I Shall Be Released
miriam makeba ft. nina simone Lyrics
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THULASIZWE UNGABOKHALA
You JEHOVA WAKHO UZOKUNQOBELA
INKULULEKO, INKULULEKO
You JEHOVA WAKHO UZOKUNQOBELA
Yet every distance is not near
So I remember every face
Of every man who put me here
I see the light come shining
From the west unto the east
Any day now any day now
I shall be released
They say every man needs protection
They say every man must fall
Yet I swear I see my reflection
Some place too high above this wall
Now yonder standing me in this lonely crowd
A man who swears he's not to blame
ALl day long I hear his voice shouting so loud
Crying out that he was framed
I see the light come shining
From the west unto the east
Any day now any day now
I shall be released
Miriam Makeba's song "Thulasizwe" is a traditional South African song that seeks to inspire hope and faith in the face of difficult circumstances. The chorus, "Thulasizwe ungabokhala, uJehova wakho uzokunqobela," which translates to "Be still, don't cry, your Lord will conquer for you," encourages listeners to trust in God's promises and have faith that He will overcome obstacles in their lives.
The second verse, however, takes a more melancholic turn as the singer reflects on past hurts and injustices, singing "I remember every face, of every man who put me here." The following lines, "I see the light come shining, from the west unto the east, any day now any day now, I shall be released," suggest that despite the trials and tribulations of the present, a brighter future is on the horizon.
It is interesting to note that although "Thulasizwe" is a traditional song, it was popularized internationally by Makeba during her exile from South Africa due to her outspoken opposition to apartheid. Makeba performed the song at the United Nations in 1963 and it became a symbol of hope and resistance for anti-apartheid activists around the world. Additionally, Makeba recorded a version of the song in English titled "I Shall Be Released" which featured additional lyrics by Bob Dylan.
Line by Line Meaning
THULASIZWE UNGABOKHALA
Quiet, nation, don't cry
You JEHOVA WAKHO UZOKUNQOBELA
God will protect you
INKULULEKO, INKULULEKO
Freedom, freedom
They say everything can be replaced
People say that anything can be substituted
Yet every distance is not near
But not everything far away is easily accessible
So I remember every face
Therefore, I recall every person's appearance
Of every man who put me here
Of all the men who played a role in my current situation
I see the light come shining
I notice the brightness that emerges
From the west unto the east
From the direction of the west to the east
Any day now any day now
At any moment, very soon
I shall be released
I will be freed
They say every man needs protection
People say that everyone requires safeguarding
They say every man must fall
People say that everyone has to experience defeat
Yet I swear I see my reflection
However, I am convinced that I see myself reflected
Some place too high above this wall
Somewhere that is higher than this barrier
Now yonder standing me in this lonely crowd
Over there, in that lonely group of people, stands me
A man who swears he's not to blame
A man who claims that he is not responsible for the situation
All day long I hear his voice shouting so loud
Throughout the day, I hear his loud, shouting voice
Crying out that he was framed
He is proclaiming that he was set up
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@davidsaul67
We can not say goodbye,our great father Nelson Madiba Mandela of South Africa but thank u for struggle for African liberation,with good song of Miriam Makeba by David Kairanya Saul from Serengeti Tanzania 🇹🇿🇹🇿🇹🇿
@LucianaOliveira-ck5qd
Que linda história de vida Makeba! Soube pela Rita Von Hunty. Grata! 💚
@teddy0734
Zwei großartige Frauen mit großartigen Stimmen und
einer Einstellung für die sie einstehen.
@primadonna4535
2 Great legends- Nina and Mirriam
@cynthiaisaacks5759
Rest in peace Legends
@tomlove1081
Miriam is full with love always when she sings and performs.That love we can get and share for everybody who we meet in our life.Than you mama Miriam you will not never die.You live for ever and ever in eternity.
@dickvanlunteren8953
3 Great Legends: Nina, Miriam and Bob
@cetossa
Chaque fois que je regarde et ecoute ceci, j'ai la chair de poule...
RIP mes frères tués au Maghreb récemment, voulant(et croyant) fuir la misère... 😢
@dotuiciij1785
A luta continua. Thanks for this great song. Legend Makeba and Legend Nina Simone. ❤
@nhlanhlanene4847
South African Queen of music. Rest well mama