One By One
Mark Mancina/Lebo M/Elton John/Tim Rice/Hans Zimmer/Jay Rifkin 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 "One By One" describe a call to unity and cooperation, encouraging individuals to work together towards a common goal. "Ibambeni njalo bakithi" means "hold each other tight" in Zulu, emphasizing the importance of support from one another. The song urges listeners to persevere in the face of adversity, stating that victories will come "one by one" and that they will eventually triumph together.
The repetition of the phrase "One by one" throughout the song serves as a reminder that progress may be slow, but it is still progress nonetheless. The phrase "Sizo nqoba" translates to "we will conquer," further emphasizing the ultimate goal of overcoming obstacles together. The song also mentions "amagwala," which means "cowards" in Zulu, highlighting the need to reject fear and stand strong in the face of challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Ibambeni njalo bakithi
Hold on tight, my brothers
Ninga dinwa
Don't be shaken
Ninga phelelwa nga mandla
Don't be overwhelmed by strength
Siya ba bona
We see them
Bebe fun' ukusi qeda
They want to finish us
One by one
Individually
Ngeke ba lunge
They won't succeed
Sizo nqoba
We will conquer
Ibambeni njalo bakithi
Hold on tight, my brothers
Siya ba bona
We see them
Babe fun' ukusi qeda
They want to finish us
Sizo nqoba
We will conquer
One by one
Individually
Ngeke ba lunge
They won't succeed
Sizo nqoba
We will conquer
Ngoba thina
For we
Siya zazi
We know
Sizo nqoba
We will conquer
Ngoba thina
For we
Siya zazi
We know
Zobona bayabaleka
They're running away
Zobon, zobona
They see us
Zobon
See
Amagwala
The cowards
Ibala lami
My color
Elimnyama
Is black
Ndiya zidla ngalo
I'm going to eat it
Ibala lami
My color
Elimnyama
Is black
Ndiza kufa nalo
I'd rather die with it
Ibala lami
My color
Elimnyama
Is black
Ndiya zidla ngalo
I'm going to eat it
Kumnandi
It's delicious
Kwelakakith Eafrica
In the land of Africa
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