Homeless
Ladysmith Black Mambazo Lyrics

Emaweni webaba Silale maweni Webaba silale maweni Webaba silale maweni Webaba silale maweni Webaba silale maweni Webaba silale maweni Webaba silale maweni Webaba silale maweni Webaba silale maweni Webaba silale maweni
The song begins with a series of repetitions in Zulu, essentially singing about sleeping under a tree (or trees) as the sun goes down.

Homeless, homeless Moonlight sleeping on a midnight lake Homeless, homeless Moonlight sleeping on a midnight lake We are homeless, we are homeless The moonlight sleeping on a midnight lake And we are homeless, homeless, homeless The moonlight sleeping on a midnight lake
The song is about being stranded, alone outside at night, with nowhere to go and no one to rely on for help. The only solace is the moonlight reflected on a lake nearby.

Zio yami, zio yami, nhliziyo yami Nhliziyo yami amakhaza asengi bulele Nhliziyo yami, nhliziyo yami Nhliziyo yami, angibulele amakhaza Nhliziyo yami, nhliziyo yami Nhliziyo yami somandla angibulele mama Zio yami, nhliziyo yami Nhliziyo yami, nhliziyo yami
The singer implores his or her own heart (or soul) for strength and comfort, acknowledging the internal wounds and asking for protection from them.

Too loo loo, too loo loo Too loo loo loo loo loo loo loo loo loo Too loo loo, too loo loo Too loo loo loo loo loo loo loo loo loo
This nonsensical refrain repeats throughout the song, offering a rhythmic backdrop to its powerful lyrics.

Strong wind destroy our home Many dead, tonight it could be you Strong wind, strong wind Many dead, tonight it could be you
The singer laments that a strong wind has destroyed their home and lives, and warns that such destruction could happen to anyone in the night.

Somebody say ih hih ih hih ih Somebody sing hello, hello, hello Somebody say ih hih ih hih ih Somebody cry why, why, why? Somebody say ih hih ih hih ih Somebody sing hello, hello, hello Somebody say ih hih ih hih ih Somebody cry why, why, why? Somebody say ih hih ih hih ih
The song continues with more nonsensical vocalizations and cries, whose meaning is not entirely clear but which suggest a sense of confusion, desperation, and chaos.

Yitho omanqoba (ih hih ih hih ih) yitho omanqoba Esanqoba lonke ilizwe (ih hih ih hih ih) Yitho omanqoba (ih hih ih hih ih) Esanqoba phakathi e England Yitho omanqoba Esanqoba phakathi e London Yitho omanqoba Esanqoba phakathi e England - ih hih ih hih ih
The last verses shift the mood to that of victory, as the singer declares that triumph (esp. over oppression) has come and will continue to come, with London and England serving as examples. Yet the nonsense vocals still suggest there is much to be done and many questions to ask.

Kuluman Kulumani, Kulumani sizwe Singenze njani Baya jabula abasi thanda yo Ho
The song ends with more repetitions and vocalizations, this time framing the calls for unity, peace, and happiness, especially for those who are unloved or abandoned.