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
Little Boy
Miriam Makeba Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Little boy how old are you?
Little boy how old are you?
Well I'm only twelve years old
This little boy as you remember
Was born on the 25th of December
The lawyers and doctors were amazed
The lawyers and doctors stood and wondered
As though they had been struck by thunder
And they decided as they wondered
That all mankind must come undone
Little boy how old are you?
Little boy how old are you?
Little boy how old are you?
Well I'm only twelve years old
Well this little boy had the key
To the hidden mystery
The lawyers decided as wise as he
We'd better let that little boy be
The last time this little boy was seen
He was standing on Mount Olive at Green
When he dispersed of the crowd
He entered up into a cloud
Little boy how old are you?
Little boy how old are you?
Little boy how old are you?
Well I'm only twelve years old
In the lyrics of Miriam Makeba's song "Little Boy," the repeated questioning of the boy's age creates an air of mystery and intrigue. The boy's age, being only twelve years old, belies the wisdom and depth of understanding he possesses. The reference to his birth on the 25th of December adds a symbolic layer to the narrative, evoking themes of new beginnings and spirituality.
The reaction of the lawyers and doctors to the boy's remarkable attributes symbolizes a collective disbelief and astonishment at his extraordinary nature. Their amazement and praise indicate that this young boy possesses a unique quality or gift that sets him apart from others, leading them to question the natural order of things.
The lines about the lawyers and doctors being struck by thunder and fearing that "all mankind must come undone" suggest a sense of foreboding or impending change brought about by the boy's presence. There is a feeling of disruption and a hint at potential upheaval in the world due to the unveiling of the boy's extraordinary abilities.
The boy's connection to a hidden mystery and the reference to Mount Olive at Green further deepen the song's enigmatic quality. The imagery of the boy entering into a cloud after dispersing the crowd conveys a sense of otherworldly departure or ascension, leaving behind a sense of wonder and questioning about his true nature and purpose. Overall, the lyrics of "Little Boy" capture a sense of wonder, mystery, and divine presence embodied in the figure of a young boy with an age-defying wisdom and significance.
Line by Line Meaning
Little boy how old are you?
An inquiry about the age of a young child
Well I'm only twelve years old
A response stating the child's age
This little boy as you remember
Referring to the child in question
Was born on the 25th of December
Indicating the child's birthdate
The lawyers and doctors were amazed
Expressing astonishment from professionals
And had to give this little boy a praise
Acknowledging the child's exceptional qualities
The lawyers and doctors stood and wondered
Describing the reaction of the professionals
As though they had been struck by thunder
Emphasizing their shock and surprise
That all mankind must come undone
Suggesting a significant impact on humanity
Well this little boy had the key
Highlighting the child's access to important knowledge
To the hidden mystery
Referring to a concealed truth
We'd better let that little boy be
Implying the need to leave the child to his own devices
The last time this little boy was seen
Discussing the child's disappearance
When he dispersed of the crowd
Describing his departure from a group of people
He entered up into a cloud
Suggesting a mysterious exit
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Vavavoom1392
Little boy, how old are you?(3)
Well, I'm only twelve years old
This little boy as we (had them to) remember (he was) was bor the 25th of december
doctors and lawyers were amazed, and (they) had to give the little boy praise
Lawyers and doctors stodd and wondered as though they had been struck by thunder
then they decided while they wondered that all mankind must come under
Little boy, how old are you?(3)
Well, I'm only twelve years old
Well, this little boy had the key to the hidden mystery,
the lawyers decided, as wise as he, (they'd) "we'd better let that little boy be"
The last time that little boy was seen, he was standing on mount Olivet green
when he dispersed of the crowd, he entered up into a cloud
Little boy, how old are you?(3)
Well, I'm only twelve years old.
@myriemahbethy633
Une de ses plus belles chansons
@OriginalSickMick
Got me the chills. Brilliant!
@cyndimorris8075
Amazing vocalist!
@annetobin495
I used to own this album i sure wish i still had it,can it get any better
@nonchalantsavagery
I looked and found it. I like her sound.
@NicolasArribas
¡Qué linda nana!, trataré de dormir con ella a mis sobrinillos y ahijado.
@fancytub
does anyone know the text, please??? :))
@Vavavoom1392
Little boy, how old are you?(3)
Well, I'm only twelve years old
This little boy as we (had them to) remember (he was) was bor the 25th of december
doctors and lawyers were amazed, and (they) had to give the little boy praise
Lawyers and doctors stodd and wondered as though they had been struck by thunder
then they decided while they wondered that all mankind must come under
Little boy, how old are you?(3)
Well, I'm only twelve years old
Well, this little boy had the key to the hidden mystery,
the lawyers decided, as wise as he, (they'd) "we'd better let that little boy be"
The last time that little boy was seen, he was standing on mount Olivet green
when he dispersed of the crowd, he entered up into a cloud
Little boy, how old are you?(3)
Well, I'm only twelve years old.
@kokumalamoi3421
This Song was just disliked the one time, because of the trolls, the lols, or the missunderstanding of music. Maybe all of it together.
@YouTubeIsAssHo
Idiot