South African Singer Vusi Mahlasela, born 1965 in Pretoria, is known as "t… Read Full Bio ↴South African Singer Vusi Mahlasela, born 1965 in Pretoria, is known as "the Voice" and hails from the township of Mamelodi. He has been featured in the South African music documentary "Amandla!" and has lent his vocal skills to the soundtrack of the Academy Award winning South African Film "Tsotsi".
many in the anti-apartheid movement. His themes include the struggle for freedom, and forgiveness and reconciliation with enemies. Vusi can also be heard performing on Warren Haynes' [Gov't Mule, The Allman Brothers Band] Live at Bonnaroo release during the song "Soulshine", and the Dave Matthews Band song, "Everyday", from the album of the same name as well as a live version of the song with him which appears on the album The Best of What's Around Vol. 1. Vusi was also one of the performers at the Live 8 concerts.

Vusi played a very mellow pre-lunch solo set to an appreciative audience (those capable of functioning at that hour) at the 2004 Falls Festival that was concluded with a superb performance of 'Red Song' in The Big Top, before joining Xavier Rudd on the main Valley Stage to a raptuous reception.

His album The Voice includes the popular track "Weeping", recorded with Josh Groban and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Vusi joined Mambazo for their October-November UK tour in 2004, and will join them again for their 2007 UK tour, again from October to November 2007 [1].

He and other South African musicians took part in the 2002 documentary Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony where they recalled the days of Apartheid.

In June 2007, Mahlasela spoke of apartheid and performed "Thula Mama" at the TED Conference.

On 7 July 2007 Mahlasela performed at the South African leg of Live Earth.

His most recent album, Guiding Star, as Naledi Ya Tsela (the name under which it is released in South Africa) won him the 2007 SAMA for Best Male Artist.

Discography
When You Come Back 1992
Wisdom of Forgiveness 1994
Silang Mabele 1997
Live at the Bassline 1999
Miyela Afrika 2000
Jungle of Questions (with the Proud Peoples Band) 2000
Soundtrack: Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony 2002
Compilations: The Voice (Vusi Mahlasela album) 2003
Soundtrack: Tsotsi 2005
Naledi Ya Tsela (Guiding Star) 2007

Sleep Tight Margaret
Vusi Mahlasela Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Life is not exactly like a story
It is never once upon a time
No sooner does a bad thing happen
Then something good comes in
Oh! Margaret, there’s always hope in life
Just put on a brave face
And the good will return to you
With a little time

Sleep tight Margaret
Girl don’t you worry
You will always come against the tide
Some days are golden
While some are just stones
Let the bed and the pillow comfort your cries
Like a cloud
Carry you to a new day

New day, new life
New day, releasing the misfortunes
That carried us through yesterday
New day, new life

Girl don’t you worry
You will always come against the tide
Some days are golden
While some are just stones
Let the bed and the pillow comfort your cries
Like a cloud
Carry you to a new day
New day, new life
New day

Thula thula
Thul'ulale
Ungabo khala mntakwethu

And all that pain from all things that we've suffered
Thula thula (You look so dear)
Ungabo khala
Bhekezela Mntakwethu

Thula thula
Thula ulale
Thula thula
Thul'ulale
Ungabo khala Mntakwethu

Thula thula
Ungabo khala
Bhekezela Mntakwethu

Thula thula
Thul'ulale

Thula thula
Thul'ulale
Ungabo khala Mntakwethu

And all that pain from all things that we'd suffered
Thula thula (You look so dear)

Overall Meaning

The song "Sleep Tight Margaret" by Vusi Mahlasela is a message of hope and encouragement to a woman named Margaret who may be going through difficult times. The opening lines of the song "Life is not exactly like a story, it is never once upon a time, no sooner does a bad thing happen, then something good comes in" implies that life is unpredictable and that bad things happen. The message then switches to advice on how Margaret can improve or cope with her situation. The lyrics encourage her to put up a brave face and certainly, she will overcome her misfortune with time.

Mahlasela switches from English to Zulu language and the phrase "Thula thula" which means "be quiet or hush" is repeated four times. The song then proceeds to advise Margaret to find comfort in her bed and pillow as if she were in a cloud which will carry her into a new and better day. The lyrics "Some days are golden, while some are just stones" suggests that some days are better than others, but ultimately, there is always hope for a better tomorrow. In spite of the language change, the song maintains the same message of hope and encouragement for Margaret.

Line by Line Meaning

Life is not exactly like a story
Life is not as simple and straightforward as a story

It is never once upon a time
Life never starts like a fairytale

No sooner does a bad thing happen
As soon as something bad happens

Then something good comes in
Something good happens to balance it out

Oh! Margaret, there’s always hope in life
There is hope in every situation, Margaret

Just put on a brave face
Be courageous and strong

And the good will return to you
Good things will happen to you again

With a little time
It just needs some time

Sleep tight Margaret
Have a peaceful sleep, Margaret

Girl don’t you worry
Don't worry, my dear

You will always come against the tide
You will always face difficulties