.mbube.

it means lion in zulu and is one of the most heard songs for us. except that we know it as 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight'. here are a few renditions that gave me goosebumps.

isnt the female lead's pronounciation simply mindblowing? so raw and untainted. 

now, onto the next singer. this next lady is considered a legend in africa for her singing prowress. and after listening to this song, you'll know why. this version is also apparently the way the original way its meant to sound. it sounds lovely and if you dont already, will give you reason to love and explore african music.

here, is the version you and i are most accustomed to hearing.

and here, is what the post is incomplete without.

i dont know about you, but when i was a kid, the opening words to this song, whatever they mean, were the most meaningful and moving words i'd ever heard (i also tried to sing them to the best of my ability for years. i have never succeeded).

this movie remains to this day, one of my most treasured and loved, and a part of me will always hate national geographic for exposing the fact that lions and the other animals dont live in harmony and eat each other, when in Lion King they clearly love and revere each other.

1994 was the best year, because of this movie. really.

also, here are the lyrics of the song. because i love them.

"Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba [Here comes a lion, Father]
Sithi uhm ingonyama [Oh yes, it's a lion]
Siyo Nqoba [We're going to conquer]
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala [A lion and a leopard come to this open place]

From the day we arrive on the planet
And blinking, step into the sun
There's more to see than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done
There's far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But the sun rolling high
Through the sapphire sky
Keeps great and small on the endless round

It's the Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life"