Juluka was a South African music band formed in 1969 by Johnny Clegg and Si… Read Full Bio ↴Juluka was a South African music band formed in 1969 by Johnny Clegg and Sipho Mchunu. Juluka means "sweat" in Zulu, and was the name of a bull owned by Mchunu. The band was closely associated with the mass movement against apartheid.

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.

Two Humans On The Run
Juluka Lyrics

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Ngikhanyisele wedlozi lami
Two humans on the run
(repeat)
The autumn leaves have trooped their colours
Rumours of the battle to come
Intelligence says you have departed
But my heart cannot give up it's love
I'm living through a war in peace time

Dying to get through to you
Baba noma...
Living through a war in peace time
To get through to you
On your face, love, days and sorrow
So long we struggled on
Baba noma...
The heart is a shattered province
Pockets of love still hold out in the ruins
Old memories sent me reinforcements
But they were ambushed on high ground
I'm living through a war in peace time
Dying to get through to you
Baba noma...
Living through a war in peace time
To get through to you
Why do you fight like this with me now
You fill the days with such sad sounds
Baba noma...
Ngikhanyisele wedlozi lami
Two humans on the run
(repeat)

I'm living through a war in peace time
(repeat)

Overall Meaning

The song "Two Humans on the Run" by Juluka tells the story of two lovers who are on the run, trying to escape from something. The lyrics are filled with metaphorical language and symbolism that make it difficult to pinpoint the exact meaning of the song. The first line, "Ngikhanyisele wedlozi lami," which translates to "Illuminate my spirit guide," sets the tone for the rest of the song.

As the song progresses, we learn more about the situation at hand. The autumn leaves are falling and rumors of a battle are in the air. Intelligence reports suggest that the two lovers have fled, but the singer's heart cannot give up its love. The heart is described as a "shattered province," but pockets of love still remain.

Throughout the song, we get the sense that the two lovers are being pursued, perhaps by a government or authority figure. The singer is living through a war in peacetime, struggling to get through to their partner. Despite the challenges, they continue to fight for their love.

Overall, "Two Humans on the Run" is a powerful song about love and survival in the face of adversity. The lyrics are open to interpretation, but the song's message of perseverance in the face of obstacles is clear.

Line by Line Meaning

Ngikhanyisele wedlozi lami
I pray to my ancestors

Two humans on the run
Two people running away

(repeat)
Repeating previous line

The autumn leaves have trooped their colours
The trees have changed color for fall

Rumours of the battle to come
Hearing about an upcoming battle

Intelligence says you have departed
Information suggests you have left

But my heart cannot give up it's love
I still love you

I'm living through a war in peace time
I feel like I'm in a war even though it's peaceful

Dying to get through to you
Desperately want to reach you

Baba noma...
Repeating previous line

On your face, love, days and sorrow
See pain and sadness in your face