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.
Neria
Oliver Mtukudzi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Usawore moyo ka Neria
Mwari anewe
Usawore moyo ka Neria
Mwari anewe
Mwari anewe ka Neria
Mwari anewe
Zwinoda moyo wekushinga
Usawore moyo ka Neria
Mwari anewe
Usawore moyo ka Neria
Mwari anewe
Mwari anewe ka Neria
Mwari anewe
Neria Neria ho
Usawore moyo ka Neria
Mwari anewe
Usawore moyo ka Neria
Mwari anewe
Shingaira ka Neria
Mwari anewe
Hupenyu imindupindu
Ngwarira mepo zwezwiiyedzo
Usawore moyo ka Neria
Mwari anewe
Usawore moyo ka Neria
Mwari anewe
Shingaira moyo shinga
Mwari anewe
Vhanukadzi vanopatwa senapwa
Kugara senderera
Usawore moyo ka Neria
Mwari anewe
Usawore moyo ka Neria
Mwari anewe
Shinga moyo shinga
Mwari anewe
Parufu runeshanje
Kutaura vanodanana
Usawore moyo handzwadzi
Mwari anewe
Usawore moyo ka Neria
Mwari anewe
Shinga moyo shinga
Mwari anewe
Neria Neria ho
Usawore moyo ka Neria
Mwari anewe
Usawore moyo handzwadzi
Mwari anewe
Shingirira ka Neria
Mwari anewe
Kufirwa nemurume handzwadzi
Zwinoda moyo wekushinga
Usawore moyo ka Neria
Mwari anewe aha
Usawore moyo ka Neria
Mwari anewe
Shinga moyo shinga
Mwari anewe
Hupenyu imindupindu
Ngwarira mepo yezwiyedzo
Usawore moyo Mwana we
Mwari anewe
Usawore moyo ka Neria
Mwari anewe
Shinga moyo shinga
Mwari anewe
The lyrics to Oliver Mtukudzi's Neria are a poignant appeal to a woman named Neria, urging her not to give up on life despite the challenges she is facing. The song describes the hardships that women in Zimbabwe face, including domestic violence and poverty, and encourages Neria to stay strong and to seek solace in her faith in God.
The opening lines of the song, "Neria Neria ho, Usawore moyo ka Neria, Mwari anewe," establish the tone of the song as one of empathy and understanding. The repetition of "Mwari Anewe" (God is with you) throughout the song serves as a reminder that Neria is not alone and that she has divine support.
The lines "Kufirwa nemurume handzwadzi, Zwinoda moyo wekushinga" acknowledge the brutal reality of domestic violence and its profound impact on women's lives. The song also acknowledges the economic and social hurdles that women face in Zimbabwe, including discrimination and poverty.
Overall, Neria is a powerful commentary on the struggles experienced by women in Zimbabwe and a reminder that women, like Neria, should be supported and encouraged to seek out a brighter future.
Line by Line Meaning
Neria Neria ho
Calling out to Neria
Usawore moyo ka Neria
Do not lose hope Neria, keep your spirit up
Mwari anewe
God is with you
Kufirwa nemurume handzwadzi
Being widowed is a difficult experience
Zwinoda moyo wekushinga
It requires a strong spirit to overcome
Shingaira ka Neria
Neria, be strong
Hupenyu imindupindu
Life is full of twists and turns
Ngwarira mepo zwezwiiyedzo
One needs to be cautious and wise
Shingaira moyo shinga
Be strong in spirit
Vhanukadzi vanopatwa senapwa
Women are mistreated and abused
Kugara senderera
To live a life of suffering
Shinga moyo shinga
Be strong in spirit
Parufu runeshanje
Death and conflict
Kutaura vanodanana
People speak and gossip
Usawore moyo handzwadzi
Do not lose hope in times of difficulty
Shingirira ka Neria
Be encouraged, Neria
Usawore moyo Mwana we
Do not lose hope, my child
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: OLIVER MTUKUDZI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tatm9896
Lyrics (Translated from Shona)
Neria, Neria oooohh
Don't lose heart, Neria
God is with you
Don't lose heart, Neria
God is with you
God is with you, Neria
God is with you
Losing your husband, sister
requires that you be of strong heart
Don't lose heart, Neria
