At the age of 14, Clegg met Zulu street musician Charlie Mzila, who taught him Zulu music and dancing over the following two years. In 1969 Johnny Clegg and Sipho Mchunu met in Johannesburg when young sipho went there to find work. The 18-year-old Mchunu challenged the 16-year-old Clegg to a guitar contest, and the two became friends. Soon, they were performing together on the streets and in what few other unofficial venues a multi-racial band could safely play in under apartheid. They were forced to keep a low profile and their success came from word of mouth instead of through traditional publicity. Clegg himself was arrested and beaten up by the police on several occasions for his activities and also for the band's lyrics. For some commentators, Juluka was the band that had the greatest success in challenging the racial separateness of Apartheid. When performing, both black and white band members would appear on stage in traditional Zulu dress and perform the traditional Zulu war dance together while singing in Zulu and English.[1]
In 1976, they released their debut single, "Woza Friday", followed three years later by a critically acclaimed album, Universal Men.[2] The album's poetic lyrics were strongly influenced by John Berger's A Seventh Man as well as Pablo Neruda and Jean-Paul Sartre.[citation needed] Expanding to a quintet, they released a second album, African Litany, in late 1981. The album's lead single, "Impi", with its pointedly political lyrics about a defeat of the colonial British army by the Zulus at the Battle of Isandlwana, was banned by South African radio but became an underground hit. In contemporary South Africa it is often associated with national sports teams. The album garnered them their first international attention, and they were able to successfully tour in Europe and North America in 1982 and 1983. However, in June 1983, the British music magazine, NME, reported that they were initially banned by the Musicians Union as, ..."since it would not be possible to approve one of our bands working in South Africa, there is no possibility of an exchange". The ban was eventually lifted, with the group donating their fees to charity.[3]
In South Africa, Juluka was also banned by Radio Bantu, a government approved radio station for the black population, which allegedly refused to play Juluka's music, because Clegg's efforts were seen as "an insult to the Zulu and their culture".[4]
The group disbanded in 1985 when Mchunu moved back to the farm where he was born in Natal to take care of his family. Clegg went on to form a new band, Savuka, with whom he achieved even greater international success. In 1997, however, the two friends came back for a final album together. It did not receive the critical acclaim of early Juluka albums like Universal Men, African Litany, Work for All and Scatterlings.
Circle Of Light
Juluka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
None has shone as brightly as you
Wrestling with your book of colours
Page by page I look for clues
from the gloom of my dark window
I know one day I will make that flight, I will.....
Step into your circle of light
Between jesus and my ancestors
Between my tribe and my "urban cool"
Lies a bridge never crossed by any other
I cross that distance with my sacred shoes
Who needs the stars if you can see the moon
Because in my dreams you keep shining through, I will....
Step into your circle of light
Ye le le mama
Between jesus and my ancestors
Between my tribe and my "urban cool"
Lies a bridge never crossed by any other
I cross that distance with my sacred shoes
Who needs the stars if you can see the moon
Because in my dreams you keep shining through, I will....
Step into your circle of light
Ye le le mama
I'll cross your ocean tonight
Ye le le mama
Into your circle of light
I will leave the house of my father
I do not dream there any more
Dance across the silence of the future
And make for tomorrow's shifting shores
I've got the wind to my back
I've got the moon in my eye
I've got the earth beneath my feet and I'm steady
I've got to meet the dealer and trade a lost soul,
I feel strong and I'm ready....
Step into your circle of light
Ye le le mama
Between jesus and my ancestors
Between my tribe and my "urban cool"
Lies a bridge never crossed by any other
I cross that distance with my sacred shoes
Who needs the stars if you can see the moon
Because in my dreams you keep shining through, I will....
The lyrics of Juluka's song "Circle of Light" explore the idea of pursuing and achieving one's dreams. The singer describes wrestling with their "book of colours," a metaphor for exploring their passions and interests in life. The singer is determined to make their dreams a reality, symbolized by "stepping into the circle of light," a metaphorical place of success and fulfillment. The singer is aware of the challenges that lie ahead of them, including being caught between their tribal roots and urban upbringing, but they are determined to overcome them and reach their goals. The final stanza, in particular, speaks to the singer's confidence and fortitude in the face of adversity, as they declare they are ready to overcome the obstacles that stand in their way.
Overall, "Circle of Light" encourages listeners to chase their dreams and face their fears with determination and strength. The song highlights the importance of self-confidence and perseverance, even in the face of great challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
In the history of all dreams
Out of all the dreams that have ever existed
None has shone as brightly as you
Yours is the brightest dream of all
Wrestling with your book of colours
Struggling to understand your vision
Page by page I look for clues
Trying to find answers in your dream's details
from the gloom of my dark window
From my place of sadness and despair
I know one day I will make that flight, I will.....
I believe I'll make your dream a reality someday
Step into your circle of light
Enter into the vision that you've created
Between jesus and my ancestors
In the space between my religion and my heritage
Between my tribe and my 'urban cool'
In the division between my rural roots and my city lifestyle
Lies a bridge never crossed by any other
There is a gap that no one else has ever closed
I cross that distance with my sacred shoes
I'll travel the path using my own unique methods
Who needs the stars if you can see the moon
Why search far and wide when the solution is in front of you?
Because in my dreams you keep shining through, I will....
Because your vision keeps inspiring me, I'll strive to make it real
I'll cross your ocean tonight
I'll take on this burdensome task immediately
I will leave the house of my father
I'll break free from my family's restrictions
I do not dream there any more
I'm no longer confined to that narrow thinking
Dance across the silence of the future
Embrace the unknown possibilities to come
And make for tomorrow's shifting shores
Head towards the uncertain and ever-changing future
I've got the wind to my back
I have favorable circumstances on my side
I've got the moon in my eye
I'm focused and determined
I've got the earth beneath my feet and I'm steady
I'm grounded and unshakeable
I've got to meet the dealer and trade a lost soul
I must confront the obstacles before me and overcome them
I feel strong and I'm ready....
I'm confident and prepared to take on any challenge
Ye le le mama
A celebratory cheer, expressing excitement and enthusiasm
Contributed by Cole O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@thesandsie13the2nd
i will miss you umfowethu you were one of the best. go, fly to the angels. i love you much
@thaveothavent3918
All time classic to those who know.
@wamupepe120
Circle light always fore ever .
@wamupepe120
Strong stage , excellent ,the knowledge first of all !!!
@charjl96
Fucking good song!
@keeganbaron6571
Maskandi vibes
@clayboaventura5998
Can anyone please share the bass tabs🤩