Letta Mbulu (Soweto, 23 August 1942) is a South African jazz singer born an… Read Full Bio ↴Letta Mbulu (Soweto, 23 August 1942) is a South African jazz singer born and raised in Soweto, South Africa. She has been active since the 1960s, but left South Africa due to Apartheid in 1965 and moved to the United States. There she worked with Cannonball Adderley and Harry Belafonte. Her singing can also be heard in Roots (TV miniseries), The Color Purple, and she was a guest on a Season 6 episode of Soul Train.

Reach Out And Touch
Letta Mbulu Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Before we say good night
I would like to leave these words to everybody
Singabantwana bembeleko emnyama
Ende uThixo wathatha ixesha lakhe ukusakha
Singaphumi la singayiboni lonto
So lets love one another
Always always always always

We’ve got to learn to love
Oh together we’ve got to learn

(We’ve got to learn to love life)
(Together we’ve got to learn)
(We’ve got to learn to love life)
(Together we’ve got to learn)

(We’ve got to learn to love life)
(Together we’ve got to learn)
(We’ve got to learn to love life)
(Together we’ve got to learn)

(We’ve got to learn to love life)
(Together we’ve got to learn)

(Reach out and touch somebody’s hand)
(Make this world a better place I know you can)
(Reach out and touch somebody’s hand)
(Make this world a better place I know you can)

(Reach out and touch somebody’s hand)
(Make this world a better place I know you can)
(Reach out and touch somebody’s hand)
(Make this world a better place I know you can)

(I know you can)

(You can)
(I know you can)

Overall Meaning

The song "Reach Out and Touch" by Letta Mbulu and Caiphus Semenya is a call for unity and love among people. It begins with a message in the African language Xhosa, which translates to "We the Black children of our mothers, God took his time in creating us and we are what we are." This is a statement of pride in one's heritage and a reminder that all people are created equal and deserve love and respect.

The song then emphasizes the need for learning to love one another. The repetition of "We’ve got to learn to love" emphasizes the fact that love is not always innate and easy for people, but it is something that must be actively learned and practiced. The call for unity and love is then reiterated in the chorus with the lyrics "Reach out and touch somebody’s hand, make this world a better place, I know you can." The repeated use of "I know you can" is a hopeful reminder that everyone has the power to spread love and make a positive impact on the world, no matter how small their actions may seem.

Overall, "Reach Out and Touch" is a powerful plea for unity and love among people. It reminds us that although we come from different backgrounds and cultures, we all share the same humanity and deserve to be treated with respect and kindness.

Line by Line Meaning

Before we say good night
Before we part ways, there's something important we want to convey

I would like to leave these words to everybody
I have a message for everyone to hear

Singabantwana bembeleko emnyama
Children born in difficult times

Ende uThixo wathatha ixesha lakhe ukusakha
God took His time to create them

Singaphumi la singayiboni lonto
We can only grow and learn when we notice and acknowledge our struggles

So lets love one another
Therefore, let us love and support each other

Always always always always
Without exception, let love always guide us

We’ve got to learn to love
We need to understand and practice love

Oh together we’ve got to learn
We need to learn and grow together as a community

(Reach out and touch somebody’s hand)
We can make a difference by reaching out and connecting with others in need

(Make this world a better place I know you can)
We have the power to improve our world through small acts of love and kindness