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.
Ndimbone Dluca
Miriam Makeba & The Skylarks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ndimbonil'edlul'izolo weh ma
Ndambuz'ukuth'uyaphi weh ma
Ndambuz'ukuth'uyaphi weh ma
Ndimbonil'edlul'izolo weh ma
Ndimbonil'edlul'izolo weh ma
Ndambuz'ukuth'uyaphi weh ma
Umam'uDikathole weh ma
Umam'uDikathole weh ma
Umam'uDikathole weh ma
Umam'uDikathole weh ma
Umam'uDikathole weh ma
Umam'uDikathole weh ma
Umam'uDikathole weh ma
Umam'uDikathole weh ma
Ndimbonil'edlul'izolo weh ma
Ndimbonil'edlul'izolo weh ma
Ndambuz'ukuth'uyaphi weh ma
Ndambuz'ukuth'uyaphi weh ma
Ndimbonil'edlul'izolo weh ma
Ndimbonil'edlul'izolo weh ma
Ndambuz'ukuth'uyaphi weh ma
Ndambuz'ukuth'uyaphi weh ma
Umam'uDikathole weh ma
Umam'uDikathole weh ma
Umam'uDikathole weh ma
The lyrics of Miriam Makeba's song Ndimbone Dluca express the singer's longing to see her beloved who she saw yesterday but can't find today. The repetition of the lines emphasizes her desperation to be reunited with her loved one. The line "ndambuz'ukuth'uyaphi" means "I'm asking where are you" in Zulu, adding to the sense of confusion and uncertainty Makeba is feeling. The reference to "umam'uDikathole" suggests that the song may be inspired by Makeba's own life, as Dikathole is the name of a township outside of Johannesburg where Makeba grew up.
The song Ndimbone Dluca is a poignant example of Makeba's ability to blend traditional African rhythms with modern jazz and pop influences, creating a unique sound that captivated audiences worldwide. Makeba's distinctive vocal style, which seamlessly weaves together deep, resonant tones with high-pitched trills, adds to the emotional intensity of the lyrics. The song has become an iconic representation of the struggle for freedom and social justice in South Africa, and Makeba herself was a leading voice in the anti-apartheid movement. The simplicity of the lyrics, combined with Makeba's unforgettable voice, make Ndimbone Dluca a timeless classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Ndimbonil'edlul'izolo weh ma
I remember yesterday, mother
Ndambuz'ukuth'uyaphi weh ma
I asked, where are you going, mother?
Umam'uDikathole weh ma
Mother has come back
Ndimbonil'edlul'izolo weh ma
I remember yesterday, mother
Ndambuz'ukuth'uyaphi weh ma
I asked, where are you going, mother?
Umam'uDikathole weh ma
Mother has come back
Ndimbonil'edlul'izolo weh ma
I remember yesterday, mother
Ndambuz'ukuth'uyaphi weh ma
I asked, where are you going, mother?
Umam'uDikathole weh ma
Mother has come back
Ndimbonil'edlul'izolo weh ma
I remember yesterday, mother
Ndambuz'ukuth'uyaphi weh ma
I asked, where are you going, mother?
Umam'uDikathole weh ma
Mother has come back
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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