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.
The Lion Sleeps Tonight
Lebo M Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
Near the village, the peaceful village
Near the village, the quiet village
The lion sleeps tonight
But we'll sing it when we say, oh yeah
Let us play
Now hear me
Hush my darling, don't fear my darling
The lion sleeps tonight
Hush my darling, don't fear my darling
The lion sleeps tonight, hey, whoa
Ooh, yeah, the lion sleeps tonight
Say the lion sleeps tonight
Say the lion, say the lion, say the lion sleeps tonight
Say the lion, say the lion, say the lion, oh yeah
Sleeps tonight
The Lion Sleeps Tonight by Lebo M is an all-time classic that has captivated listeners for generations. The lyrics of the song talk about the peaceful coexistence between man and animal in the African jungle. The song begins with the family being allowed to say something significant. This signifies that the family is important in African culture, and their words are respected. The next verse talks about the mighty jungle where the lion sleeps, signifying that nature is powerful, and even the king of the jungle needs to rest. The next verse moves to the village, where the lion sleeps peacefully, indicating that humans and animals can coexist peacefully if they respect each other's boundaries.
The chorus repeats the phrase "the lion sleeps tonight" to reinforce the idea that even the fiercest animals need rest and that everyone deserves peace. The next verse encourages the listeners to sing along and play, reinforcing the idea of community and joy. The final verse aims to soothe and reassure with the words hush and don't fear, reminding us that despite our fears, we can find comfort in the present moment. Overall, the lyrics of The Lion Sleeps Tonight articulate the beauty of nature, the importance of community and respect, and the need for peaceful coexistence between all beings.
Line by Line Meaning
They let the family say
The family of animals may speak out and express themselves.
In the jungle, the mighty jungle
Deep in the heart of the jungle where the wild animals live.
The lion sleeps tonight
The lion is resting and peaceful.
Near the village, the peaceful village
The village nearby is calm and tranquil.
The lion sleeps tonight
The lion is resting and peaceful.
But we'll sing it when we say, oh yeah
Regardless of what anyone else thinks, we will always sing the song proudly.
Let us play
Let us have fun and enjoy ourselves.
Now hear me
Listen to me carefully.
Hush my darling, don't fear my darling
Don't be afraid, my dear.
The lion sleeps tonight
The lion is resting and peaceful.
Hush my darling, don't fear my darling
Don't be afraid, my dear.
The lion sleeps tonight, hey, whoa
The lion is sleeping soundly and peacefully.
Ooh, yeah, the lion sleeps tonight
Oh yes, indeed, the lion is resting and peaceful.
Say the lion sleeps tonight
Repeat after me, the lion is resting peacefully tonight.
Say the lion, say the lion, say the lion sleeps tonight
Repeat after me, the lion is sleeping soundly and peacefully.
Say the lion, say the lion, say the lion, oh yeah
Repeat after me, the lion is resting and peaceful.
Sleeps tonight
The lion is currently getting some much needed sleep.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: George David Weiss, Hugo E Peretti, Luigi Creatore, Solomon Linda
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind