It has been years since Paul Simon made his initial trip to South Africa and met Joseph Shabalala, and the other members of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, in a recording studio in Johannesburg. Having listened to a cassette of their music sent by a DJ based in Los Angeles, Simon was captivated by the stirring sound of bass, alto and tenor harmonies. Simon incorporated the traditional sounds of black South Africa into the Graceland album, a project regarded by many as seminal to today's explosive interest in World music
'60s Africa found the Zulu and Sotho beginning to incorporate the influences of African American R&B, jazz, and blues into their traditional, indigenous music. New styles such as township jazz, pennywhistle street music, Kwela, and marabi were formed. Eventually, these myriad styles coalesced to create a new hybrid pop music that came to be known as mbaqanga. Though mbaqanga employs the traditional instrumentation of Western pop (guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, and vocals), the approach to song structure and rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic phrasing is uniquely African.
Recorded between 1981 and 1984, THE INDESTRUCTIBLE BEAT OF SOWETO is the first (and arguably the best) of a slew of South African pop recordings that soon followed. Characterized by insistent, rhythmically complex beats, elastic, burbling basslines, tight, ska-sounding guitar accompaniment, and thick, multi-part vocals, this music is as intriguing as it is appealing. Groups with such names as Udokotela Shange Namajaha and Amaswazi Emvelo serve up bright, infectious melodies and percussively insistent tracks that are clearly intended for dancing.
Inkanyezi Nezazi
Ladysmith Black Mambazo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kumemeza abantu abadala kangaka
Webantwana kanisalaleni ngani
Umbiko wokuzalwa kenkosi uJesu
Nansoke inkanyezi enhle kunazozonke
Eyalandelwa isiswe zivela empumalanga
Baba baba wami; baba (hmm) Bhinc' (hmm) ibeshu lakho
Inkosi Yamakhosi
Mama mama wami; Mama, bhinci, sidwaba sakho
Vunula uphelele sisho ngamphimbo linye sithi izelwe inkoi yamakhosi
Yinhle kunazozonke, masiyilandeleni khona sizophumelela
(Unqinisile umprofethi... lenkanyezi)
Saqala Sabezwa besho saze sabona nathi embhalweni
Sabe, sesiyakholwa, yilolo esikufundayo lithini ibhabeli
(uJesu uyinkosi)
Amen Halleluya Amen
The lyrics of Ladysmith Black Mambazo's song Inkanyezi Nezazi convey a message of deep spirituality and faith. The song includes references to prophets of old, the birth of Jesus, and the power of God to guide us through the darkness of life. The opening lines speak of the prophets of old who called out to the people, telling them to stay true to their faith and not to falter. The repetition of the phrase "kumemeza abantu abadala kangaka" emphasizes the importance of this message.
The song then turns to the birth of Jesus, describing it as a bright star that shines over everything. This star is a symbol of hope and guidance, leading people from the east to Bethlehem to witness the birth of the savior. The lyrics describe this star as "eniswe zivela empumalanga," meaning "rising from the east." This image is powerful and hopeful, representing a new dawn and a new beginning.
The final lines of the song call on God to guide us through life's challenges, to help us overcome obstacles and reach our goals. The repetition of "amen halleluya amen" at the end of the song is a nod to the power of prayer and the importance of faith. This song is truly a testament to the power of spirituality to uplift and inspire people.
Line by Line Meaning
Kuye kwamemeza baprofethi emandulo
The prophets of old used to cry out there
Kumemeza abantu abadala kangaka
Calling out to the people of olden times
Webantwana kanisalaleni ngani
Why are the children crying?
