Miram Makeba and the Skylarks were, between 1956 and 1959, one of the most … Read Full Bio ↴Miram Makeba and the Skylarks were, between 1956 and 1959, one of the most successful South African vocal groups to blend American influences (Mills Brothers-style pop, gospel, and jazz) with South African tribal rhythms and vocal styles (primarily mbube, a four-part harmony approach originated by Zulu miners).
While growing up in a tough Johannesburg township, Miriam Makeba first sang in Protestant school choirs. After achieving initial fame with the Manhattan Brothers, Makeba recorded a few singles under her own name before Gallo Records asked her to front a South African girl group loosely patterned after the Andrews Sisters and the McGuire Sisters.

Makeba’s lead vocals have a pure and innocent quality that belies her savvy as a bandleader.

Enhancing the gorgeous vocal harmonies wer some excellent South African jazzmen, most notably the band’s white musical director and talented clarinetist-saxman-pianist Dan Hill, as well as the great South African pennywhistler Spokes Mashiyane, who coaxed as much soul out of his simple instrument as any human could. Like the finest mainstream jazz, this music has a relaxed, spontaneous feel that is a complete joy to hear. It’s easy to understand why these lilting melodies gave hope to blacks living the nightmare of apartheid.

After Makeba left South African in 1959 to attend the Venice film festival, the South African authorities would not allow her to return. Her records were banned from South African radio, and the Skylarks broke up a short while later.

Holilili
Miriam Makeba & The Skylarks Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ngeny'imini ekuseni (Emakhayeni)
Ndandifike eBhongweni (Emakhayeni)
Ndava ngezwi elimandi
Limandi ngaphezu lokundi

Latsho kasithukuthezi (Emathafeni)
Wantyiloza ke lomfazi (Emathafeni)
Ndava ngezwi elimandi

Limandi nengoma emandi

Holili alulu
Holilulu
Holili alulu
Holilulu

Lala sana ndiyakumbambazela
Thula baba ndiyakuthuthuzela

Holili alulu
Holilulu
Holili alulu
Holilulu

Lala sana ndiyakumbambazela
Thula baba ndiyakuthuthuzela

Holili alulu
Holilulu

Holili alulu
Holilulu

Overall Meaning

The song Holilili by Miriam Makeba is a traditional African song which tells a story through its lyrics. The first stanza talks about the singer arriving in Bhongweni from Emakhayeni and hearing something that she can't immediately identify. The second stanza describes a woman in Emathafeni who is talking and playing music that makes the singer feel happy.

The chorus of "Holili alulu, Holilulu" is an exclamation that is often used in African music to express happiness, excitement, or celebration. It is repeated throughout the song, serving as a kind of punctuation between the two verses.

The third stanza repeats the first two stanzas, and is followed by a refrain of "lala sana ndiyakumbambazela, thula baba ndiyakuthuthuzela" which roughly translates to "sleep well, I am watching over you, be quiet father, I am comforting you". This refrain is a soothing lullaby that is intended to calm those who hear it.

Line by Line Meaning

Ngeny'imini ekuseni (Emakhayeni)
In the morning at dawn (In the homestead)

Ndandifike eBhongweni (Emakhayeni)
I arrived at Bhongweni (In the homestead)

Ndava ngezwi elimandi
I heard a sweet sound

Limandi ngaphezu lokundi
Louder than thunder

Latsho kasithukuthezi (Emathafeni)
It was sharp and piercing (In the town)

Wantyiloza ke lomfazi (Emathafeni)
A woman was singing (In the town)

Ndava ngezwi elimandi
I heard a sweet sound

Limandi nengoma emandi
Louder than a joyful song

Holili alulu
The sound of the singing

Holilulu
Echoing through the air

Lala sana ndiyakumbambazela
I am deeply moved and overwhelmed