Lebo Morake was born on 11 July 1964 in the Apartheid-ridden Soweto in Johannesburg, South Africa and inspired by Nelson Mandela, he spent years working hard in the South African slums but was exiled from South Africa in 1979. He made his way to the U.S. and to Los Angeles where he worked in a variety of jobs, including begging and serving at McDonald's. He returned to South Africa 5 years after the elimination of the Apartheid regime after being gone for 20 years. He lives with his family in Johannesburg and Los Angeles. He founded the Lebo M Foundation and Till Dawn Entertainment.
One By One
Lebo M Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ninga dinwa
Ninga phelelwa nga mandla
Siya ba bona
Bebe fun' ukusi qeda
One by one
One by one
Sizo nqoba
One by one
Ngeke ba lunge
One by one
Ibambeni njalo bakithi
Ninga dinwa
Ninga phelelwa nga mandla
Siya ba bona
Babe fun' ukusi qeda
One by one
Ngeke ba lunge
One by one
Sizo nqoba
One by one
Ngeke ba lunge
One by one
Sizo nqoba
Sizo nqoba
Ngoba thina
Siya zazi
Ngoba thina
Siya zazi
Sizo nqoba
Ngoba thina
Siya zazi
Ngoba thina
Siya zazi
Zobona bayabaleka
Zobon, zobona
Zobon, zobona
Zobon, zobona
Zobon
Amagwala
Ibala lami
Elimnyama
Ndiya zidla ngalo
Ibala lami
Elimnyama
Ndiza kufa nalo
Ibala lami
Elimnyama
Ndiya zidla ngalo
Kumnandi
Kwelakakith Eafrica
The lyrics of Lebo M's song "One By One" depict a call to action, with the singer urging everyone to come together and work towards a common goal. "Ibambeni njalo bakithi" translates to "hold each other tightly, my people," which highlights the importance of solidarity and unity. The phrase "ninga dinwa, ninga phelelwa nga mandla" means "don't be defeated, don't be weakened by strength," emphasizing the need to persevere and stand strong even in challenging circumstances.
As the song progresses, the chorus repeats the phrase "one by one," underscoring the idea that success is achieved through a series of small steps rather than one giant leap. The lines "sizo nqoba, ngoba thina, siya zazi" mean "we will conquer, because we know ourselves," suggesting that self-awareness and determination are essential in achieving victory.
Overall, "One By One" is a powerful anthem that celebrates the strength and resilience of the human spirit, and encourages us to keep moving forward even in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Ibambeni njalo bakithi
Hold on tight, my people
Ninga dinwa
Don't falter
Ninga phelelwa nga mandla
Don't be weakened by might
Siya ba bona
We are watching them
Bebe fun' ukusi qeda
They thought we would fail
One by one
Individually
Ngeke ba lunge
They will not defeat us
Sizo nqoba
We will conquer
One by one
Individually
Ibala lami
My color
Elimnyama
Blackness
Ndiya zidla ngalo
I will feed on that
Ndiza kufa nalo
I am willing to die for it
Kumnandi
It's good
Kwelakakith Eafrica
In the land of Africa
Zobona bayabaleka
See them running away
Zobon, zobona
Look, see
Amagwala
Cowards
Sizo nqoba
We will conquer
Ngoba thina
For us
Siya zazi
We know ourselves
Sizo nqoba
We will conquer
Ngoba thina
For us
Siya zazi
We know ourselves
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JONATHAN MORALI, REMI ANDRE JEAN ALEXANDRE, CLEMENT CARLE, JEAN-YVES PIERRE LOZAC'H, OLIVIER NICOLAS ERIC MARGUERIT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Coon Dog
Lyrics + Translation:
-> Note: These are the official lyrics, they don't apply fully here, but maybe it helps to understand something.
If someone has a better version for this video, just reply here.
