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
Known Unsung Hero
Miriam Makeba Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So boldly he wrote
Wrote a message about a change of heart
Known unsung hero
Every word he said was true
Every battle he went through
Known unsung hero
Known lonesome hero
So boldly he wrote
Wrote a song about a change of mind
Known lonesome hero
Now every song he sang was true
Every word he said was true
Known lonesome hero
Known lonesome hero
Known unsung hero
So boldly he wrote
Wrote a message about a change of heart
Known lonesome hero
Every battle he went through
Every word he said was true
Known lonesome hero
Oh unsung hero
Hero
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Known lonesome hero
So boldly he wrote
Wrote a message about a change of heart
Known unsung hero
Now every word he said was true
Yeah, yeah every battle he went through
Known unsung hero
Known lonesome hero
So boldly he wrote
Wrote a song about a change of mind
Known lonesome hero
Every song he sang was true
Every word he said was true
Known lonesome hero
Known lonesome hero
Known lonesome hero
The lyrics to Miriam Makeba's song "Known Unsung Hero" depict a courageous individual who speaks out about important issues, despite being relatively unknown and unrecognized. The song highlights their bravery and the impact they have on others through their messages of change and their unwavering commitment to truth.
The repeated lines "Known lonesome hero, so boldly he wrote, wrote a message about a change of heart" and "Known unsung hero, so boldly he wrote, wrote a song about a change of mind" emphasize the heroic nature of this individual who fearlessly expresses their thoughts and beliefs. Their words carry weight and resonate with those who hear them, making a significant impact on their audience.
The lyrics also emphasize the authenticity of this hero's voice, with lines like "every word he said was true, every song he sang was true." This suggests that their message comes from a place of sincerity and integrity, further strengthening their influence on others.
Line by Line Meaning
Known lonesome hero
This person is a hero who is known to be lonely and isolated.
So boldly he wrote
He fearlessly expressed his thoughts and feelings through writing.
Wrote a message about a change of heart
He composed a meaningful message advocating for a change in attitude or perspective.
Known unsung hero
He is a hero who is not famous or recognized for his actions.
Every word he said was true
All his statements and beliefs were genuine and honest.
Every battle he went through
He faced numerous challenges and hardships throughout his life.
Wrote a song about a change of mind
He created a song that encouraged people to rethink their beliefs and opinions.
Now every song he sang was true
All the songs he performed held genuine and authentic messages.
Known lonesome hero
He is a hero who is known for his loneliness and isolation.
Oh unsung hero
A phrase expressing admiration and acknowledgment for his actions as an unrecognized hero.
Hero
A term highlighting his heroic qualities and significance.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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.