Umbiko wokuzalwa kenkosi uJesu
The story of the birth of King Jesus
Nansoke inkanyezi enhle kunazozonke
And there appears a beautiful star everywhere
Eyalandelwa isiswe zivela empumalanga
Guiding the wise men from the East
Baba baba wami; baba (hmm) Bhinc' (hmm) ibeshu lakho
My father, my father, oh father (hmm), unyana wethu (hmm), your loincloth
Simemeza ngazwi linyi (hmm) Sithi (hmm) Izelwe (hmm)
We sing with one voice (hmm) Saying (hmm): “Born is…” (hmm)
Inkosi Yamakhosi
The King above all Kings
Mama mama wami; Mama, bhinci, sidwaba sakho
My mother, my mother; Mother, beaded necklaces, your dance
Vunula uphelele sisho ngamphimbo linye sithi izelwe inkoi yamakhosi
Open the gates for Him to pass through; and as we sing, “Born is the King of Kings”
Yinhle kunazozonke, masiyilandeleni khona sizophumelela
He is beautiful everywhere, let us follow Him so we can succeed
(Unqinisile umprofethi... lenkanyezi)
(The prophet is certain… the star)
Saqala Sabezwa besho saze sabona nathi embhalweni
It began and was heard, they sought and found us in the manger
Sabe, sesiyakholwa, yilolo esikufundayo lithini ibhabeli
They saw us and they believed that this is what they have been learning about in the Bible
(uJesu uyinkosi)
(Jesus is King)
Amen Halleluya Amen
Amen Hallelujah Amen
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOSEPH SHABALALA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jeferson3815
Foi chamado pelos profetas no passado
Kuye kwamemeza baprofethi emandulo
Tantos velhos estão gritando
Kumemeza abantu abadala kangaka
Por que as crianças estão dormindo?
Webantwana kanisalaleni ngani
O relato do nascimento do Rei Jesus
Umbiko wokuzalwa kenkosi uJesu
Você é sempre a estrela mais bonita
Nansoke inkanyezi enhle kunazozonke
Foi seguido por pessoas do leste
Eyalandelwa isiswe zivela empumalanga
O pai do meu pai;
Baba baba wami;
baba (hmm) Bhinc' (hmm) seu ônibus
baba (hmm) Bhinc' (hmm) ibeshu lakho
Gritamos a uma só voz (hmm) Dizemos (hmm) Nasceu (hmm)
Simemeza ngazwi linyi (hmm) Sithi (hmm) Izelwe (hmm)
Rei dos Reis
Inkosi Yamakhosi
A mãe da minha mãe;
Mama mama wami;
Mãe, querida, a culpa é sua
Mama, bhinci, sidwaba sakho
Vista-se e digamos a uma só voz que ele nasceu na casa do rei
Vunula uphelele sisho ngamphimbo linye sithi izelwe inkoi yamakhosi
É o melhor de tudo, vamos segui-lo e vamos conseguir
Yinhle kunazozonke, masiyilandeleni khona sizophumelela
(O profeta está certo... esta estrela)
(Unqinisile umprofethi... lenkanyezi)
Começamos Ouvimos eles dizerem e vimos no texto
Saqala Sabezwa besho saze sabona nathi embhalweni
Então, cremos, é aquele que lemos o que a Bíblia diz
Sabe, sesiyakholwa, yilolo esikufundayo lithini ibhabeli
(Jesus é rei)
(uJesu uyinkosi)
Amém Aleluia Amém
Amen Halleluya Amen
@invinciblevettel5
Lyrics & translation:
Kuye kwamemeza baprofethi emandulo (The prophets prophesied long ago)
Kumemeza abantu abadala kangaka (The elders are calling)
Webantwana kanisalaleni ngani (Children, listen and learn)
Umbiko wokuzalwa kenkosi uJesu (Their message is on the birth of Jesus)
Nansoke inkanyezi (The wise men)
enhle kunazozonke (Followed this star)
Eyalandelwa isiswe (That appeared)
Zivela empumalanga (in the East)
Baba/Mama, baba/mama wami; (Father/Mother, My Father/Mother)
Mama/Baba (hmm) Bhinc'(hmm) ibeshu lakho (Father/Mother, Your apron)
Simemeza ngazwi linyi (hmm) (We declare that which we know)
