Malaisha
Miriam Makeba Lyrics


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Zembe malaisha
Zembe sigawule
Zembe malaisha
Zembe sigawule
Zembe malaisha
Zembe sigawule

Yiza nezembe malaisha (Zembe malaisha)
Yiza nezembe sigawule (Zembe sigawule)
Yiza nezembe malaisha (Zembe malaisha)
Yiza nezembe sigawule (Zembe sigawule)

Bathi, bathi, bathi vula malaisha (Zembe malaisha)
Bathi, bathi, bathi vula sigawule (Zembe sigawule)
Bathi, bathi, bathi vula malaisha (Zembe malaisha)
Bathi, bathi, bathi vula sigawule (Zembe sigawule)

Zembe malaisha
Zembe sigawule
Zembe malaisha
Zembe sigawule

Bathi, bathi, bathi vula malaisha (Zembe malaisha)
Bathi, bathi, bathi vula sigawule (Zembe sigawule)
Bathi, bathi, bathi vula malaisha (Zembe malaisha)
Bathi, bathi, bathi vula sigawule (Zembe sigawule)

Yiza nezembe (Zembe malaisha)
Yiza nezembe (Zembe sigawule)
Yiza nezembe (Zembe malaisha)
Yiza nezembe (Zembe sigawule)

Bathi, bathi, bathi vula malaisha
Bathi, bathi, bathi vula sigawule
Bathi, bathi, bathi vula malaisha
Bathi, bathi, bathi vula sigawule

Bathi, bathi, bathi vula malaisha (Yiza nezembe)
Bathi, bathi, bathi vula sigawule (Yiza nezembe)
Bathi, bathi, bathi vula malaisha (Yiza nezembe)
Bathi, bathi, bathi vula sigawule (Yiza nezembe)

Yiza nezembe (Zembe malaisha)
Yiza nezembe (Zembe sigawule)
Yiza nezembe (Zembe malaisha)
Yiza nezembe (Zembe sigawule)

Zembe malaisha
Zembe sigawule
Zembe malaisha
Yiza nezembe (Zembe sigawule)

Bathi, bathi, bathi vula malaisha




Bathi, bathi, bathi vula sigawule (Yiza nezembe)
Bathi, bathi, bathi vula malaisha

Overall Meaning

The lyrics "Zembe malaisha, Zembe sigawule" are repetitive throughout the song and serve as a chant or rallying cry. The word "zembe" means "spade" in Zulu, and it is often used metaphorically in South African music to symbolize spear or hoe, representing struggle against oppression. In this song, it is likely used as a symbol of unity and strength in the fight against apartheid.


The lyrics "Bathi, bathi, bathi vula malaisha" mean "they say, they say, open the spade." This could be interpreted as a call to action, urging people to join together and fight against the injustice of apartheid. A similar phrase, "awuthe mshana," which means "bring down the boss," was often used in South African labor protests and anti-apartheid demonstrations.


Line by Line Meaning

Zembe malaisha
Let's go Malaisha


Zembe sigawule
Let's go Sigawule


Yiza nezembe malaisha (Zembe malaisha)
Come with me to Malaisha (Let's go Malaisha)


Yiza nezembe sigawule (Zembe sigawule)
Come with me to Sigawule (Let's go Sigawule)


Bathi, bathi, bathi vula malaisha (Zembe malaisha)
They say, they say, they say open up Malaisha (Let's go Malaisha)


Bathi, bathi, bathi vula sigawule (Zembe sigawule)
They say, they say, they say open up Sigawule (Let's go Sigawule)


Yiza nezembe (Zembe malaisha)
Come with me (Let's go Malaisha)


Yiza nezembe (Zembe sigawule)
Come with me (Let's go Sigawule)


Bathi, bathi, bathi vula malaisha
They say, they say, they say open up Malaisha


Bathi, bathi, bathi vula sigawule
They say, they say, they say open up Sigawule


Bathi, bathi, bathi vula malaisha (Yiza nezembe)
They say, they say, they say open up Malaisha (Come with me)


Bathi, bathi, bathi vula sigawule (Yiza nezembe)
They say, they say, they say open up Sigawule (Come with me)


Yiza nezembe (Zembe sigawule)
Come with me (Let's go Sigawule)


Zembe malaisha
Let's go Malaisha


Zembe sigawule
Let's go Sigawule




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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Comments from YouTube:

@Pio_Neto1975

Conheci essa maravilha através da peça, A Bofetada, da Cia Baiana de Patifaria, Salvador - Bahia!!!!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

@alcionelima8109

que espetáculo de musica Malayshia  viva Miriam Makeba

@alvaroenfo1

Que maravilha! Estou vibrando!!! Deus nos levou essa rainha... Mas suas canções ficaram pra nos confortar.

@h0boErectus

I love this song!

@DJSocratesVibes

Excellent playlist! Warms my heart ;-)

@denizeappolinario2269

Linda!!! Saudades! Malayisha

@josedomingostadelman738

Beautiful song and singer

@anizior1

Awesome!

@lialoiola5041

Linda! Que saudades!

@jairgomes4836

Right now I´m fourteen years old!

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