The song retells the story of the Battle of Isandlwana between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom on 22 January 1879. The battle was a decisive victory for the Zulus and the British Army suffered its worst defeat against an indigenous foe with vastly inferior military technology.
Impi was banned from the radio in South Africa at the time but gained underground popularity. It remains a cult classic in South Africa and has now become mainstream to the point of often been associated with international sports events, in particular rugby.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Litany
https://web.archive.org/web/20090412152531/http://www.scatterlingsclub.com/Shop/Catalogues/ViewProduct.asp?Product=36
https://www.johnnyclegg.com/lyrics/afrlit.html#1
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Isandlwana
Impi
Juluka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Obani bengathinta amabhubesi?
Impi! wo 'nans' impi iyeza
Obani bengathinta amabhubesi?
Impi! wo 'nans' impi iyeza
Obani bengathinta amabhubesi?
Impi! wo 'nans' impi iyeza
Obani bengathinta amabhubesi?
All along the river
Chelmsford's army lay asleep
Come to crush the Children of Mageba
Come to exact the Realm's price for peace
And in the morning as they saddled up to ride
Their eyes shone with the fire and the steel
The General told them of the task that lay ahead
To bring the People of the Sky to heel
Impi! wo 'nans' impi iyeza
Obani bengathinta amabhubesi?
Impi! wo 'nans' impi iyeza
Obani bengathinta amabhubesi?
Mud and sweat on polished leather
Warm rain seeping to the bone
They rode through the season's wet weather
Straining for a glimpse of the foe
Hopeless battalion destined to die
Broken by the Benders of Kings
Vainglorious General, Victorian pride
Would cost him and eight hundred men their lives
Impi! wo 'nans' impi iyeza
Obani bengathinta amabhubesi?
Impi! wo 'nans' impi iyeza
Obani bengathinta amabhubesi?
They came to the side of the mountain
Scouts rode out to spy the land
Even as the Realm's soldiers lay resting
Mageba's forces were soon at hand
And by the evening the vultures were wheeling
Above the ruins where the fallen lay
An ancient song as old as the ashes
Echoed as Mageba's warriors marched away
Impi! wo 'nans' impi iyeza
Obani bengathinta amabhubesi?
Impi! wo 'nans' impi iyeza
Obani bengathinta amabhubesi?
Impi! wo 'nans' impi iyeza
Obani bengathinta amabhubesi?
Impi! wo 'nans' impi iyeza
Obani bengathinta amabhubesi?
Impi! wo 'nans' impi iyeza
Obani bengathinta amabhubesi?
Impi! wo 'nans' impi iyeza
Obani bengathinta amabhubesi?
Impi! wo 'nans' impi iyeza
The song "Impi" by Juluka tells the story of the Zulu people's resistance against the British Colonization. The word "Impi" means "war" in Zulu, and the song celebrates the bravery of the Zulu warriors who fought against the British. The song opens with a call to arms, asking who will fight against the lions (amabhubesi) coming to conquer the land. The lyrics recreate the tension and excitement of the Zulu warriors preparing for battle. The first verse describes the British army camped along a river, while the Zulu warriors are getting ready to attack. The second verse evokes the physical effort and hardship of the journey as the warriors ride through the wet season to meet their destiny. The third verse depicts the battle, where the Zulu forces, led by King Cetshwayo, overwhelmed the British army, led by Lieutenant General Frederick Thesiger. The song highlights the courage and loyalty of the Zulu warriors and their determination to defend their land against the invaders.
"Impi" was written by Johnny Clegg, the leader and founder of Juluka. Clegg was a white South African musician who became famous for blending Zulu musical traditions with Western pop and rock music. The song was released in 1981 on Juluka's debut album "Universal Men," which became a huge success and established Clegg as a major South African artist.
The song's lyrics are written in Zulu and English, reflecting Clegg's commitment to celebrating Zulu culture while promoting interracial harmony in South Africa. He formed Juluka with the Zulu musician Sipho Mchunu, and the band featured both black and white musicians, which was a rare sight in apartheid-era South Africa.
"Impi" became one of the most popular protest songs in South Africa during the 1980s, especially among the black population. The song was banned by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) because of its political message, but it continued to be played on underground radio stations and at rallies and protests.
In 1986, Clegg and Juluka performed "Impi" at the Zimbabwe Independence Day celebrations in Harare, in front of a crowd of 100,000 people. The performance was a symbolic gesture of solidarity between South African and Zimbabwean anti-apartheid activists.
The song was covered by several South African artists, including Miriam Makeba, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and Hugh Masekela. In 2010, Clegg performed "Impi" at the FIFA World Cup opening concert in Johannesburg, in front of a global audience of millions.
"Impi" remains a popular and influential song in South African music history. The song's powerful message of resistance and defiance against colonial oppression continues to resonate with many people around the world who are fighting for their rights and dignity.
Chords:
The chords for "Impi" are not available, as the song features multiple instruments and complex arrangements. However, the song's structure is based on traditional Zulu rhythms, which combine different elements such as clapping, foot stomping, and chanting. The song features a distinctive guitar riff played by Johnny Clegg, which has become one of the most recognizable motifs in South African music.
Line by Line Meaning
Impi! wo 'nans' impi iyeza
Warriors! Where are the warriors coming from?
Obani bengathinta amabhubesi?
Who among us is brave enough to defeat the lions?
