Chicken
Miriam Makeba Lyrics


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Hmm heh hmm
Hmm heh hmm
Hmm heh hmm
Hmm heh hmm
Hmm heh hmm
Hmm heh hmm
Hmm heh hmm
Hmm heh hmm
Hmm heh hmm
Hmm heh hmm
Hmm heh hmm
Hmm heh hmm
Hmm heh hmm
Hmm heh hmm

Vukani, vukani sekusile madoda
Vukani, vukani sekusile madoda
Vukani, vukani sekusile madoda
Vukani, vukani sekusile madoda

Hmm heh hmm
Hmm heh hmm
Hmm heh hmm
Hmm heh hmm
Hmm heh hmm
Hmm heh hmm
Hmm heh hmm
Hmm heh hmm

Lakhal'iqhude lathi kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)
Lakhal'iqhude lathi kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)
Lakhal'iqhude lathi kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)
Lakhal'iqhude lathi kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)

Kikilikiki, kikilikiki
Kikilikiki, kikilikiki
Kikilikiki, kikilikiki
Kikilikiki, kikilikiki
Kikilikiki, kikilikiki
Kikilikiki, kikilikiki

Vukani madoda sekusile mama (Kikilikiki, kikilikiki)
Vukani madoda sekusile mama
Vukani madoda sekusile mama (Hmm heh hmm)
Vukani madoda sekusile mama (Hmm heh hmm)
Vukani madoda sekusile mama (Hmm heh hmm)

Lakhal'iqhude lathi kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)
Lakhal'iqhude lathi kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)
Lakhal'iqhude lathi kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)
Lakhal'iqhude lathi kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)

Hmm heh hmm
Hmm heh hmm

Kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)
Kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)
Kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)
Kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)
Kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)
Kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)

Vukani madoda sekusile mama
Vukani madoda sekusile mama
Vukani, vukani sekusile madoda
Vukani, vukani sekusile madoda

Lakhal'iqhude lathi kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)
Lakhal'iqhude lathi kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)
Lakhal'iqhude lathi kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)
Lakhal'iqhude lathi kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)

Hmm heh hmm
Hmm heh hmm

Kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)
Kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)
Kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)
Kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)
Kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)
Kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)
Kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)
Kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)
Kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)
Kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)
Kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)




Kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)
Kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)

Overall Meaning

The song Kikirikiki by Miriam Makeba is a call to awakening for the people. The repeated phrase “Vukani, vukani sekusile madoda” can be translated as “wake up, wake up the time has come”. The repetition of this phrase throughout the song creates a sense of urgency and importance. The song urges the community to take action and rise up, as the time for change has come.


Additionally, the phrase “Lakhal'iqhude lathi kikilikiki” appears several times in the song. It roughly translates to “They laughed and giggled like chickens”. This phrase could be seen as a metaphor for the people who are still asleep, unaware of the urgency of the situation. Their laughter and giggles are compared to the sound of chickens, which in turn implies that they are still unware and not taking the situation seriously.


Overall, Kikirikiki is a powerful and inspiring song that calls for people to wake up and take action. The repetition of the phrases and the rhythm of the song make it easy to listen to and remember, while also conveying the important message that Miriam Makeba is trying to spread.


Line by Line Meaning

Vukani, vukani sekusile madoda
Awake, awake you've slept enough men


Lakhal'iqhude lathi kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)
The dawn breaks and the rooster crows


Kikilikiki, kikilikiki
Cock-a-doodle-doo, cock-a-doodle-doo


Vukani madoda sekusile mama
Awake men, you have slept enough mother


Kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)
Cock-a-doodle-doo


Vukani, vukani sekusile madoda
Awake, awake you've slept enough men


Hmm heh hmm


Kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)
Cock-a-doodle-doo


Kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)
Cock-a-doodle-doo


Lakhal'iqhude lathi kikilikiki (Hmm heh hmm)
The dawn breaks and the rooster crows




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@guguncube2308

Playing it for my mum she still remembers through her dementia and all ❤ love her to the moon

@yippee2000

My whole body smiles when I hear this song!!!

@ronthealmightyratking8206

I love this, I accidentally stumbled while searching for another song, but I like this <33

-Ron, The Almighty Rat King

@paolocorelli2222

wonderful ans unforgettable sound, it will never disappear

@corely91

when i was abt 3yrs old, my favorite songs were hers. I remember refusing to eat if i dint hear it :)

@lekis5975

you had exquisite taste from an early age.

@brunocarryllobruno6172

I lo ve miria makeba free of soul very good forever for all my life

@brianocen595

This are songs of all time(Mama Africa ,freedom fighter

@sammieakan9115

love how the baseline mimic a chicken

@kenneththobejane5140

Mamelodi! Late 60s!

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