Ibabeni njalo bakithi [Hold on tight, my people]
Ninga dinwa [Don't get weary]
Ninga phelelwa nga mandla [Don't lose your strength]
Siya ba bona [We can see]
Bebe fun' ukusi xeda [They wanted to hold us back]
One by one
Ngeke ba lunge [They will not succeed]
One by one
Sizo nqoba [We will win]
One by one
Ngeke ba lunge [They will not succeed]
One by one
(Repeat)
Sizo nqoba [We will win]
Ngoba thina [Because]
Siya zazi [We know who we are]
Ngoba thina [Because]
Siya zazi [We know who we are]
(Repeat)
Zobona bayabaleka [Come and see]
Zobon, zobona [The cowards are running away]
Zobon, zobona
Zobon, zobona
Zobon
Amagwala
Ibala lami [The color of my skin]
Elimnyama [That is dark]
Ndiya zidla ngalo [I'm proud of it]
Ibala lami [The color of my skin]
Elimnyama [That is dark]
Ndiza kufa nalo [I will die with it]
Ibala lami [The color of my skin]
Elimnyama [That is dark]
Ndiya zidla ngalo [I'm proud of it]
Kumnandi [Oh yes]
Kwelakakith Eafrica [It's beautiful in Africa]
Kapeetano
[Verse: Ensemble]
Ibabeni njalo bakithi
Ninga dinwa
Ninga phelelwa nga mandla
Siya ba bona
Bebe fun' ukusi xeda
One by one
Ngeke ba lunge
One by one
Sizo nqoba
One by one
Ngeke ba lunge
One by one
Ibabeni njalo bakithi
Ninga dinwa
Ninga phelelwa nga mandla
Siya ba bona
Bebe fun' ukusi xeda
One by one
Ngeke ba lunge
One by one
Sizo nqoba
One by one
Ngeke ba lunge
One by one
Sizo nqoba
Ngoba thina
Siya zazi
Ngoba thina
Siya zazi
Sizo nqoba
Ngoba thina
Siya zazi
Ngoba thina
Siya zazi
Zobona bayabaleka
Zobona
Zobona
Zobona
Zobon
Amagwala
Ibala lami
Elimnyama
Ndiya zidla ngalo
Ibala lami
Elimnyama
Ndiza kufa nalo
Ibala lami
Elimnyama
Ndiza kufa nalo
Ha-yee
Ha
Kumnandi
Bakithi bo
Kumnandi
Kwelakakith Eafrica
Sigrid Hammond
When they sing this in the Lion King in Broadway to open the 2nd act the entire cast is around in the audience and balconies in traditional dress waving flags and banners and it is SO powerful and joyous, had no idea this animation and recording existed. 😭
Kai Umeda
Those “flags” are meant to resemble birds
Emily Glass
I saw that show and this song with the puppetry and having the cast members among the audience...it was just so powerful! Lebo M's vocals are really awesome, especially in this short.
Charles Raass
This deserves to be so much bigger then it is! Doesn’t get the credit it deserves! It’s literally a forgotten gem😭💯✨ This is what it sounds like walking into the gates of Heaven💫
Luke Grant
Charles Raass - YES 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯. I love this song
Damion Locke
I remember watching this when I was in my very early teens, and it made me cry. I watched and admired the television and my ears nearly exploded with such an array of fantastic melody, it literally drew me to tears. Not only because it is absolutely stunning and artistic in every way, shape or form. Not because of it's remarkable beauty in it's simplicity. But because of the message that many miss in it. Those children have nothing...they grow up on nothing, they live on nothing. The one time they have a chance to have an unbelievable amount of fun and joy in the simplest event such as kite flying, and they still have the dignity to let their kites go. To give freedom to something that had given them so much happiness. I look around me today as I am nearing twenty three years old, and I'm ashamed of my generation. So much greed and disrespect. I wish we could give the things we dont appreciate to those who would, and learn to respect and appreciate the things we never needed in the first place.
Steven Mooney
So beautifully expressed Damion, I too feel the emotion and elation over this simple act. It touches a chord in all us that tap into it and resonates with joy as we too run with these children to the top of that hill and escape for a moment all the ugliness in this world!
Tony Robinson
Damion Locke And the movie being that mature gives a new light to appreciation. I rediscovered the video after seeing it years ago and I STILL shed a tear or two at the end. You are on point...to resemble the shanties of Swaziland and Desotho, to make something from nothing, to work together for the success of it and to let it go to shared with the world...something of extraordinary from their little village...I AM EMOTIONAL because of what I see in my daily life doesn't represent giving. If it starts with me, it should change.
Mistfall
Damion Locke I wish you could help the body of Christ recognize this and rehome things that just sit idle.
Kristine Schinella
Damion Locke i