Miriam Makeba used her voice to entertain, but also to give a voice to millions of oppressed fellow South Africans who suffered as a result of apartheid. The price she had to pay for her actions was high, namely her South African citizenship. After she appeared, in 1960, in the an anti-apartheid documentary Come Back, Africa, the South African regime banned her from returning to her home country and took away her citizenship.
This event didn't stop her from continuing to raise her voice against the apartheid regime. Between 1964 and 1975, as a United Nations delegate of Guinea where she was granted asylum, Miriam Makeba addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations regularly on the tragic developments in South Africa.
Meanwhile she carried on singing, a process in which she put South African music on the map. Over the years Makeba worked with artists as Joe Sample, Stix Hooper, Arthur Adams, and David T. Walker of The Crusaders. In the late 1980's she joined Paul Simon and Ladysmith Black Mambazo during their world-wide Graceland tour and in 1990 she worked with Odetta and Nina Simone for the One Nation tour.
Following Nelson Mandela's release from prison, the citizen of the world Makeba returned to South Africa in December 1990; more than thirty years after she went in exile. In April 1991 she performed her first concert in her homeland in three decades.
The years after were busy ones for Makeba. She starred in the South African award-winning musical Sarafina! , about the 1976 Soweto youth uprisings, playing the role of the title character's mother. She then reunited with her first husband, trumpeter Hugh Masekela, for the Tour Of Hope. She also performed at the Vatican's Nevi Hall during the world-wide broadcasted show, Christmas In The Vatican. In 2000 Makeba released the grammy-nominated Homeland, her first studio album in a decade. In 2002 she shared the Polar Music Prize with Sofia Gubaidulina, in recognition of her exceptional achievements in the creation and advancement of music.
After her return to South Africa Miriam Makeba recorded over ten albums. In 2004, at the age of 72, she relased Reflections honoring the tenth anniversary of the end of apartheid in South Africa. In that same year Makeba was voted 38th in the Top 100 Great South Africans. She also started a 14 month worldwide farwell tour in 2005, holding concerts in all countries she had visited during her life.
With an impressive career spanning more than four decades Miriam Makeba is, indeed, one of the most respected, loved and cherished treasures in (South) Africa.
On the early morning of 10th of November 2008 she died at the age of 76 after being taken ill near the southern Italian town of Caserta, after performing at a concert against organized crime.
Source: Miriam Makeba, A true South African musical Legend
Discography on last.fm
External links:
Official website
Unofficial website
Movie database
Brand New Day
Miriam Makeba Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When all the dark clouds roll away
And the sun begins to shine
I see my freedom from across the way
And it comes right in on time
Well, it shines so bright
And it comes right from the sky above
Makes me feel so free
Makes me feel like me, yeah
And lights my life with love
And it seems like (Seems like)
And it feels like (Feels like)
And it seems (Seems like)
Oh yes, it feels like (Feels like)
A brand new day, yeah ( A brand new day)
A brand new day, yeah, oh yeah (Yeah, yeah)
I was lost, double crossed
With my hands behind my back
I was long time hurt and thrown in the dirt
Shoved out on a railroad track
I've been used, abused and so confused
And I didn't have nowhere to run
But I stood and looked
And my eyes got hooked
On that beautiful morning sun
Yes, it seems like (Seems like)
And it feels like (Feels like)
And it seems (Seems like)
Oh yes, it feels like (Feels like)
A brand new day, yeah ( A brand new day)
A brand new day, yeah, oh yeah (Yeah, yeah)
And it seems like (Seems like)
And it feels like (Feels like)
And it seems (Seems like)
Oh yes, it feels like (Feels like)
A brand new day
Miriam Makeba's song "Brand New Day" is an inspirational track that speaks about overcoming adversity and finding hope in the midst of pain. The song is about a person who has gone through a lot of challenges in their life - they've been hurt, betrayed, used, and abused. They've been thrown down and had no one to turn to. But just when things are at their darkest, the sun begins to shine, and the person sees their freedom across the way. It's a symbol of hope and potential for a better future.
The lyrics in "Brand New Day" are an ode to the power of hope and the resilience of the human spirit. The sun that shines so bright represents a new beginning, a chance to start again, and a hope for the future. Miriam Makeba's voice is full of emotion, and you can hear the passion in her voice as she sings about overcoming obstacles.
Overall, "Brand New Day" is a reminder that even in the most difficult of times, there is always a glimmer of hope and a chance for a fresh start. It encourages us to keep going and to never give up on our dreams, no matter how difficult things may seem.
Line by Line Meaning
When all the dark clouds roll away
As the negative aspects of life disappear
And the sun begins to shine
When positivity and hope appear
I see my freedom from across the way
I can envision my liberation
And it comes right in on time
And it arrives when I need it most
Well, it shines so bright
It is powerful and radiant
and it gives so much light
It provides clarity and guidance
And it comes right from the sky above
It is a gift from a higher power
Makes me feel so free
It fills me with a sense of liberation
Makes me feel like me, yeah
It reconnects me with my true self
And lights my life with love
It fills my life with love and positivity
And it seems like (Seems like)
It appears as though
And it feels like (Feels like)
It gives the sensation of
A brand new day, yeah ( A brand new day)
A new day with new possibilities
A brand new day, yeah, oh yeah (Yeah, yeah)
A day filled with hope and positivity
I was lost, double crossed
I had lost my way and been betrayed
With my hands behind my back
I felt helpless and trapped
I was long time hurt and thrown in the dirt
I had been hurt and treated unfairly for a long time
Shoved out on a railroad track
I had been pushed towards destruction
I've been used, abused and so confused
I have been taken advantage of and lacked clarity
And I didn't have nowhere to run
I felt like I had nowhere to turn to
But I stood and looked
But I searched for hope and positivity
And my eyes got hooked
And I became fixated on
On that beautiful morning sun
The hope and positivity represented by the sunrise
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ALEX WASILIEV
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tara Mcgavan
I found this song from the Harry & Meghan story on Netflix...a lovely song and a beautiful strong couple I respect so very much💕✌🏽💕
Tunde Alaofin
Same here
Tammy Charles
Me, too!
Young Neguz
Same lol
EAM
Yes, same here. Also, love the last song by Nancy Wilson “How Glad I am”.
Jackie King
Watching harry and Megan documentary changed my mind about them , they so in love , leave them alone x
LaVerne Terrell
Last year I decided to exit the merry go round of negativity that was my life. After watching Harry & Meghan’s Netflix special , this song brought me to tears. It put into words in a beautiful voice, my feelings. Thank you Harry & Meghan. May you find peace in your lives. 💙❤️💙💗
Rita Dickerson Detroit Black History
This song tells Meghan's story and journey so beautifully.
Alex Riddick
Miriam has such a beautiful voice and her singing touches your heart.
Lorna Fuller
I kept replaying this song in the Harry and Meghan’s docu-series.The words are so befitting for H &M ‘s rebirth on a brand new day