Pages

Monday, April 17, 2023

Folk Song for November 2023: The Lion Sleeps Tonight

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!"

 

Our helpful intro post is sure to liven up your folk song adventures.

For more information on our folk songs, and for Amazon affiliate 
links to purchase individual songs, see our AO Folk Songs page.
These affiliate links help support AmblesideOnline.

2 comments:

  1. For a more thorough treatment on the story of this song, I suggest this article. https://performingsongwriter.com/lion-sleeps-tonight/

    ReplyDelete
  2. I suggest looking up a more detailed version of this song's story. Fascinating journey.

    ReplyDelete