Waka Waka
Shakira / Freshlyground Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You're a good soldier
Choosing your battles
Pick yourself up and dust yourself off and back in the saddle
You're on the front line
Everyone's watching
You know it's serious we're getting closer, this isn't over

The pressure is on
You feel it
But you've got it all
Believe it

When you fall get up oh oh
And if you fall get up eh eh

Tsamina mina zangalewa
'Cause this is Africa

Tsamina mina eh eh
Waka waka eh eh

Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa

Listen to your God
This is our motto
Your time to shine don't wait in line y vamos por todo

People are raising
Their expectations
Go on and feed them this is your moment no hesitations

Today's your day
I feel it
You paved the way
Believe it

If you get down get up oh oh
When you get down get up eh eh

Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa

Tsamina mina eh eh
Waka waka eh eh

Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa aa

Tsamina mina eh eh
Waka waka eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa

Ame la mejole biggi biggi mubbo wa A to Z
Asi tsu zala makyuni biggi biggi mubbo from East to West
Asi waga waga ma eh eh waga waga ma eh eh
Tendency suna tsibuye 'cause this is Africa (Africa, Africa Africa)

Tsamina mina
Anawa a a
Tsamina mina
Tsamina mina
Anawa a a

Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa a a
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa

Django eh eh
Django eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa a a

Django eh eh
Django eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa a a

This time for Africa
This time for Africa





We're all Africa
We're all Africa

Overall Meaning

The song 'Waka Waka' is originally sung by Shakira in collaboration with Freshlyground. The song was made for the FIFA World Cup 2010 and later gained massive popularity all around the world. The lyrical theme of the song is about winning and overcoming challenges. In the first verse, the singer encourages someone who is fighting a battle to pick themselves up and get back in the game. The songwriter wants to remind people that we are all fighting our own battles hence, one should never give up. As the song progresses, the chorus has a Zangalewa phrase which means ‘who invented that’. The phrase is taken from a Cameroonian soldiers' chant, which originated in the late 1980s, encouraging them to work harder. It conveys that African people are hardworking and can achieve anything if they put their mind to it.


The song further talks about how people are watching and raising expectations, and it is one's time to shine, and one should not hesitate. The phrase ‘Tsamina mina' is a Congolese term which means ‘Come come together.’ The phrase portrays a sense of uniting people and spreading positive energy. The similarities between the phrase 'Tsamina mina' and the sound that a whistle makes while calling someone to gather make the song catchy and easy to move to. The last verse of the song reminds people of their roots, which means that no matter where someone is from, they are all Africans at heart.


Line by Line Meaning

You're a good soldier
You're strong and resilient


Choosing your battles
You know which fights to pick


Pick yourself up and dust yourself off and back in the saddle
When you fall, you get back up and try again


You're on the front line
You're at the forefront of change


Everyone's watching
The world is paying attention


You know it's serious we're getting closer, this isn't over
This is a critical moment and we're nearing the end


The pressure is on
You can feel the weight of expectations


You feel it
The pressure is real


But you've got it all
You have the skills and ability to succeed


Believe it
Have faith in yourself


When you fall get up oh oh
Don't dwell on failure, get back up


And if you fall get up eh eh
Keep pushing forward, even when it's difficult


Tsamina mina zangalewa
Come, come, enjoy it


'Cause this is Africa
This is our home and we take pride in it


Tsamina mina eh eh
Come, come


Waka waka eh eh
Do it, do it


This time for Africa
We're doing this for our continent


Listen to your God
Trust in yourself and your beliefs


This is our motto
This is how we live our lives


Your time to shine don't wait in line y vamos por todo
Don't wait for others, seize the moment and give it your all


People are raising
Expectations are increasing


Their expectations
People are expecting big things from you


Go on and feed them this is your moment no hesitations
This is your time to shine, give it your all without hesitation


Today's your day
This is your time to make an impact


I feel it
There's something special happening here


You paved the way
You have the potential to be a trailblazer


If you get down get up oh oh
When you're feeling low, don't let it hold you down


When you get down get up eh eh
Keep pushing forward, even when it's tough


Anawa aa


Ame la mejole biggi biggi mubbo wa A to Z
We're all different, from A to Z, but we're all connected


Asi tsu zala makyuni biggi biggi mubbo from East to West
From East to West, we share a common humanity


Asi waga waga ma eh eh waga waga ma eh eh
Let's dance together, with joy and unity


Tendency suna tsibuye 'cause this is Africa (Africa, Africa Africa)
Celebrate your heritage and your culture, because it is unique and beautiful


Django eh eh


This time for Africa
We're doing this for our continent


We're all Africa
We're all connected and proud of our heritage




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN HILL, EMILE KOJIDIE, JEAN PAUL ZE BELL, EUGENE VICTOR DOOH BELLY, ZOLANI MAHOLA, SHAKIRA ISABEL MEBARAK RIPOLL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@apitkentangtv8734

You're a good soldier
Choosing your battles
Pick yourself up
And dust yourself off
Get back in the saddle

You're on the front line
Everyone's watching
You know it's serious
We're getting closer
This isn't over

The pressure's on
You feel it
But you got it all
Believe it

When you fall get up, oh oh
If you fall get up, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
'Cause this is Africa

Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa

Listen to your God
This is our motto
Your time to shine
Don't wait in line
Y vamos por todo

People are raising
Their expectations
Go on and feed them
This is your moment
No hesitation

Today's your day
I feel it
You paved the way
Believe it

If you get down get up, oh oh
When you get down get up, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa

Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa a a
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa

[Zolani:]
Ame la mejole biggi biggi mubbo wa A to Z
Asi tsu zala mejole biggi biggi mubbo from East to West
Bathi waka waka ma eh eh waka waka ma eh eh
Tendency suna tsibuye 'cause this is Africa...

