Wimoweh
Pete Seeger and the Weavers Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh, wimoweh
Wimoweh

Wimoweh
Wimoweh

Wimoweh
Wimoweh

Wimoweh
Wimoweh

Wimoweh
Wimoweh

Wimoweh
Wimoweh

Wimoweh
Wimoweh

Oh le oh la
Wimoweh

Wimoweh
Wimoweh

Wimoweh
Wimoweh

Wimoweh
Wimoweh

Oh le oh la la

Wimoweh
Wimoweh

Wimoweh
Wimoweh

Wimoweh
Wimoweh

Wimoweh

Oh oh oh oh oh la la la la

Wimoweh

Wimoweh
Wimoweh

Wimoweh
Wimoweh

Wimoweh
Wimoweh

Oh oh oh oh oh la la la la

Wimoweh
Wimoweh

Wimoweh
Wimoweh

Wimoweh
Wimoweh

Oh le oh ba ba

Wimoweh
Wimoweh

Wimoweh
Wimoweh

Wimoweh

Oh

Wimoweh
Wimoweh

Wimoweh
Wimoweh

Wimoweh
Wimoweh

Ah

Oh oh oh oh oh la la la

Wimoweh
Wimoweh

Wimoweh
Wimoweh

Wimoweh

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh

Wimoweh
Wimoweh

Wimoweh
Wimoweh

Wimoweh
Wimoweh





Wimoweh

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Pete Seeger's song Wimoweh are not telling a story, but rather a series of sounds and words that create a feeling and rhythm. The repetition of "Wimoweh" throughout the song serves as a kind of chant or chorus that is both energetic and joyful. The addition of "oh le oh la" and "oh oh oh oh" also creates a feeling of celebration and community. The song is a mix of different languages and cultures, which enhances the feeling of unity. The lyrics are meant to be sung and danced to, with the focus on the sounds and rhythm rather than the meaning behind the words.


Overall, the lyrics to Wimoweh are meant to create a feeling of joy and celebration through the use of repetition and a mix of different languages and cultures.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, wimoweh
The song starts with the repetition of the word 'wimoweh' in a rhythmic pattern, serving as a call to action or getting everyone's attention.


Wimoweh
Continued repetition of 'wimoweh' to create a musical rhythm and to build up anticipation for the next lyrics.


Oh le oh la
A phrase that has no direct meaning but is used to create a tropical, upbeat vibe and add to the overall atmosphere of the song.


Wimoweh
Repetition of the word 'wimoweh' as it progresses to create a crescendo effect, building excitement for the next part of the song.


Oh le oh la la
Continuation of the meaningless phrase added for rhythm and style purposes.


Oh oh oh oh oh la la la la
Another meaningless phrase accompanied by a catchy melody to create an unforgettable moment in the song.


Oh le oh ba ba
Another meaningless phrase used for its rhythmic value and to maintain the song's tropical and upbeat feel.


Wimoweh
Final repetition of 'wimoweh,' which continues to serve as a rhythmic element and a memorable catchphrase in the song.


Oh
A simple exclamation that marks the end of the song.


Ah
Another exclamation that provides a concluding effect to the song and emphasizes the overall upbeat and lively atmosphere.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: FRED HELLERMAN, LEE HAYS, LINDA SEEGER, LINDA SOLOMAN, RONNIE GILBERT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@vetb882

HISTORY LESSON

Zulu singer and study Solomon Linda recorded this song and even he never "took credit" for it because the melody is from an old Zulu funeral dirge for their Warrior King, Shake.

He was thought to be a god and unable to be killed. The British could NEVER defeat him and the Zulus in Fair battle so they did what colonialists have always done ...
They resorted to trickery and deceit.
They convinced his step brothers to betray and assassinate him, promising them the leadership of the Zulu Nation. Like Caesar, he was betrayed by back stabbing traitors.

The LION in the Lion Sleeps Tonight is Shaka. You can imagine their the Zulus utter disbelief that he was actually dead. They mourned over him for days.
There IS a sadness to this song in any version of it this give testimony to it's true origins.

Solomon Linda yourself in relativeobscurity until a record company looking to make money off him recorded the song. So even though no one knows who the original creator of the melody was Solomon Linda was the first person to put it to record, which innocence is like a copyright.

When folk singer Pete Seeger it became a moderate hit, but it took some kids from Brooklyn under the name the the tokens for the song to really take off into the stratosphere.

Decades later Disney resurfaced the song in the hot amounted feature film The Lion King.
Years later, a South African journalist was researching the origin of the song and was led to Solomon's descendants.
The article inspired a South African lawyer to now take up the matter and he reached out to the family.

The rest is history as all the money (huge amounts) made by others without compensation or credit to Solomon Linda won them the case and several million dollars.

Not wouldn't it have been simpler to just do the right thing and pay the man what he deserved?

But there is another side I want to share. God will take ANYTHING used to hurt someone of faith and will turn it around to bless them...and if not them then their generations will be blessed. Solomon's daughters and grandchildren are not living in poverty anymore. Yaay. ✊😏🤗

The other thing is, EVERYTHING happens for a reason. Option 2, had the thieving creeps paid Solomon fairly, that money would've surely the out after a while. The money the Linda family recovered from Disney and other entire ensures they don't have to work if they don't want to.

Life is so strange...
https://youtu.be/mrrQT4WkbNE



All comments from YouTube:

@Karmah01

If it weren't for Solomon Linda we would have never had the pleasure of this song.

@peternicholson233

A shame for you; I grew up with this.

@vetb882

THANK YOU for admitting the truth. See my comment and the back story behind this amazing song.

@iriskirkman180

Fascinating story, all too common a theme in the 20th century music industry.

@dutchstang05

point taken there

@risasb

IIRC Pete credited Solomon and did not know Decca had not paid him. He did so out of pocket when he found out, years later. There have been very few like Pete. _()_

7 More Replies...

@kdj24370

The original is actually a short chant from Africa called Mbube. The real creator (Solomon Linda) of this song was never given credit.

@erict956

His family have finally got justice and recognition for Solomon

@simban00

tThis version and hers sound nothing alike. why should she get credit?

@erict956

@@simban00 firstly Solomon Linda was a man and secondly everyone and I mean everyone recognises him as the originator of the song which is why his family should rightly get the royalties.

More Comments

More Versions