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.
Work For All
Juluka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While Papa's earning the pittance he calls his pay
You've got to get up so early in the morning
To keep your job, let alone find one these days
Hear them sing in the streets now
Hear the sound of marching feet now
Sifun'umsebenzi -- work for all -- we need to work to be
Sifun'umsebenzi -- work for all -- there's a jobless army in the streets
Sifun'umsebenzi -- work for all -- in a wage, a hidden war
Sifun'umsebenzi -- funumsebenzi
Papa sits alone in the kitchen
Thirty years a mining man
He still has to fight for the right to work
Whether times are good or bad
Hear them sing in the streets now
Hear the sound of marching feet now
Chorus
Sifun'umsebenzi -- wo thina sifun'umsebenzi
We need work for all
Hum o hum
Chorus
Sifun'umsebenzi -- work for all --
We need to work to be
Sifun'umsebenzi -- work for all --
So many mouths at home to feed
Sifun'umsebenzi -- work for all --
In a wage a hidden war
Sifun'umsebenzi -- work for all --
Oh a jobless army at my door
Sifun'umsebenzi -- funumsebenzi
Wo thina sifun'umsebenzi
We need work for all
We want work for all
We need work to be
Give us work for all--
Give us work to be
The lyrics to Juluka’s song “Work For All” highlight the struggles of the working class, particularly those who struggle to make ends meet despite working tirelessly. The song suggests that work ought to be available to all those seeking it but, in reality, this is not always the case. The opening lines, “Keep the home fires burning / While Papa’s earning the pittance he calls his pay,” serve as a metaphor for the fact that many individuals work long hours, for little money, just to make ends meet. The line “hear them sing in the streets now / Hear the sound of marching feet now” suggests the rising levels of frustration amongst the lower and working classes.
The chorus of the song is powerful, demanding, and energizing: “Sifun’umsebenzi” which means, “we want jobs.” Here, the song speaks directly to the alienation of the members of society who lack supportive support systems or a functioning government. This anthem of defiance calls for greater opportunities for all individuals, with lyrics like “In a wage, a hidden war / So many mouths at home to feed / Oh a jobless army at my door / We need work for all.” Ultimately, “Work For All” is a cry for equality, justice, and change, a song that celebrates the strength and perseverance of the working class.
Line by Line Meaning
Keep the home fires burning
Maintain the household and family while the father is struggling to earn a meager wage.
While Papa's earning the pittance he calls his pay
Despite the father's 30 years of mining work, he is still paid very little and struggles to make ends meet.
You've got to get up so early in the morning / To keep your job, let alone find one these days
Finding a job is difficult and employees must work hard just to keep them, let alone find one in the first place.
Hear them sing in the streets now / Hear the sound of marching feet now
People are protesting and demonstrating for jobs on the streets.
Sifun'umsebenzi -- work for all -- we need to work to be
The people demand jobs for everyone and recognize the importance of work for survival.
Sifun'umsebenzi -- work for all -- there's a jobless army in the streets
There are many unemployed individuals who have become desperate and are demanding jobs in the streets.
Sifun'umsebenzi -- work for all -- in a wage, a hidden war
There is a struggle for fair wages and compensation that is not openly acknowledged.
Papa sits alone in the kitchen / Thirty years a mining man / He still has to fight for the right to work / Whether times are good or bad
Even with years of experience in mining, the father still struggles to fight for the right to work, regardless of economic conditions.
Sifun'umsebenzi -- wo thina sifun'umsebenzi / We need work for all
The people demand jobs for everyone in order for the community to survive.
So many mouths at home to feed
The pressure to provide for family and dependents is high.
Oh a jobless army at my door / Give us work for all-- / Give us work to be
The unemployed are desperate for jobs and are pleading for opportunities to work and earn a living.
Contributed by Emma P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Peggy Kozak
Johnny Clegg is one of those truly immortal souls. His music and message will reverberate throughout the ages. He should have lived forever in this world nonetheless, unfazed by the inevitable demise that affects the rest of us mere mortals. We need people like him now more than ever.
Alexander B.
great song! we miss you Johnny!
Justin Kasse
A universal sentiment ... 'we need work to be'
Réjane Denizot
J'Adore tout simplement...........
thesandsie13the2nd
ngiyakuthananda johnny ngizokukhombula. sleep well umfowethu until we meet again
Carlton Baker II
Poignant even now.
Event Trading
I fucking love it
Gavin Smiley
I wish this song didn’t apply anymore. At least we still have the song.
Kevin Cameron
awesome
brian kandiye
great work johnny,african leaders wreck economies due to greed instead of creating jobs for all