Tsamina mina, Anawa a a
Tsamina mina
Tsamina mina, Anawa a a

Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa a a
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa

Django eh eh
Django eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa a a

Django eh eh
Django eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa a a

This time for Africa
This time for Africa

We're all Africa
We're all Africa



@parkbinna1997

🦋🦋

You're a good soldier
Choosing your battles
Pick yourself up and dust yourself off
And back in the saddle

You're on the front line
Everyone's watching
You know it's serious, we are getting closer
This isn't over

The pressure's on, you feel it
But you got it all, believe it

When you fall, get up, oh oh
And if you fall, get up, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
'Cause this is Africa

Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa

Listen to your God, this is our motto
Your time to shine, don't wait in line
Y vamos por todo

People are raising their expectations
Go on and feed them, this is your moment
No hesitations

Today's your day, I feel it
You paved the way, believe it

If you get down, get up, oh oh
When you get down, get up, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa

Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa ah ah

Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa

Awela majoni biggie biggie mamma one A to zet
Bathi tsu zala majoni biggie biggie mamma from East to West
Batsi, waka waka ma, eh eh
Waka waka ma, eh eh
Zonke zizwe mazi buye
'Cause this is Africa

Tsamina mina, anawa ah ah
Tsamina mina
Tsamina mina, anawa ah ah

Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa, ah ah

Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa

Django, eh eh
Django, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa ah ah

Django, eh eh
Django, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa ah ah

This time for Africa
This time for Africa
We're all Africa
We're all Africa



Love your self 💜



@user-oi2bh1px3u

You're a good soldier
Choosing your battles
Pick yourself up and dust yourself off and back in the saddle
You're on the front line
Everyone's watching
You know it's serious we're getting closer, this isn't over

The pressure is on
You feel it
But you've got it all
Believe it

When you fall get up oh oh
And if you fall get up oh oh

Tsamina mina zangalewa
'Cause this is Africa

Tsamina mina eh eh
Waka waka eh eh

Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa

Listen to your God
This is our motto
Your time to shine don't wait in line y vamos por todo

People are raising
Their expectations
Go on and feed them this is your moment no hesitations

Today's your day
I feel it
You paved the way
Believe it

If you get down get up oh oh
When you get down get up eh eh

Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa

Tsamina mina eh eh
Waka waka eh eh

Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa aa

Tsamina mina eh eh
Waka waka eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa

Ame la mejole biggi biggi mubbo wa A to Z
Asi tsu zala makyuni biggi biggi mubbo from East to West
Asi waga waga ma eh eh waga waga ma eh eh
Tendency suna tsibuye 'cause this is Africa (Africa, Africa Africa)

Tsamina mina,
Anawa a a
Tsamina mina
Tsamina mina,
Anawa a a

Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa a a
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa

Django eh eh
Django eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa a a

Django eh eh
Django eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa a a

This time for Africa
This time for Africa

We're all Africa
We're all Africa


Omg I never got over 5 likes!😱😱



@nicolehasselmolinapizana2327

You're a good soldier
Choosing your battles
Pick yourself up
And dust yourself off
And back in the saddle

You're on the front line
Everyone's watching
You know it's serious
We're getting closer
This isn't over

The pressure's on
You feel it
But you got it all
Believe it

When you fall, get up, oh, oh
If you fall, get up, eh, eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
'Cause this is Africa

Tsamina mina, eh, eh
Waka waka, eh, eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa

Listen to your God
This is our motto
Your time to shine
Don't wait in line
Y vamos por todo


People are raising
Their expectations
Go on and feed them
This is your moment
No hesitations

Today's your day
I feel it
You paved the way
Believe it

If you get down, get up, oh, oh
When you get down, get up, eh, eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa

Tsamina mina, eh, eh
Waka waka, eh, eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa, ah, ah

Tsamina mina, eh, eh
Waka waka, eh, eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa

Awabuye lamajoni, ipikipiki mama
Wa A to Z
Bathi susa lamajoni, ipikipiki mama
From East to West

Bathi waka waka ma, eh, eh
Waka waka ma, eh, eh
Zonk' izizwe mazibuye
'Cause this is Africa

(Tsamina mina)
(Anawa, ah, ah)
(Tsamina mina)
(Tsamina mina)
(Anawa, ah, ah)

Tsamina mina, eh, eh
Waka waka, eh, eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa, ah, ah

Tsamina mina, eh, eh



All comments from YouTube:

@MegaGames80

10 Years later, if you’re watching this you’re a legend come back again.

@seemamukherjee1918

Seriously

@orient5280

Wow

@vsevolodshabert4877

Welcome to the club

@shyjucshyjuc2453

@@vsevolodshabert4877 vnvgb

@shyjucshyjuc2453

@@vsevolodshabert4877 ggghbbjnm

13 More Replies...

@YourGurlCE

Your love for Africa even though you're Colombian is beautiful. Keep shining Shakira. May God bless you. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏

@mariobirtic2021

Oi565😂

@YourGurlCE

@@mariobirtic2021 huh?

@user-jb5ee4kz4g

Аа7п7апщпщ

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