The Lion Sleeps Tonight
The London Theatre Orchestra and Cast Lyrics
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'Til the morning light
Oh baby sleep tonight
It's gonna be alright
I'll be there when you learn to crawl
And when you're walking like a wind up doll
Sweet girl of mine
I'll be with you on your first day of school
And in the summer when you pee in the pool
Sweet girl of mine
Sleep tonight
'Til the morning light
I'm gonna hate it when you have your first date
Good or bad there ain't no way I'm gonna like him
Sweet girl of mine
And when you're twenty one I'll buy your first beer
Sit, look back and laugh at all those years with you
Sweet girl of mine
Sleep tonight
'Til the morning light
When you're 40 I'll be crippled and old
But don't you put me in a nursing home, oh no
Sweet girl of mine
Sleep tonight
'Til the morning light
Oh baby sleep tonight
It's gonna be alright
The lyrics of The Lion Sleeps Tonight by The London Theatre Orchestra and Cast are a heartfelt message from a father to his daughter. The song is full of tender moments and milestones that he wishes to share with her, from watching her learn to crawl, to buying her first beer on her 21st birthday. The father promises to always be there for his daughter, even when she's all grown up and he's old and feeble, he still wants to be with her and never wants to be put in a nursing home. The refrain "Sleep tonight, 'til the morning light, Oh baby sleep tonight, It's gonna be alright" is a soothing message to his daughter that everything will be okay.
The song captures the essence of the relationship between a parent and child, a bond that lasts a lifetime. The father is willing to experience all the difficult moments with his daughter, including her first date, and her embarrassing moments like peeing in the pool as a child. This unconditional love is what the song is all about, the father's desire to always be there for his daughter, no matter what. The Lion Sleeps Tonight may be a popular tune that's often used in movies and advertisements, but in this version, the lyrics give a new and emotional meaning to the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Sleep tonight
Rest well, go to sleep and have a peaceful night.
'Til the morning light
Sleep soundly throughout the night until the first rays of the sun break through.
Oh baby sleep tonight
My dear child, please rest and sleep comfortably tonight.
It's gonna be alright
Don't you worry about anything; everything will be fine in due time.
I'll be there when you learn to crawl
I'll be there to witness your first movement toward independence.
And when you're walking like a wind up doll
And when you're learning to walk, taking small steps like a toy robot.
Sweet girl of mine
You are my precious daughter, and I love you dearly.
I'll be with you on your first day of school
I'll be there to guide and support you on your first day of school.
And in the summer when you pee in the pool
And when you let loose in the pool during the hot summer months.
I'm gonna hate it when you have your first date
I'm not looking forward to the day when you start dating someone.
Good or bad there ain't no way I'm gonna like him
Regardless of whether he's a good or bad person, I won't approve of him.
And when you're twenty one I'll buy your first beer
When you turn 21, I'll get you your first legal drink and reminisce about our time together.
Sit, look back and laugh at all those years with you
We'll sit together, reminisce about the past, and laugh about all the happy moments we shared.
When you're 40 I'll be crippled and old
When you're 40, I may have health issues that come with aging.
But don't you put me in a nursing home, oh no
But please don't send me to a retirement home for the elderly.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LUCY SCHWARTZ, JOHN HANSON, STEPHEN PASCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind