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.
Siyayilanda
Juluka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Siyayibamba siyayilanda!
Ngithi bamba! Siyayilanda!
Fetch it! Siyayilanda!
Bamba! Siyayilanda!
Siyayibamba siyayilanda!
Ngithi bamba! Siyayilanda!
Bamba! Siyayilanda!
Siyayibamba siyayilanda!
Ngithi bamba! Siyayilanda!
Fetch it! Siyayilanda!
Bamba! Siyayilanda!
Siyayibamba siyayilanda!
Ngithi bamba! Siyayilanda!
Fetch it! Siyayilanda!
Human figures in a dream
Heard them singing "Siyayilanda!"
You've got to get up, carry on
Sing this song "Siyayilanda!"
There's a mean machine -- tear the bone clean
I'll tell you where I've been "Siyayilanda!"
Eat! Sleep! On your feet!
You're going to speak! "Siyayilanda!"
Bamba! Siyayilanda!
Siyayibamba siyayilanda!
Ngithi bamba! Siyayilanda!
Fetch it! Siyayilanda!
Bamba! Siyayilanda!
Siyayibamba siyayilanda!
Ngithi bamba! Siyayilanda!
Fetch it! Siyayilanda!
Falling star in the night
Comfort the weeper "Siyayilanda!"
Turn to the Left, turn to the Right
Losers, keepers "Siyayilanda!"
Hold me close, I'm trapped in
A night of seasons "Siyayilanda!"
New sun rising up ahead
Coming your way "Siyayilanda!"
Bamba! Siyayilanda!
Siyayibamba siyayilanda!
Ngithi bamba! Siyayilanda!
Fetch it! Siyayilanda!
Bamba! Siyayilanda!
Siyayibamba siyayilanda!
Ngithi bamba! Siyayilanda!
Fetch it! Siyayilanda!
Bamba! Siyayilanda!
Siyayibamba siyayilanda!
Ngith ibamba! Siyayilanda!
Fetch it! Siyayilanda!
Siyayilanda!
Siyayilanda!
Siyayilanda!
Human figures in a dream
Heard them singing "Siyayilanda!"
You've got to get up, carry on
Sing this song "Siyayilanda!"
Bamba! Siyayilanda!
Siyayibamba siyayilanda!
Ngithi bamba! Siyayilanda!
Fetch it! Siyayilanda!
Bamba! Siyayilanda!
Siyayibamba siyayilanda!
Ngithi bamba! Siyayilanda!
Fetch it! Siyayilanda!
Bamba! Siyayilanda!
Siyayibamba siyayilanda!
Ngithi bamba! Siyayilanda!
Fetch it! Siyayilanda!
Bamba! Siyayilanda!
Siyayibamba siyayilanda!
Ngithi bamba! Siyayilanda!
Fetch it! Siyayilanda!
The song Siyayilanda by Juluka is a vibrant and energetic tune that is filled with powerful lyrics. The opening lines of the song, “Bamba! Siyayilanda! Siyayibamba siyayilanda!” are sung repetitively, creating an atmosphere of celebration and excitement. The song tells a story of human figures in a dream who are inspired by the singing of “Siyayilanda” and are urged to get up and sing along to the song. They are told to keep moving and to persist even when the going gets tough. The lines “You’ve got to get up, carry on, sing this song ‘Siyayilanda!’” encourage the listener to keep pushing forward and not give up, even when things seem hard.
The song continues on to speak about the turbulence of life and the moments that hold us back. The lyrics call for unity, love, and support in times of hardship, offering solace to those who feel lost or helpless. As the song progresses, the lyrics become more uplifting, speaking of new beginnings, hope, and the promise of a brighter future. The lyrics, “New sun rising up ahead, coming your way ‘Siyayilanda!’” offer a message of hope to those who are struggling or feeling lost.
Overall, the song Siyayilanda is an inspiring and motivating tune that encourages the listener to stay positive, keep moving forward, and to never give up hope.
Line by Line Meaning
Bamba! Siyayilanda!
Fetch it! Siyayilanda!
Siyayibamba siyayilanda!
We will fetch it and Sing 'Siyayilanda'
Ngithi bamba! Siyayilanda!
I say fetch it! Siyayilanda!
Fetch it! Siyayilanda!
Get it! Siyayilanda!
Human figures in a dream
People in a dream
Heard them singing 'Siyayilanda!'
Heard them singing 'Fetch it, Siyayilanda!'
You've got to get up, carry on
You have to get up and continue
Sing this song 'Siyayilanda!'
Sing this song 'Fetch it, Siyayilanda!'
There's a mean machine -- tear the bone clean
There is a cruel machine that tears bones apart
I'll tell you where I've been 'Siyayilanda!'
I will tell you where I have been, 'Fetch it, Siyayilanda!'
Eat! Sleep! On your feet!
Eat, sleep but stay on your feet
You're going to speak! 'Siyayilanda!'
You are going to say, 'Fetch it, Siyayilanda!'
Falling star in the night
A shooting star in the night sky
Comfort the weeper 'Siyayilanda!'
Comfort the crying one, 'Fetch it, Siyayilanda!'
Turn to the Left, turn to the Right
Turn to the left, turn to the right
Losers, keepers 'Siyayilanda!'
Losers, keep going, 'Fetch it, Siyayilanda!'
Hold me close, I'm trapped in
Hold me tight, I am trapped in
A night of seasons 'Siyayilanda!'
A night of changing seasons, 'Fetch it, Siyayilanda!'
New sun rising up ahead
A new sun is rising in the future
Coming your way 'Siyayilanda!'
It's coming your way, 'Fetch it, Siyayilanda!'
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jasonadams5727
I remember how we were rocking to this in the 80's !!!! Even though I was born in 1998 😅😅
@moussaelijahmosesndiaye
In 1987 Johnny Clegg was on stage in Dakar performing wth Juluka I saw him for the first time even I heard his music before
@betshodinonyane9467
Long live Johnny Clegg 🤧
@tracybrett3531
Absolutely love the original studio version of this song!
@susanlarhubarbe9475
Tracy Brett but have you seen the live performances of it: breathtaking energy at a slightly faster tempo 😍?
@sallymalebana4876
fetch it!! love this song
@SantiagoGonzalez-sl5lj
Listening to this song makes me think that the person who wrote the music for Jazz Jackrabbit was a big fan of Johnny Clegg