All along the river
Along the riverbank
Chelmsford's army lay asleep
The British army, led by Lord Chelmsford, was sleeping
Come to crush the Children of Mageba
They came to defeat and conquer the people of Mageba
Come to exact the Realm's price for peace
They came to impose their rule and demand tribute for peace
And in the morning as they saddled up to ride
When the British army was preparing to go to battle the next morning
Their eyes shone with the fire and the steel
Their eyes brightened with determination and a lust for battle
The General told them of the task that lay ahead
The leader of the army instructed his soldiers about their mission
To bring the People of the Sky to heel
To subdue and control the native people, who were called the People of the Sky
Mud and sweat on polished leather
The soldiers were dirty and sweaty, despite their polished leather uniforms
Warm rain seeping to the bone
The rain was warm, but it still soaked through to the soldiers' bones
They rode through the season's wet weather
The army traveled through the wet weather of the season
Straining for a glimpse of the foe
The soldiers were trying to catch sight of their enemies
Hopeless battalion destined to die
A group of soldiers who had no hope of survival and were doomed to death
Broken by the Benders of Kings
Defeated by the warriors who bend the will of kings
Vainglorious General, Victorian pride
A proud and arrogant British general, full of Victorian era values
Would cost him and eight hundred men their lives
His pride would lead to the death of 800 soldiers
They came to the side of the mountain
The army arrived at the base of the mountain
Scouts rode out to spy the land
The scouts went ahead to survey the area
Even as the Realm's soldiers lay resting
Despite the fact that the British army was resting
Mageba's forces were soon at hand
The army of Mageba was approaching
And by the evening the vultures were wheeling
By evening, vultures were circling the area
Above the ruins where the fallen lay
Above the place where the dead soldiers were lying
An ancient song as old as the ashes
A traditional song that has been around as long as the ashes of the dead
Echoed as Mageba's warriors marched away
Resounded as the warriors of Mageba left the area
Lyrics © RHYTHM SAFARI PTY LTD, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Jonathan Paul Clegg
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@amyellis8335
Chorus:
Impi! wo 'nans' impi iyeza
Obani bengathinta amabhubesi?
All along the river chelmsford's army lay asleep
Come to crush the children of mageba
Come to exact the realm's price for peace
And in the morning as they saddled up to ride
Their eyes shone with the fire and the steel
The general told them of the task that lay ahead
To bring the people of the sky to heel
Chorus
Mud and sweat on polished leather
Warm rain seeping to the bone
They rode through the season's wet weather
Straining for a glimpse of the foe
Hopeless battalion destined to die
Broken by the benders of kings
Vainglorious general and victorian pride
Would cost him and eight hundred men their lives
Chorus
They came to the side of the mountain
Scouts rode out to spy the land
Even as the realm's soldiers lay resting
Mageba's forces were at hand
And by the evening the vultures were wheeling
Above the ruins where the fallen lay
An ancient song as old as the ashes
Echoed as mageba's warriors marched away
Chorus
@CaptainRecoils
Impi wo nans impi iyeza
Obanibenga thinta'amabhubesi
All along the river chelmsford's army lay asleep
Come to crush the children of mageba
Come to exact the realm's price for peace
And in the morning as they saddled up to ride
Their eyes shone with the fire and the steel
The general told them of the task that lay ahead
To bring the people of the sky to heel
Mud and sweat on polished leather
Warm rain seeping to the bone
They rode through the season's wet weather
Straining for a glimpse of the foe
Hopeless battalion destined to die
Broken by the benders of kings
Vainglorious general and victorian pride
Would cost him and eight hundred men their lives
They came to the side of the mountain
Scouts rode out to spy the land
Even as the realm's soldiers lay resting
Mageba's forces were at hand
And by the evening the vultures were wheeling
Above the ruins where the fallen lay
An ancient song as old as the ashes
Echoed as mageba's warriors marched away
@lindamasterson3469
I’d been in east London to the “final show” and came away with a strange but Burning desire,
I had something I wanted to Say to Johnny Clegg,
we were booked for the Harare concert a month or so later and I plotted and planned how to deliver my message.
Then, one morning, I was in Woolies new breakfast area in Rosebank and I spotted him.
Coming straight towards me in a green army style jacket and cap.
As he passed and turned around me to head off to my right, I grabbed his jacket elbow and said
“I’ve got something to say to you,”
surprised and embarrassed he promised to see me on his way out. Pleading time constraints
He met a man at a able in the corner, hat pulled low.
I thought, where can I get card to write my message?
I grabbed a napkin and a pen and wrote ....
Johnny Clegg
I am a better person, because of you
Millions,.. are less racist ... because of you
That’s a hell of a legacy!!!
THANK YOU
see you in Harare
I took it over to Johnny who lifted his hands in “No, not now!!!” But I reassured him and gave him the napkin. Didn’t say a word
A little later, our breakfast over, I called the waitress for my bill and was preparing to leave.
Message delivered ... I was happy.
He saw me preparing to leave and next thing he was at my side, arm around my shoulder and kissing my cheek. We chatted and he hugged me and thanked me for my message.
Thanked me for telling him what was in my heart.
Thanked me for telling him he had made a difference in my life, in who I grew into, through him and others,
Forever, Johnny
Forever. You made a huge difference for South Africa, for humanity
,
Hamba Gahle, Bro
@riggonasty1457
Let's be honest you did search for this song
@randommemes.
Absolutely….legend of a man
@Jinxffx..
❤
@Jinxffx..
Impl ❤😢 wow
@masentleramotholo9772
I did 😂love the song
@daviddonaldson3615
100%, legend of a man!
@siyamtembabomvu8199
Who is still listening to this gem :-)
@randommemes.
Oh yes!!
@user-yn4lq4mk2y
Myself
@desirehitekani3043
It's 2023 Day of The Rugby World cup in France and this is the Song For me #Mayibuye🇿🇦