Icala
Miriam Makeba Lyrics


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Noseyishayile bath'usengakayosi babo
Noseyishayile bath'usengakayosi
Noseyishayile bath'usengakayosi babo
Noseyishayile bath'usengakayosi

Noseyosile bath'usengakayidli babo
Noseyosile bath'usengakayidli
Noseyosile bath'usengakayidli babo
Noseyosile bath'usengakayidli

Heh mama noseyidlile kant'usedl'icala babo
Noseyidlile kant'usedl'icala
Heh mama noseyidlile kant'usedl'icala babo
Noseyidlile kant'usedl'icala

Noseyishayile bath'usengakayosi babo
Noseyishayile bath'usengakayosi
Bathi ke noseyishayile bath'usengakayosi babo
Noseyishayile bath'usengakayosi

Noseyosile bath'usengakayidli babo
Noseyosile bath'usengakayidli
Noseyosile bath'usengakayidli babo
Noseyosile bath'usengakayidli

Helele noseyidlile kant'usedl'icala babo
Noseyidlile kant'usedl'icala
Helele noseyidlile kant'usedl'icala babo
Noseyidlile kant'usedl'icala

Noseyishayile bath'usengakayosi babo
Noseyishayile bath'usengakayosi
Bathi ke noseyishayile bath'usengakayosi babo
Noseyishayile bath'usengakayosi

Helele noseyosile bath'usengakayidli babo
Noseyosile bath'usengakayidli
Noseyosile bath'usengakayidli babo
Noseyosile bath'usengakayidli

Helele noseyidlile kant'usedl'icala babo
Noseyidlile kant'usedl'icala




Heh mama noseyidlile kant'usedl'icala babo
Noseyidlile kant'usedl'icala

Overall Meaning

The Miriam Makeba song, "Icala," is in the Xhosa language, and the lyrics of this song express a lamentation for a loved one who has passed away. The song begins with the lines "Noseyishayile bath'usengakayosi babo" and "Noseyosile bath'usengakayidli babo," which literally translate to "I have lost them, they won't return home" and "I have lost them, they won't eat food" respectively. The repetition of these lines throughout the song conveys the universal grief felt at the loss of a loved one, and the longing for their return even though it won't happen.


The chorus of the song, which is repeated several times, contains the phrase "kant'usedl'icala," which can translate to "but I will eat the sorrow," or more figuratively, "I will bear the pain." The phrase underscores the inevitability of this experience where mourners are left with nothing but sorrow and grief to consume, and they must accept it.


Overall, "Icala" is a poignant and emotional song that touches on the universal experience of loss and grief, and the struggle to come to terms with it.


Line by Line Meaning

Noseyishayile bath'usengakayosi babo
We asked them where their father is.


Noseyishayile bath'usengakayosi
We asked them where their father is.


Noseyosile bath'usengakayidli babo
We asked them where their food is.


Noseyosile bath'usengakayidli
We asked them where their food is.


Heh mama noseyidlile kant'usedl'icala babo
Oh mother, I asked them to give me some work.


Noseyidlile kant'usedl'icala
I asked them to give me some work.


Noseyishayile bath'usengakayosi babo
We asked them where their father is.


Noseyishayile bath'usengakayosi
We asked them where their father is.


Bathi ke noseyishayile bath'usengakayosi babo
They said we asked them where their father is.


Noseyishayile bath'usengakayosi
We asked them where their father is.


Noseyosile bath'usengakayidli babo
We asked them where their food is.


Noseyosile bath'usengakayidli
We asked them where their food is.


Helele noseyidlile kant'usedl'icala babo
Oh, I asked them to give me some work.


Noseyidlile kant'usedl'icala
I asked them to give me some work.


Helele noseyidlile kant'usedl'icala babo
Oh, I asked them to give me some work.


Noseyidlile kant'usedl'icala
I asked them to give me some work.


Noseyishayile bath'usengakayosi babo
We asked them where their father is.


Noseyishayile bath'usengakayosi
We asked them where their father is.


Bathi ke noseyishayile bath'usengakayosi babo
They said we asked them where their father is.


Noseyishayile bath'usengakayosi
We asked them where their father is.


Helele noseyosile bath'usengakayidli babo
Oh, we asked them where their food is.


Noseyosile bath'usengakayidli
We asked them where their food is.


Noseyosile bath'usengakayidli babo
We asked them where their food is.


Helele noseyidlile kant'usedl'icala babo
Oh, I asked them to give me some work.


Noseyidlile kant'usedl'icala
I asked them to give me some work.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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Mfundo Piti


on To Those We Love (Nongqongqo)

At the time the song was composed and released all the people mentioned ((Mangaliso) Sobukhwe, (Albert) Luthuli, (Nelson) Mandela, and (Walter) Sisulu were alive. While the three were in prison at Robben Island, Luthuli was not in prison, hence the question to Luthuli asking what "will you do?". Luthuli was the president of the banned African National Congress (ANC). Sobukhwe the president of Pan Africanist Congress (PAC). Mandela and Sisulu occupied executive leadership positions within the ANC at the time of their sentencing to serve life sentences in prison (1964). The same question is asked to all Africans.

Mfundo Piti


on To Those We Love (Nongqongqo)

The lyrics of "To Those We Love" by Miriam Makeba are about the struggles, sacrifices, and resilience of great African leaders who fought for freedom, justice, and equality. The repetitive chorus, "Bahleli bonke entilongweni, Bahleli bonke kwaNongqongqo" refers to how all these leaders, including Sobukwe, Luthuli, Mandela, and Sisulu, are resting in peace or buried in their respective homes. The verses pose questions about their legacy and the continuation of their work, asking "Why, Baba Luthuli? What will you do?" and "What will happen to us, MaAfrica?" These questions are a call to action for listeners to carry on the struggle for freedom and justice.

Junior


on Soweto Blues

The melancholy in her voice

Junior


on Mama

It makes me cry I could not bury my mother cause I was in prison when I ask prison authorities to allow me an opportunity to go and attend the funeral they refused. We always underestimate the role of women

no


on Beware, Verwoerd! (Ndodemnyama)

no
hi! i enjoted. this song. i loved it

Matt Olomu


on Noweva

This is your challenge, South Africans who understand the lyrics of NOWEVER. Do yourselves and Africa a favour. Interpret it.