Sithi (hmm) Izelwe (hmm) (The word says that He is)
Inkosi Yamakhosi (The King of Kings)
(Repeat)
Uquinsile umprofethi (The truth spoken by the prophets)
Yinhle kunazozonke (To the whole world)
Masiyindandeleni (Of that star)
Khona sizophumela (That we should follow)
(Repeat)
Saqala Sabezwa besho (He first heard them tell us) x2
saze sabona nathi embhalweni (then we saw the writings)
{Sabe, sesiyakholwa, (Then we believed)
yilolo esikufundayo lithini ibhabeli} x? (What we read in scriptures)
(Repeat)
Amen Halleluya Amen
@invinciblevettel5
Lyrics & translation:
Kuye kwamemeza baprofethi emandulo (The prophets prophesied long ago)
Kumemeza abantu abadala kangaka (The elders are calling)
Webantwana kanisalaleni ngani (Children, listen and learn)
Umbiko wokuzalwa kenkosi uJesu (Their message is on the birth of Jesus)
Nansoke inkanyezi (The wise men)
enhle kunazozonke (Followed this star)
Eyalandelwa isiswe (That appeared)
Zivela empumalanga (in the East)
Baba/Mama, baba/mama wami; (Father/Mother, My Father/Mother)
Mama/Baba (hmm) Bhinc'(hmm) ibeshu lakho (Father/Mother, Your apron)
Simemeza ngazwi linyi (hmm) (We declare that which we know)
Sithi (hmm) Izelwe (hmm) (The word says that He is)
Inkosi Yamakhosi (The King of Kings)
(Repeat)
Uquinsile umprofethi (The truth spoken by the prophets)
Yinhle kunazozonke (To the whole world)
Masiyindandeleni (Of that star)
Khona sizophumela (That we should follow)
(Repeat)
Saqala Sabezwa besho (He first heard them tell us) x2
saze sabona nathi embhalweni (then we saw the writings)
{Sabe, sesiyakholwa, (Then we believed)
yilolo esikufundayo lithini ibhabeli} x? (What we read in scriptures)
(Repeat)
Amen Halleluya Amen
@marshallking3853
I'm here because of this man I've come to accord so much respect for Mr. Vusamazulu Credo Mutwa. Thank you Sir.
@elevatedgame3016
Same here brother found this beautiful music through his video with David Icke
@elevatedgame3016
Credo Mutwa & David Icke video brought me here, thank you for the knowledge may you rest well Credo Mutwa 💫🙏. this is beautiful even thou I don't understand what being said , it feels like another life I have lived calls me to remember where I been it feels like home and my ancestors call for me . From a brother from the pacific island. ⚔️🛡. The age of awakening is here rise and rise again until lambs become lion's!
@lightSleeper11
This always brings a tear to my eye, I cant explain it but it hits me deep for some reason.
@jeferson3815
Essa canção está louvando ao Rei dos reais , o Senhor Jesus Cristo.
Louvado seja Jesus
@phillipphillippson8456
Now That’s What I Call Music! 42 and The Heinz advert bought me here :)
@dorcasarthur1574
I don't understand a word but this song is really sending shivers down my spine💖💖💖💖💖💖🇬🇭
@mmkhize4128
Inkanyezi nezazi means "the star and the wisemen". The song is talking about the birth of Jesus. Nativity scene in song.
@80schick1967
I had this played at my wedding and also my husband's funeral. We saw LBM live and he turned to me and said "I want this played at my funeral". I replied "So do I". Sadly he died first and too early and I respected his wish. It was played as the pallbearers brought in the coffin.
@tonyweston485
My sincere condolences to you and your family, LBM were amazing. I love there harmonies and feelings. And this is a beautiful harmony, your husband would be pleased with this. Peace to you