Mtukudzi released his debut single, "Stop After Orange," in 1975. Two years later, he began performing with the Wagon Wheels, a group who also featured Thomas Mapfumo. By 1979, he had left to pursue a solo career. Taking several of the band's musicians with him, he formed a new group, the Black Spirits. Their debut single, "Dzandimomotera," sold enough copies to qualify for gold record status. As a solo artist, Mtukudzi had his first successes shortly after Zimbabwe declared its independence in 1980. His debut solo album, Africa, included two hits: "Zimbabwe" and "Mazongonyedze." Mtukudzi has consistently balanced his musical career with his passion for film and drama. In addition to appearing in several documentaries on Zimbabwean music, including the BBC-produced Under African Skies and The Soul of the Mbira, he starred in Jit, the first film featuring an all-Zimbabwean cast. He also played a prominent role in, as well as composed and arranged the soundtrack for, Zimbabwe's second film, Neria. His work earned him a M'Net award for Best Soundtrack of 1992. Mtukudzi subsequently wrote and directed the musical production Was My Child (Plight of Street Children). With the accompaniment of the Black Spirits or the 12-piece supergroup Mahube, Mtukuduzi continued to tour and record.
The album Mahube was released in October 1998. The album Tuku Music, spent 11 weeks at the top of the CMJ New World Music charts. After the album's release, Mutukudzi toured the United States and Canada, along with Taj Mahal and Toumani Diabate and Baaba Maal, as part of Africa Fête 1999. The album Paivepo reached the top position on Zimbabwe's music charts the first week after its release in November 1999.
Gondo
Oliver Mtukudzi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rinofunga chero marara
Gondo rashaya ndiyo rineshungu iri
Rinopunga chero marara
Hurombo hurombo (usaite segondo)
(rinofunga chero marara)
Hurombo hurombo (usaite segondo)
Nai amai gondo rapotsa ndiyo rineshungu
Rinofunga chero marara
Gondo rashaya ndiyo rineshungu iri
Rinopunga chero marara
Kunetseka unganetseke hako sei (usaite segondo)
(rinofunga chero marara)
Kutambura ungatambure hako sei (usaite segondo)
(rinofunga chero marara)
Nai amai gondo rapotsa ndiyo rineshungu iri
Rinofunga chero marara
Gondo rashaya ndiyo rineshungu
Rinopunga chero marara
Gondo rapotsa ndiyo rineshungu
Rinofunga chero marara
Gondo rashaya ndiyo rineshungu iri
Rinopunga chero marara
Kuswero gununguna gununguna (usaite segondo)
(rinofunga chero marara)
Kugaro gununguna gununguna (usaite segondo iwe)
(rinofunga chero marara)
Nai amai gondo rapotsa ndiyo rineshungu
Rinofunga chero marara
Gondo rashaya ndiyo rineshungu iri
Rinopunga chero marara
Nai amai gondo rapotsa ndiyo rineshungu
Rinofunga chero marara
Gondo rashaya ndiyo rineshungu iri
Rinopunga chero marara
The lyrics of Oliver Mtukudzi's song "Gondo" are sung in Shona, a Bantu language spoken in Zimbabwe. The song tells a story of a person who is struggling with the pain and burden of life. The word "gondo" is used metaphorically to represent this burden, which is weighing heavily on the person's shoulders.
The first two lines of the song translate to "Gondo is heavy, it's painful, it's always thinking even when it's tired." This suggests that the person's burden is not only physical but also emotional and mental. The next two lines talk about how the burden has made the person tired and drained them of energy.
The chorus of the song repeats the lines "Hurombo hurombo (usaite segondo)" and "Nai amai gondo rapotsa ndiyo rineshungu," which mean "Keep on walking (don't stop)" and "Mother, gondo is heavy, it's painful." This provides encouragement to the person to keep walking forward and not give up despite the weight of their burden.
The verse that follows talks about how difficult it is to cope with the burden, but the person is urged not to give up. The final verse repeats the same lines as the beginning of the song, emphasizing that the burden is still heavy and painful.
Overall, "Gondo" is a poignant song that conveys the struggle of dealing with life's hardships and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Gondo rapotsa ndiyo rineshungu
The pot breaks and that is painful
Rinofunga chero marara
It still thinks of the shattered pieces
Gondo rashaya ndiyo rineshungu iri
The pot leaks and that is painful
Rinopunga chero marara
It still holds onto the hope of being fixed
Hurombo hurombo (usaite segondo)
Be patient (don't hurry)
(rinofunga chero marara)
It still thinks of the shattered pieces
Nai amai gondo rapotsa ndiyo rineshungu
Oh mother, the pot breaks and that is painful
Kunetseka unganetseke hako sei (usaite segondo)
If you fall, don't stay down (be patient)
(rinofunga chero marara)
It still thinks of the shattered pieces
Kutambura ungatambure hako sei (usaite segondo)
If you're going to walk, keep walking (be patient)
(rinofunga chero marara)
It still thinks of the shattered pieces
Gondo rashaya ndiyo rineshungu
The pot leaks and that is painful
Rinopunga chero marara
It still holds onto the hope of being fixed
Kuswero gununguna gununguna (usaite segondo)
Always keep moving forward (be patient)
(rinofunga chero marara)
It still thinks of the shattered pieces
Kugaro gununguna gununguna (usaite segondo iwe)
Keep pushing forward (be patient)
(rinofunga chero marara)
It still thinks of the shattered pieces
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Saxton
on Ziwere
I’m Shona and these lyrics are totally wrong. This song has no reference to intimacy. Tiki never sang along those lines
MuLUMICHIMPI MUYANDA
on Raki
you miss leading people about the meaning of the song raki..... Oliver was wandering how lucky some are and where luck comes from and who gives luck basically... not about the traditional beer no no!
Masibae Shumbaress
on Nyanga Yenzou (Munoshusha)
Lol the person who translated this is definitely not native. FYI Zim used to use English money (ma Pondo) pounds prior to independence. Basically the singer (a son-in-law) who paid bride price in full is complaining that his Father-in-law (tezvara) keeps trying to extort him (Nyanga ye nzou and chipembere, elephant tusk and rhino horn respectively are illegal so how can the son-in-law meet the unreasonable demands?)
Ransom M
on Mbiri hurimbo
I'm afraid the translation is off by quite a margin. This song is about being famous and the consequences of fame. He basically implies that if he had known the consequences of being famous he might not have pursued the career he pursued. He speaks of how God gave some talents or gifts that allow them to enjoy success peacefully. He likens fame to "hurimbo", a sticky substance used to trap birds. He also, in the first verse uses the metaphor of an owl, saying "If I'd recognized an owl while it was still a chick, I would have said 'No way', because rearing it has consequences." Owls are viewed as bad omens, creatures used in witchcraft, bad luck like a black cat. So yeah, the translation is way off.
Ransom M
on Mbiri hurimbo
Fame is a trap
Ransom M
on Mbiri hurimbo
I would have said no in the first place
Ransom M
on Mbiri hurimbo
Some you gave gifts, gifts with no fame
Tman
on Mbiri hurimbo
Any one can give the meaning of Jehova une Masimba
Juliet David
on Hakuna Zita
Lots of love from Port Harcourt Nigeria. I love his all his music too much
Kalala
on Vachakunonokera
Great song , especially the jazz kick