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.

Uthando Luyaphela
Miriam Makeba & The Skylarks Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Dal'uzohamba
Dal'uzobuya
Dal'uzohamba ud'ubuye

Dal'uzohamba
Dal'uzobuya
Dal'uzohamba ud'ubuye

Mama loluthando luyaphela (Thando luyaphela)
Luyafana neCigarrette (Fana neCigarette)
Mama loluthando luyaphela (Thando luyaphela)
Luyafana neCigarrette (Fana neCigarette)

Tyhini ndihlutshwa (Nguwe, nguwe)
Tyhini ndihlutshwa (Nguwe sithandwa sam)
Tyhini ndihlutshwa (Nguwe, nguwe)
Tyhini ndihlutshwa (Nguwe sithandwa sam)

Ndizokhala (Zome iinyembezi)
Ndizokhala (Zome sithandwa sam)
Ndizokhala (Zome iinyembezi)
Ndizokhala (Zome sithandwa sam)

Hayi yaya ho ayi (Ntab'ezikude)
Hayi yaya ho ayi (Khumbuz'uLovey wam)
Hayi yaya ho ayi (Ntab'ezikude)
Hayi yaya ho ayi (Khumbuz'uLovey wam)

Mama loluthando luyaphela (Thando luyaphela)
Mama luyafana neCigarette (Fana neCigarette)
Mama loluthando luyaphela (Thando luyaphela)
Luyafana neCigarette (Fana neCigarette)

Tyhini ndihlutshwa (Nguwe, nguwe)
Tyhini ndihlutshwa (Nguwe sithandwa sam)
Tyhini ndihlutshwa (Nguwe, nguwe)
Tyhini ndihlutshwa (Nguwe sithandwa sam)

Ndizokhala (Zome iinyembezi)
Ndizokhala (Zome sithandwa sam)
Ndizokhala (Zome iinyembezi)
Ndizokhala (Zome sithandwa sam)

Hayi yaya ho ayi (Ntab'ezikude)
Hayi yaya ho ayi (Khumbuz'uLovey wam)
Hayi yaya ho ayi (Ntab'ezikude)
Hayi yaya ho ayi (Khumbuz'uLovey wam)

Mama loluthando luyaphela (Thando luyaphela)
Tyhini luyafana neCigarette (Fana neCigarette)

Mama loluthando luyaphela (Thando luyaphela)
Tyhini luyafana neCigarette (Fana neCigarette)

Overall Meaning

The song "Uthando Luyaphela" by Miriam Makeba is a beautiful and melancholic love song about the pain of longing for someone who is always leaving and never truly returning. The title translates to "Love is Dying" in English, and the repeated phrases "dal'uzohamba" and "dal'uzobuya" mean "they will go" and "they will come back" respectively. The singer's lover is like a cigarette that she cannot resist, even though it is slowly killing her. She sings that her love is consumed like a cigarette, and it is fading away. The repeated line "Tyhini ndihlutshwa" means "I am hurt" and conveys the singer's deep emotional pain.

The chorus repeats multiple times throughout the song, with the singer lamenting her lover's leaving and returning. She knows that her love is dying, but she cannot help herself from crying and feeling the pain. The last verse changes slightly, with the singer realizing that her love is like a cigarette as she repeats the chorus. Makeba's voice is haunting and emotive, perfectly capturing the sadness and sorrow of the lyrics.

Uthando LuyaphelaMiriam Makeba & The Skylarks Lyrics

Uthando Luyaphela
Miriam Makeba & The Skylarks Lyrics