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
Willow Song
Miriam Makeba Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
By a sycamore tree
Sing willow, willow, willow
Her hand on her bosom
Her head on her knee
Sing willow, willow, willow, willow
Sing willow, willow, willow, willow
Sing all a green willow
Willow, willow, willow
Sing all a green willow
My garland shall be
The fresh streams ran by her
And murmured her moans
Sing willow, willow, willow
Her fresh tears fell from her
And softened the stones
Sing willow, willow, willow, willow
Sing willow, willow, willow, willow
My garland shall be
Sing all a green willow
Willow, willow, willow
Sing all a green willow
My garland shall be
Shall be
The lyrics to Miriam Makeba's "Willow Song" tell the story of a heartbroken woman sitting under a sycamore tree, lamenting the loss of her love. The repeated phrase of "Sing willow, willow, willow" invokes the image of the willow tree, known for its long and flowing branches that sway mournfully in the wind. The woman's hand is on her chest and her head is on her knee, indicating that she is overcome with grief.
The presence of fresh streams and murmuring moans set a melancholy scene, and the woman's tears fall and "soften the stones" – perhaps a metaphor for how her pain is affecting her surroundings. The repetition of "My garland shall be" suggests that she is collecting flowers or mementos to create a memorial for her lost love, and the line "Sing all a green willow" reinforces the idea of creating something green and growing in memory.
The song can be interpreted as a symbol for the universal experience of heartbreak and the different ways people process their grief. Makeba's performance is hauntingly beautiful, with her soaring vocals adding to the emotional weight of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
The poor soul sat sighing
A despondent individual sat with a melancholic disposition
By a sycamore tree
Next to a particular type of tree called the sycamore
Sing willow, willow, willow
A sorrowful tune is sung repetitively, accompanied by the word 'willow'
Her hand on her bosom
The person's hand rests on their chest
Her head on her knee
The individual bows their head down to rest atop their own knee
My garland shall be
A promise to create a wreath or other decorative accessory
Sing all a green willow
Another iteration of the mournful tune, this time with a reference to 'a green willow'
The fresh streams ran by her
A nearby body of water flowed past her
And murmured her moans
The sound of the water reflected the sound of her sighs and complaints
Her fresh tears fell from her
Tears brimmed in the individual's eyes, and then fell down her face
And softened the stones
The tears flowed down and appeared to erode or 'soften' the rocks below
Shall be
A final affirmation of the promise made earlier
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.