The Lion Sleep Tonight
Token Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh
A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh
A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh
A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh

In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
In the jungle, the quiet jungle
The lion sleeps tonight

A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh
A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh
A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh
A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh

Near the village, the peaceful village
The lion sleeps tonight
Near the village, the quiet village
The lion sleeps tonight

A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh
A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh
A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh
A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh

Hush, my darling, don't fear, my darling
The lion sleeps tonight
Hush, my darling, don't fear, my darling
The lion sleeps tonight

A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh
A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh




A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh
A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh

Overall Meaning

The classic song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” expresses a calming message about overcoming fears and worries, evoking the image of the majestic king of the jungle resting peacefully in his habitat. The song begins with the repetitive chant “a-weema-weh” which is believed to be inspired by the traditional South African Zulu song “Mbube” (meaning lion in Zulu), to which the original melody of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” owes its roots. The song then introduces its main protagonist, the lion, who is sleeping in the jungle, surrounded by the quietness and the serenity of nature.


The second verse takes us to a nearby village, where the lion continues to sleep, accompanied by the gentle sounds of the wind and the calm atmosphere of the surrounding area. The lyrics suggest that the villagers are not in any danger, as the lion slumbers peacefully, filling the space with a sense of calm and serenity. The song concludes with the repeated chorus and the words “Hush, my darling, don’t fear, my darling, the lion sleeps tonight,” offering comfort and reassurance to the listener that all is well, and they too can rest easy despite their concerns.


Overall, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” conveys a soothing message and encourages listeners to find inner peace in moments of anxiety or unease.


Line by Line Meaning

A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh
Repetitive chant, without any discernible meaning


In the jungle, the mighty jungle
Refers to the vast and dense forests of Africa which are home to the king of the jungle, the lion.


The lion sleeps tonight
Indicates that the lion is resting in the safety and comfort of his natural habitat.


In the jungle, the quiet jungle
Describes the hushed atmosphere of the tropical wilderness and the peace that comes with the absence of human noise and activity.


Near the village, the peaceful village
The lion is far from the urbanized world and the turmoil that comes with it, in the serenity of a rural settlement.


Hush, my darling, don't fear, my darling
A lullaby-like refrain that assures loved ones that there is no danger from the sleeping lion.




Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: George David Weiss, Hugo E Peretti, Luigi Creatore, Solomon Linda

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 comments from YouTube:

@elder753

If anyone needs a bit more context for the original:

The original song was called Mbube (literally Lion in Zulu) by Solomon Linda and the Evening Birds.
This English version is actually the 3rd version of the song.
Although Solomon’s work was treated as public domain by the Americans and he only received $1k throughout his life. In February 2006, Linda's descendants reached a legal settlement with Abilene Music Publishers, who held the worldwide rights and had licensed the song to Disney, to place the earnings of the song in a trust. The copyright issues were updated in the 2018 TV movie, "Remastered: The Lion's Share".

The 2nd English version (by the Weavers in 51) was called Wimoweh, a mishearing of the original lyrics of the chorus "Uyimbube", meaning "You're a lion" in Zulu.

Hope this doesn’t take away from what is an amazing song.



@Hunter_Roblox901

LYRICS


Weeheeheehee dee heeheeheehee weeoh aweem away
Weeheeheehee dee heeheeheehee weeoh aweem away
In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
In the jungle the quiet jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
Wee heeheehee weeoh aweem away
Wee heeheehee weeoh aweem away
Near the village, the peaceful village
The lion sleeps tonight
Near the village, the quiet village
The lion sleeps tonight
Wee heeheeheehee weeoh aweem away
Rrr, la la la weeoh aweem away
Hush, my darling, don't fear, my darling,
The lion sleeps tonight
Hush, my darling, don't fear, my darling,
The lion sleeps tonight
Wah oh oh, wah oh oh, wah oh wimoweh
Weeheeheehee dee heeheeheehee weeoh aweem away
Weeheeheehee dee heeheeheehee weeoh aweem away



All comments from YouTube:

@aidenscomputers

When you’re having a staring contest with a doll and you win

@Thetasteoforange

Oh that's gre-TWO KIDS GONNA DIE TONIGHT!!

@stummstefan9735

Looool

@memalinimoirangthem4167

That's kind a creepy 🤣

@songsalon7868

😭😭😭😭

@imamango8472

hol up

86 More Replies...

@DeadhunterThe

Fun Fact: "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is slang for "The Evil King is Dead."

@funniestguy

What

@DeadhunterThe

@@funniestguy It's true. This song was originally an African lullaby that mothers sang to their kids to assure them they were safe from a once powerful tyrannical king that ruled with an iron fist after he died. They also started singing it again after Hitler died.

@DeadhunterThe

@f r No. This is an ancient African lullaby sang when a tyrannical African king died, and was sang even more loudly when Hitler was killed.

More Comments

More Versions