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.
December African Rain
Juluka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Standing on the Earth seagull flying
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
Chorus:
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
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
Hum oh
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
Chorus
'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?
time life show
life time go
Where did the time go?
Where did your life go?
Can you tell me where did your life go?
The lyrics to Juluka’s song “December African Rain” are full of vivid imagery and emotion. The opening lines describe a sense of standing on the earth, feeling the presence of the natural world around us. As the song progresses, the lyrics touch on themes of love, loss, and the passage of time.
In the first verse, the lyrics speak of an African love song that once helped to guide the singer on their journey. The song’s lyrics made them feel as strong as the African day itself, imbuing them with a deep sense of purpose and power. However, the chorus marks a turning point in the song, bidding farewell to the December African rain and a long-gone summer. The firelight has danced its last, and the singer must say goodbye to a friend whose time has come to an end.
Line by Line Meaning
Standing on the Earth seagull flying
Observing a seagull flying while being on the ground
Standing on the Earth the sky is bleeding
Watching a sunset where the sky appears to be bleeding
Standing on the Earth sun is leaving
Watching the sun go down on the horizon
Leaving us behind
The sky getting dark and leaving people alone
Once there was an African love song
Referring to an African love song that existed in the past
Helped us on our way
Provided help while we were on a journey
Made our hearts feel as strong
Gave us courage to endure difficult situations
As the African Day
As strong as the African Day itself
Bye bye December African rain --
Saying farewell to the December African rain
The long gone summer has passed
Referring to the end of summer that occurred in the past
And I hear the owls calling my name
Hearing the sound of an owl which signifies the end of the day
The firelight has danced its last
The fire has stopped burning after dancing for a while
Across your face my friend
Referencing the face of the friend whom the song is being addressed to
And though I love you
Despite loving the friend, it's time to say goodbye
I somehow know this is going to be the end
Realizing and accepting that this is the end of the friendship
Now the sun has disappeared
The sun has set and is no longer visible
And all that remains
All that's left is
An old tin mug and a photograph
An old tin mug and a photograph are the only things left
So wipe away those tears and remember the good times
Urging the friend to stop crying and focus on the good memories
Standing on the Earth, moon is rising
Observing the moon rising while standing on the ground
Somewhere in the world -- spirit flying
Believing that someone's spirit is flying somewhere in the world
Standing on the Earth -- leaves are falling
Watching the leaves fall from the trees while standing on the ground
Taking us away
The falling leaves are taking us away from the current moment
I never knew whom I could love more -- you or the land
Questioning whether they love their friend or the land more
Till I stood lost upon that shore -- naked and alone
Realizing how much they love the friend only after being lost on the shore
'Cause all the birds have flown away
All the birds have flown away
The night is closing in
The night is getting closer
It's so hard to say goodbye to eyes as old as yours my friend
It's difficult to bid farewell to the eyes of the old friend
Where did the time go?
Questioning where the time has gone
Can you tell me where did the time go?
Requesting the friend to tell where the time has gone
time life show
Expressing that time is a reminder of life
life time go
Life is moving forward with time
Where did the time go?
Reiterating the question of where the time has gone
Where did your life go?
Questioning where the friend's life has gone
Can you tell me where did your life go?
Requesting the friend to tell where their life has gone
Contributed by Chase E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@annawitter5161
Oh dear! My tears are running. I am an expatriat living in New Zealand. We came here to provide a future for our children, but oh my! This song makes me remember and long! I am not even black. Why do I feel this way!!!😭😭😭😭Perhaps being a dancer and artist makes me more tuned in and sensitive. I keep Africa in prayer, dear God!!
@killuakinnie8515
We keep u in our hearts
@Cathmaj
Nostalgia is a powerful force ❤
@Shiningstarspodcast
If you are a South African..yes this song will make you feel emotional and you will miss home 🇿🇦❤ cause it is not about your appearance it about your inner South African roots ❤️🇿🇦
@daviddasilva8383
Did more to bring South Africans together than any politician. RIP mnumzane
@SiyasangaNyongoba-hk8pc
2023 I’m here because I miss my late Dad ❤️he introduced me to the best songs ever!!!!
@keithpodhradsky1314
Always loved the line about how hard it was to say goodbye to "eyes as old as yours".
@RodgersSibanda-yi4qu
Jonny clegg's words are now coming through believe me!!!
@Matthew-sq9zw
I first heard of this band from my father ...RIP....and still listen to these amazing guys....I'm currently homeless and came across some fellow homeless guys from Africa and I asked they were familiar with them ....stupid question...but it brought tears k owing they fou d someone else who appreciates this music.....thanks Johnny Clegg and Juluka
@daviddasilva8383
God bless. Hope you find your home and your place in the sun soon