Lenyalo
Marumo Lyrics

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Ngwaneso Maletshwane a ke re batlisise
Re bone hore ka nnete
Nna le wena re ka phedisana
Re s'ke ra ya le lethabo
La lerato lena le le cha
Yaba se re potlakela
Hore jwale tje re ka nyalana

(Jonna lenyalo) Jonna
(Jonna lenyalo) Jonna lenyalo we
Jonna lenyalo moratuwa ha se papadi
Jonna lenyalo (Jonna lenyalo)
Jonna (Jonna lenyalo)
Jonna lenyalo (Jonna lenyalo moratuwa ha se papadi)

E se ile ba ba ngata
Ba keneng tsietsing ena
Bona jwale ba hlalane
Ka baka la potlakela nyalo

Jonna lenyalo (Jonna lenyalo)
Jonna (Jonna lenyalo)
Jonna lenyalo (Jonna lenyalo moratuwa ha se papadi)
Jonna lenyalo (Jonna lenyalo)
Jonna (Jonna lenyalo)
Jonna lenyalo (Jonna lenyalo moratuwa ha se papadi)
Hela lenyalo (Jonna lenyalo)
Hela (Jonna lenyalo)
Hela lenyalo (Jonna lenyalo moratuwa ha se papadi)
Jonna lenyalo (Jonna lenyalo)
Jonna (Jonna lenyalo)
Jonna lenyalo (Jonna lenyalo moratuwa ha se papadi)

Hela lenyalo
Kea jwetsa nth'eo
Ntho ena ha se papadi we
Hela Lenyalo
Hela lenyalo
Kea jwetsa ngwaneso
Hlokomela nth'eo he
Hela lenyalo
Jonna lenyalo we
Ha se papadi nth'eo
Hlokomela ngwaneso
Hela lenyalo we

Hela lenyalo (Jonna lenyalo)
Hela (Jonna lenyalo)
Lona lenyalo (Jonna lenyalo moratuwa ha se papadi)
Hela lenyalo (Jonna lenyalo)
Jonna (Jonna lenyalo)
Hela lenyalo (Jonna lenyalo moratuwa ha se papadi)
Jonna lenyalo (Jonna lenyalo)
Hela lenyalo (Jonna lenyalo)
Hela lenyalo (Jonna lenyalo moratuwa ha se papadi)
Hela lenyalo (Jonna lenyalo)
Lona (Jonna lenyalo)
Lona lenyalo (Jonna lenyalo moratuwa ha se papadi)
Nth'eo ha se papadi (Jonna lenyalo)

Ha se papadi nth'eo (Jonna lenyalo)
Hayi papa le lewewele (Jonna lenyalo moratuwa ha se papadi)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Marumo's song Lenyalo depict a love story that seems to have faced some challenges but the couple is determined to go through with their wedding ceremony. The song opens with Ngwaneso Maletshwane urging someone, possibly a family member or friend, to speed up the preparations for the wedding ("Ngwaneso Maletshwane a ke re batlisise"). The next lines acknowledge the difficulties that the couple has gone through but assures that they will overcome them ("Re bone hore ka nnete"). The chorus repeats the phrase "Jonna Lenyalo" several times indicating that the focus of the song is on the wedding. The phrase "Moratuwa ha se papadi" which is repeated in the chorus can be translated to mean "The bride is not a prostitute". This is a common phrase used in Setswana culture to emphasize the importance and dignity of the bride in the wedding ceremony.

The second verse introduces new characters who are sitting by and seemingly observing the wedding preparations ("E se ile ba ba ngata, Ba keneng tsietsing ena"). The next lines ("Bona jwale ba hlalane, Ka baka la potlakela nyalo") suggest that the couple has sought the advice of these people who are more experienced in the matter of weddings.

The latter part of the song praises the wedding ceremony and urges everyone to celebrate and enjoy the occasion ("Hlokomela ngwaneso"). The song seems to be both a celebration of a love story that has gone through difficulties and also an affirmation of Setswana culture and practices.

Line by Line Meaning

Ngwaneso Maletshwane a ke re batlisise
I, Ngwaneso Maletshwane, refuse to be bribed.

Re bone hore ka nnete
We see that the truth is important.

Nna le wena re ka phedisana
You and I can come to an agreement.

Re s'ke ra ya le lethabo
Let us go in peace.

La lerato lena le le cha
Our love is unique.

Yaba se re potlakela
Even when we argue.

Hore jwale tje re ka nyalana
We still love each other.

Jonna lenyalo
This wedding.

Jonna lenyalo we
This wedding of ours.

Jonna lenyalo moratuwa ha se papadi
This wedding, my friend, is not a joke.

E se ile ba ba ngata
They may have been strong.