The Story of This Song
The folk songs for September and October had roots going back beyond anyone’s remembering. This month’s song, however, is the opposite. The first version of the song, titled Mbube (Lion), was written and recorded by Solomon Linda and his singing group the Evening Birds,in 1939.
As the song seemed to evolve and take on a life of its own, first in Zulu and then in English, it was often mistaken (or misappropriated) as a traditional folk song. In 1949, Alan Lomax, the folk music director for Decca Records, played the record for Pete Seeger. Seeger’s group The Weavers recorded an adapted version of the song,calling it “Wimoweh”; and it became popular as well with other folk groups such as The Kingston Trio.
However, “Mbube/Wimoweh” had to undergo one more transformation before
it became “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” as we know it today. In 1961, RCA Records
hired composer George David Weiss to
arrange the song for the doo-wop group The Tokens. Weiss added some English
lines to the song that hadn’t existed before: "In the
jungle, the mighty jungle, The lion sleeps tonight" and
"Hush, my darling, don't fear, my darling."
It took until 2006 before the family of Solomon Linda came to a legal and financial agreement with the company who held the rights to the music. But there is one more twist: in 2012, “Mbube” (in its original version) fell into the public domain. The adapted song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” however, is still under copyright.
Singing It at Home
With all these versions, each more intricate than the last,
what is the best way to approach singing this song with your family?
Those with young children may enjoy this presentation by the
South African group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, from their children’s album Gift
of the Tortoise. It begins with a story (spoken by Gcina Mhlophe) and
moves into a simple, repetitive version of the song.
A family lived close to the jungle
At the end of the day they all sit together around the fire
They have their supper and relax and talk a little
The youngest boy becomes afraid
He hears all the sounds of the wild animals in the forest
Cheetahs, wolves, jackals and lions
He starts crying at the darkness
And wild sounds that fill him with fear
Then his mother takes him in her arms
And sings to him
The family is always strong together
They protect one another
Grandparents, his father and mother
Uncles, aunts, cousins, brothers and sisters
They all join and sing together
Soon he falls asleep, only the beautiful song fills his ears
Mbube, mbube, mbube, mbube
Mbube, mbube, mbube, mbube
In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
Hush, my baby, don't fear my darling
The lion sleeps tonight
Hush, my baby, don't fear my darling
The lion sleeps tonight
Mbube, mbube, mbube, mbube
Mbube, mbube, mbube, mbube
Mbube, mbube, mbube, mbube
Mbube, mbube, mbube, mbube
In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
Hush, my baby, don't fear my darling
The lion sleeps tonight
Hush, my baby, don't fear my darling
The lion sleeps tonight
Mbube, mbube, mbube, mbube
Mbube, mbube, mbube, mbube
Mbube
More Challenging Versions
Those with older children, or who are more familiar with
Zulu words, may enjoy looking on Youtube for live performances of the song by
Ladysmith Black Mambazo, or for their recording of the more original
“Mbube/Wimoweh” on their album Africa in Harmony. Here is anotherversion by the Soweto Gospel Choir.
Just a Fun
Version
From the
Muppets Tonight television series. Any tired parent could identify with
this lion. "Come on guys, I've gotta work in the morning!"
For a more thorough treatment on the story of this song, I suggest this article. https://performingsongwriter.com/lion-sleeps-tonight/
ReplyDeleteI suggest looking up a more detailed version of this song's story. Fascinating journey.
ReplyDelete