God is with you
Don't lose heart, Neria
God is with you
God is with you, Neria
God is with you
Neria, Neria oooohh
Don't lose heart, Neria
God is with you
Don't lose heart, Neria
God is with you
God is with you, Neria
God is with you
Life is full of twists and turns
Beware of winds bringing trials/tribulations
Don't lose heart, Neria
God is with you
Don't lose heart, Neria
God is with you
God is with you, Neria
God is with you
Women are often treated as slaves
Living life like orphans
Don't lose heart, Neria
God is with you
Don't lose heart, Neria
God is with you
Be brave, oh heart, be brave
God is with you
Death is so jealous
Splitting up loved ones
Don't lose heart, my sister
God is with you
Don't lose heart, Neria
God is with you
Persevere, oh Neria
God is with you
Neria, Neria oooohh
Don't lose heart, Neria
God is with you
Don't lose heart, Neria
God is with you
Persevere, oh Neria
God is with you
@invinciblegoddess7092
[Verse 1: Oliver Mtukudzi]
Neria, Neria hoo
Usaore moyo ka Neria, Mwari anewe
Usaore moyo ka Neria, Mwari anewe
Mwari anewe ka Neria, Mwari anewe
Kufirwa nemurume hanzvadzi, zvinoda moyo wekushinga
Usaore moyo ka Neria, Mwari anewe
Usaore moyo ka Neria, Mwari anewe
Mwari anewe ka Neria, Mwari anewe
[Verse 2: Oliver Mtukudzi]
Neria, Neria hoo
Usaore moyo ka Neria, Mwari anewe
Usaore moyo ka Neria, Mwari anewe
Shinga moyo shinga, Mwari anewe
Hupenyu imhindupindu, ngwarira mhepo dzezviyedzo
Usaore moyo ka Neria, Mwari anewe
Usaore moyo ka Neria, Mwari anewe
Mwari anewe ka Neria, Mwari anewe
[Verse 3: Oliver Mtukudzi]
Vanhukadzi vanobatwa senhapwa, kugara senherera
Usaore moyo ka Neria, Mwari anewe
Usaore moyo ka Neria, Mwari anewe
Shinga moyo shinga, Mwari anewe
Rufu rwune shanje, kutsaura vanodanana
Usaore moyo hanzvadzi, Mwari anewe
Usaore moyo ka Neria, Mwari anewe
Shinga moyo shinga, Mwari anewe
@tatm9896
Lyrics (Translated from Shona)
Neria, Neria oooohh
Don't lose heart, Neria
God is with you
Don't lose heart, Neria
God is with you
God is with you, Neria
God is with you
Losing your husband, sister
requires that you be of strong heart
Don't lose heart, Neria
God is with you
Don't lose heart, Neria
God is with you
God is with you, Neria
God is with you
Neria, Neria oooohh
Don't lose heart, Neria
God is with you
Don't lose heart, Neria
God is with you
God is with you, Neria
God is with you
Life is full of twists and turns
Beware of winds bringing trials/tribulations
Don't lose heart, Neria
God is with you
Don't lose heart, Neria
God is with you
God is with you, Neria
God is with you
Women are often treated as slaves
Living life like orphans
Don't lose heart, Neria
God is with you
Don't lose heart, Neria
God is with you
Be brave, oh heart, be brave
God is with you
Death is so jealous
Splitting up loved ones
Don't lose heart, my sister
God is with you
Don't lose heart, Neria
God is with you
Persevere, oh Neria
God is with you
Neria, Neria oooohh
Don't lose heart, Neria
God is with you
Don't lose heart, Neria
God is with you
Persevere, oh Neria
God is with you
@Phaks100
+TatM thanks for the translation...I get teary whenever I listen to this song. After all these years it hasn't lost its touch.
@elshakes9943
thank you so much for the translation..i love these song
@vonniek6787
thank you. one of my favorites ever.
@zinhlenkabinde4904
thank you so much... my all time fav track
@neemaalphonce1333
thank you 🙋🙋
@tendaie7098
I’m leaving this comment so that whenever someone like it I will come back and listen to this masterpiece again. RIP Tuku!
@lapulga5075
Come back
@nashesachikonye9846
Come back
@tendaie7098
I am now learning the guitar codes of this song…not easy but a fulfilling process