants to dance the dance
There's a war between the puppet and the master
Between the master and the puppet-dancer's heart
Have you seen the gunfire flash across the news in the night
Have you seen the bedroom scene in the ballet
Oh the dancing bear can't bear to dance much longer
And soon the puppet will be the dance's master
Sizodlala, Nani 'mabungu
Sizodlala, Nani 'mabungu, helele
Sizodlala, Nani 'mabungu
Sizodlala, Nani 'mabungu, helele
Dlala wemadlalingo...
Dlala wemadlalingoma-yo
Dlala wemadlalingo...
Dlala wemadlalingoma-yo
"Heart of a Dancer" by Juluka/Savuka/Johnny Clegg is a song that delves into the power and significance of dance, particularly in the context of African culture. The lyrics invite the listener to explore the heart of a dancer, acknowledging the magic and mystery in their movements and recognizing that there must be a deeper message and meaning behind them. The singer expresses their desire to understand the dancer's ability to convey the future and the destiny of their people through their art. They also wonder how they themselves became connected to the land and its history through this dance.
The song pays homage to the role of dance as a cultural expression and a medium through which stories, traditions, and emotions are communicated. It highlights the important connection between dance and identity, as the dancer embodies and showcases the glory of the past, symbolized by weaving a dance of thunder that shakes the mountains and craglands. The lyrics also acknowledge the dancer's ability to capture the reality of life, including the children playing in the rubble, the hollow victories, and the powerful people affected by the weight of history.
The final verse introduces a conflict between the dancer and their dance. The lyrics suggest a struggle between the puppet and the master, with the puppet representing the dancer's role and the master representing the dance itself. This conflict reflects the tension between control and freedom, the desire to be the one directing the dance versus being the vessel through which the dance takes form. The lyrics suggest that the dancer’s heart will soon take control, implying a shift in power dynamics.
Overall, "Heart of a Dancer" celebrates the power of dance to convey history, identity, and emotions, while also acknowledging the complex relationship between the dancer and the dance itself.
Line by Line Meaning
Look into the heart of the dancer
Gaze deeply into the essence of the dancer
His movements have a magic mystery
His gestures possess an enchanting enigma
They must have a message and a meaning
They surely convey a significant purpose
'Cause he's doing something to me
Because he is evoking emotions within me
Please don't let the drum stop beating
I implore you, maintain the rhythmic drumming
I have to understand
I yearn to comprehend
How he dances our future and our destiny
How he embodies our forthcoming fate and destiny through his dance
And how we became part of this land
And how we integrated into this land as our own
When you were just a witless child of wonder
During your innocent years of limitless curiosity
He showed you the glory of his past
He unveiled the magnificence of his heritage to you
He weaved a dance of the thunder
He crafted a dance that mirrored the power of thunderstorms
That shook the mountains and the craglands
Which trembled the towering peaks and rugged terrains
He dances the children playing in the rubble
He dances alongside the innocent ones amidst the ruins
He dances the hollow victory
He portrays the empty triumphs through his dance
He dances the powerful people ambushed by history
He embodies the influential individuals who are ensnared by the past
The dance wants to dance the dancer
The dance itself desires to control the dancer
But the dancer wants to dance the dance
Yet the performer yearns to dictate the dance
There's a war between the puppet and the master
A conflict arises between the marionette and the one who pulls the strings
Between the master and the puppet-dancer's heart
Between the controlling force and the emotional core of the puppet-dancer
Have you seen the gunfire flash across the news in the night
Have you witnessed the rapid bursts of gunshots during nightly news broadcasts
Have you seen the bedroom scene in the ballet
Have you observed the intimate moment portrayed on the ballet stage
Oh the dancing bear can't bear to dance much longer
The bear forced to dance can no longer endure performing
And soon the puppet will be the dance's master
And in due time, the marionette will assume control of the dance
Lyrics © RHYTHM SAFARI PTY LTD, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: JONATHAN PAUL CLEGG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fidyanjaramanasoa1913
nice song
@TelesphoreArt
Wonderful sound quality, thank you!
@sonnyroy497
Love Johnny Clegg.
@simaoartiaga
R. I. P.... loved this guy❤️
@alisontshangana
Ya me too 👊 ❤
@maymounaly5071
❤❤❤Faboulous
R.I.P The white Zulu
@paulagabrielmircao2689
💖
@soso44
Super
@liezl-marivanrensburg891
☝ 🔝 🐾🐾🐾🐾
🌞 🙌🙌 🍃💛💛🍃 🌈
👼👼👼👼👼👼👼
Happieeeeeee
(Truth is A Lion) Day z 01:46 ⚡ ✌
@paulagabrielmircao2689
💖