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
Thank You Mama
Miriam Makeba Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can bring confusion in the family
I miss those days of jubilation
We mama yeah (conviviality)
Leading the struggle with nothing in your hands (Nothing in your hands)
Can bring confusion in the family (Family)
I miss those days of jubilation
Days of happiness (Days of happiness)
When families sat round the fire
Those were the days of stability
We mama yeah (conviviality)
I wanna thank you mama (Thank you)
Thank you baby
Thank you mama for everything that you have done for me
It was my responsibility
Since I was a little girl
When I was laying on your back
Taking me to church
We mama I wanna thank you
Mama mama mama mama mama
Thank you thank you
Thank you baby
Iyooooooo iyeleleeeeee babo
It was my responsibility
Thank you, thank you mama
Iyelele mama
Thank you, thank you mama
Thank you baby
Thank you, thank you mama
It was my responsibility
Thank you, thank you mama, mama iyelele
Mama aah
Mama, sithi, we mama yoh
Aaah sibongile siyabonga weh mam
Mama, sithi, we mama yoh
Iye iyeh sibongile thina
Mama, sithi, we mama yoh
Iyelele iyelele iyelele
The song Thank You Mama by Miriam Makeba Leleti Khumalo is an appreciation song to the singer's mother. The lyrics start by acknowledging the struggles that the mother went through while leading the family without any resources or financial provisions. This sort of situation could have brought confusion and conflict within the family, yet the mother managed to keep everything united. The singer expresses nostalgia for the times when the family used to sit together around the fire, sharing joy and happiness. The repetition of "We mama yeah" throughout the song is a tribute to the conviviality the mother created within the family.
The chorus of the song begins by appreciating the mother's selfless love and care. The singer acknowledges the mother's role throughout her life, right from the time the singer was a little girl playing on her mom's back, being taken to church. The song underscores the impact and significance of the mother in shaping the singer's life. It was the responsibility of the singer to recognize the mother's efforts and show gratitude for everything that she has done.
The song's message is universal, recognizing the mother's selflessness and devotion in raising her children. The lyrics highlight the importance of showing gratitude towards one's parents, and the relationship between a mother and child is valued and cherished. The up-tempo beat, along with the repetition of "Thank You Mama," creates an upbeat, celebratory mood that honors the mother's love and dedication.
Line by Line Meaning
Leading the struggle with nothing in your hands
Having no resources to fight for justice and fairness can make things confusing for everyone, especially the family.
Can bring confusion in the family
Struggling for a better life with limited means can put a strain on familial relationships.
I miss those days of jubilation
There were times when we experienced pure joy and happiness.
We mama yeah (conviviality)
Those times were full of conviviality, warmth, and shared moments of joy.
Days of happiness
There were certain days when we were happy and content with life.
When families sat round the fire
We would sit together around a fire, enjoying each other's company.
Those were the days of stability
Those were the times when things were stable and peaceful.
We mama yeah (conviviality)
Those moments were characterized by conviviality and a sense of togetherness.
I wanna thank you Mama (Thank you)
I want to express my gratitude to my mother.
Thank you baby
Thank you, my dear mother.
Thank you Mama for everything that you have done for me
Thank you, mother, for all the things you did for me throughout my life.
It was my responsibility
I acknowledge that it is also my responsibility to show my appreciation towards my mother.
Since I was a little girl
Since the time when I was a small child.
When I was laying on your back
When I used to lie on your back, feeling your warmth and comfort.
Taking me to church
Bringing me to church and instilling faith in me.
We mama I wanna thank you
Mother, I want to express my gratitude to you.
Mama mama mama mama mama
Mother, mother, mother, mother, mother.
Thank you thank you
Thank you, thank you.
Iyooooooo iyeleleeeeee babo
An expression of gratitude and admiration for the mother.
Thank you, thank you Mama
Thank you, thank you, mother.
Iyelele mama
Expressing gratitude and admiration for the mother.
It was my responsibility
I know it is my responsibility to be thankful to my mother.
Mama, sithi, we mama yoh
Mother, we say, mother, oh.
Aaah sibongile siyabonga weh mam
We are grateful, we thank you, mother.
Iye iyeh sibongile thina
We are grateful that you brought us into this world.
Mama, sithi, we mama yoh
Mother, we say, mother, oh.
Iyelele iyelele iyelele
Expressing gratitude and admiration for the mother.
Lyrics © THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@azaniaafricaunite9978
"Days of happiness when the family set around the fire". 🥺🥺💔😢
@ChildofGod9790
That spoke ❤
@humbunetshidongzxxx21
💔
@AURAMakavelli-sv3te
I dedicate this song to my Mother and all African mothers, it was all your responsibility we are today. Thank you God for your love to our mothers, rest in peace mama Miriam.
@azaniaafricaunite9978
RIP Mama Miriam Makeba, still listening to this song in 2021 ❤️🙏🏻😭😭😭
@imoheboh
I dedicate this song to my mum, as we draw close to her 1 year remembrance.
@alvinronny4660
I dedicate this sound to my mother i love u Mum and i wish u long life and safety
@kagisorapoo7533
My exact sentiments buddy... Favorite Song for Mother's Day...
@luvielorato3184
Happy Mother’s Day bo Mama 🙌🏾❤️😭tanki!
@ernestinaabenaessilfuaagye4778
There is passion and spirit in African music😍❤