The Manhattan Brothers was a popular South African singing group in the 194… Read Full Bio ↴The Manhattan Brothers was a popular South African singing group in the 1940s and 1950s, during the Apartheid Era. Their sound drew on American ragtime, jive, swing, doo-wop, and several other jazz strains, as well as African choral and Zulu harmonies. Members of the group included Joe Mogotsi, Ronnie Sehume, Rufus Khoza, the late Nathan Mdledle, and Miriam Makeba. Makeba, who went on to international fame, started her career with The Manhattan Brothers and was part of the group for much of the 1950s. The group has one US Billboard pop chart hit, "Lovely Lies", which peaked at #45 in March 1956.
Joe Mogotsi died on 19 May 2011 in Johannesburg, following a long illness.

Marie
Manhattan Brothers Lyrics

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Buya Marie (Marie yey yey)
Ilanga liyoshona (Seliyoshona)
Lofik'ilanga lojikela
Iinyembezi zophalala (Xa ndikubonayo)
Wondikhumbula (La la la)
Nalothando (Nalothando lwakho)
Lwakho Marie (Yah yah yah kunjalo)

Ntombi (Noba sendinje)
Noba sendinjenje (Ndinjena nje)
Ilanga lam (Lofik'i ilanga, lofik'ilanga)
Lofika (Noba sendindedwa nje)
Wondikhumbula mna (Thatha zilahlela)
Tib tib
Oh Bad Marie (Thili lili li khuluma)
Phila mfana (Thili lili li khuluma)
Le

Marie (Ta do da do de)
Marie (Ta do da do de)
Marie (Ta do da do de)

Ntombi ilanga liyoshona
Zophalal'iinyembezi
Zundikhumbule
Mna ntombi ndingowakho

Noko neenkanyezi zezulu
Ziyayaz'inyaniso
Ukuthi wen'ungowam
Ngowam, ngowam

Ta do le do le do le
Hmmm

Overall Meaning

The song "Marie" by the Manhattan Brothers tells the story of a man who is overwhelmed with the memories of his lost love, Marie. The beginning of the song establishes the mood with the line "Buya Marie" which means "Come back Marie". The man reminisces on the past and notes that the sun has set, which means that the time has passed, but the pain of his loss has not diminished. When he sees the tears of others, it reminds him of Marie and he sings "Wondikhumbula," which means "I will remember you". He also sings of Marie's love, saying "Nalothando lwakho" which means "Your love is mine".

The song continues with the man addressing a woman and referring to her as "Ntombi" which means "Girl". He sings that the sun has set on his life since Marie's departure and that he is alone. He pleads with the woman to remember him and sings that he will remember her. The song goes on to mention stars in the sky that represent the truth of the man's feelings for Marie. The song ends with the chorus singing Marie's name repeatedly.

Overall, the song "Marie" by the Manhattan Brothers is a sorrowful tale of a man who is still haunted by the memory of a lost love. The lyrics are filled with emotions of longing and memories that are difficult to shake off.

Line by Line Meaning

Buya Marie (Marie yey yey)
Come back, Marie (Marie, yes, yes)

Ilanga liyoshona (Seliyoshona)
The sun is setting (It's setting)

Lofik'ilanga lojikela
The end of the day is approaching

Iinyembezi zophalala (Xa ndikubonayo)
Tears are pouring down (When I see you)

Wondikhumbula (La la la)
I miss you (La la la)

Nalothando (Nalothando lwakho)
With love (With your love)

Lwakho Marie (Yah yah yah kunjalo)
Yours, Marie (Yes, yes, that's it)

Ntombi (Noba sendinje)
Girl (If I'm wrong)

Noba sendinjenje (Ndinjena nje)
If I'm mistaken

Ilanga lam (Lofik'i ilanga, lofik'ilanga)
My day (The end of the day is approaching)

Lofika (Noba sendindedwa nje)
The end (If I'm alone)

Wondikhumbula mna (Thatha zilahlela)
I miss myself (Take a look)

Tib tib
Quiet, quiet

Oh Bad Marie (Thili lili li khuluma)
Oh Bad Marie (It's talking, talking)

Phila mfana (Thili lili li khuluma)
Live, boy (It's talking, talking)

Le
Here

Marie (Ta do da do de)
Marie (Ta do da do de)

Ntombi ilanga liyoshona
Girl, the sun is setting

Zophalal'iinyembezi
Tears are pouring down

Zundikhumbule
Remember me

Mna ntombi ndingowakho
I, girl, am yours

Noko neenkanyezi zezulu
There are stars in the sky

Ziyayaz'inyaniso
They tell the truth

Ukuthi wen'ungowam
That you are mine

Ngowam, ngowam
Mine, mine

Ta do le do le do le
Ta do le do le do le

Hmmm
Hmmm

Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Irving Berlin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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