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That's because the more fitting translation would be that "The Lion is coming, father," which is also the word the Zulu use for king. For starters, use Google and you'll learn the Zulu word for a "lion" is ibhubesi, not ingonyama. Literally, the line says "a lion is coming, father." But instead of laughing at the seemingly mundane meaning, remember: translating the words isn't the same as translating the idea being communicated. Once the shock of seeing what syllables and words are actually being belted out over images of a savannah sunrise, the translation of both the first line, and the chorus' response seems obvious. "Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba/Sithi uhm ingonyama" So allow us to share the explanation for those very lines, which can be heard sung in Lebo M.'s own voice in the film's opening. With a tease like that, knowing what those lines translated to should be downright irresistible. And then later we said 'well what does it mean?' and when he explained the translation.
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Hans played the musical track and Lebo and his two friends started this chant, the 'Ingonyama ingwe' enamabala.' And it was just magic. Then he came back and he said, 'OK, I'm ready' - and it was all in African. And he got very thoughtful, and he walked away, and he started jotting notes on a piece of paper. The first question he asked us was 'what is the movie about?' And Roger and I explained to him, we said it's a story about a young lion who loses his father in tragic circumstances, and ultimately has to rise up to his responsibility as king. Minkoff explained the encounter in the Making of The Lion King featurette: His only choice was South Africa's "Lebo M.," and when the movie's directors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff met him, the deal was sealed in minutes. The truth is far better, too, since Lion King composer Hans Zimmer sought out his very own exiled son of Africa to give words to the film's opening song. The Circle of Life's Singer is Just as Importantįirst things first: toss the famous Broadway adaptation of "The Circle of Life" out of your head, since it frames the song as Rafiki's voice.
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and if history repeats itself, be desperate to know the translation of the words that follow. And considering how closely the new Lion King matches the original, a new generation will be just as stunned to hear its opening cries.
#Circle of life lyrics lion king movie
In a movie dripping in African storytelling, royal intrigue, and classic Disney heroism and coming-of-age, the song is just as polished in its own rite. There's a bit more to unlocking the real 'meaning' of the first lines of the song and film than simply translating Zulu to English. Michael Crawford sang it as part of a medley for The Disney Album in 2001.With the first trailer for the live-action Lion King movie now released, the question everyone originally asked has returned: what do the lyrics to the opening son actually mean? We guarantee almost every fan will want to know, since translating the lyrics means you'll never watch the Lion King's opening, or hear "The Circle of Life" the same way again. 18 in the US and is featured frequently in attractions based on The Lion King, such as Disney theme parks and parades. "Circle of Life" was also nominated for a Song of the Year Grammy. "Circle of Life" was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1994, along with two other songs from The Lion King: "Hakuna Matata" and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight", the latter of which won the award. " Elton John sang a pop version (with alternative lyrics) of the song with the London Community Gospel Choir, which was included in the film's soundtrack and made into a music video. By half-past three, he'd finished writing and recording a stunning demo. In an interview, Rice said he was amazed at the speed with which John composed: "I gave him the lyrics at the beginning of the session at about two in the afternoon.
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(opening Zulu vocals) as the film's opening song. Composed by Elton John, with lyrics by Tim Rice, the song was performed by Carmen Twillie (the deep female lead vocals) and Lebo M. "Circle of Life" is a song from Disney's 1994 animated film The Lion King.
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