Skip links

Song Lyrics: Rhythm of the Pride Lands

Rhythm of the Pride Lands is a supplemental album released after The Lion King, but before Simba’s Pride. It was marketed as music inspired by the movie.

 


 

He Lives in You

Ingonyama nengw’ enamabala [Here is a lion and a tiger]
Night 
And the spirit of life 
Calling 

Oh, oh, iyo 
Mamela [Listen]
Oh, oh, iyo 

And a voice 
With the fear of a child 
Answers 

Oh, oh, iyo 
Oh, mamela [Oh, listen]
Oh, oh, iyo 

Ubukhosi bo khokho [Throne of the ancestors]
We ndodana ye sizwe sonke [Oh, son of the nation]

Wait 
There’s no mountain too great 
Oh, oh, iyo 
Hear these words and have faith 
Oh, oh, iyo 
Have faith 

Hela hey mamela… [Hey, listen]

Chorus:
He lives in you 
He lives in me 
He watches over 
Everything we see 
Into the water 
Into the truth 
In your reflection 
He lives in you 

Ingonyama nengw’ enamabala [Here is a lion and a tiger]
(repeat) 

(repeat third verse) 

(repeat chorus)


 

Hakuna Matata

Hem hollolo iyo 
Hakuna Matata! 
Hem may’babo 

When I was a cool young one 
     (When he was a cool young one)
I worked in the colony paying my dues 
Accepting without question the prevailing views 
That a young man’s life was one long grind 
Diggin’ holes, standing guard till it crossed my mind 

I was wrong 
All wrong 
All that I needed 
Was to have heeded 

Chorus:
Hakuna Matata! 
What a wonderful phrase 
Hakuna Matata! 
Ain’t no passing crase 
It means no worries for the rest of your days 
It’s a problem-free philosophy 
Hakuna Matata! 

When I was a shallow youth 
     (When he was a shallow youth)
Cool calm reflection 
I was never that good 
I was a pawn in the game 
I saw no trees for the wood 
My future stretched behind me 
I was over the hill 
I put my best foot forward 
But the other stood still 

Take my word 
I have heard 
All that I needed 
Was to have heeded 

Chorus

Hem hollolo iyo 
Hakuna Matata! 
Hem may’babo 

Hakuna Matata! 
I hope we have conveyed 
You don’t have to bust a gut in the sun 
It’s much cooler in the shade 
Some say it’s just a waste of time 
But they don’t realize 
That view is nothing but a crime 
We are creatures wordly wise 

(Repeat chorus to fade) 


 

The Lion Sleeps Tonight

Lala kahle [Sleep well]
In the jungle, the mighty jungle 
The lion sleeps tonight 
In the jungle, the mighty jungle 
The lion sleeps tonight 

Chorus:
Imbube 
(repeat) 

Ingonyama ifile [The lion’s in peace]
Ingonyama ilele [The lion sleeps]
Thula [Hush]

Near the village, the peaceful village 
The lion sleeps tonight 
Near the village, the peaceful village 
The lion sleeps tonight 

Chorus

Ingonyama ilele [The lion sleeps]

Hush my darling, don’t fear my darling 
The lion sleeps tonight 
Hush my darling, don’t fear my darling 
The lion sleeps tonight 

He, ha helelemama 
Obi’mbube [He, ha helelemama – lion]

Chorus

Ixesha lifikile [Time has come]
Lala [Sleep]
Lala kahle [Sleep well]

Near the village, the peaceful village 
The lion sleeps tonight 
Near the village, the peaceful village 
The lion sleeps tonight 

Chorus

My little darling 
Don’t fear my darling 
My little darling 
Don’t fear my darling 

Ingonyama ilele [The lion sleeps]

(repeat to fade)


 

Kube

There’s a river 
Standing between me 
And my home 
There’s a river 
Standing between me 
And my home 
The name of the river 
Kube is the name 
The name of the river 
Kube is the name 

Chorus:
Kube 
Kube-tu 
I’ve got to cross over 
I’ve got to cross over 
Kube-tu 
(repeat) 

I’ve been here 
I’ve been there 
All my life 
I’ve been a rolling stone 
A rolling stone 
Gathers no moss 
All my life 
I’ve been a rolling stone 
Ngi vulel’ Indlela Kube [Make way for me, Kube]
Kube Kube Kube-Tu [Kube, please]

There’s a river 
Standing between me 
And my home 
There’s a river 
Kube is the name 
Got to stand up 
Got to move on 
Got to build me 
A life of my own 

Got to stand up 
Got to move on 
Got to build me 
A life of my own 

Ngi vulel’ Indlela Kube [Make way for me, Kube]
Kube Kube Kube-Tu [Kube, please]

Chorus:
Kube 
Kube-tu 
I’ve got to cross over 
I’ve got to cross over 
Kube-tu 
(repeat) 

I’ve been stumbling and falling 
I’ve got to get up and move on 
(repeat to fade) 


 

Lea Halalela

Fatshe leso [Our land]
Lea halalela [Is holy]
(repeat) 

Uli-buse le lizwe [You must rule this land]
Izwe lethu [The land of the people]
Mhlaba wethu [Soil of the people]
Uli phathe Kahle [Handle it with care]
Izwe lethu [This land of ours]
Izwe lethu [This land of ours]

Chorus:
Uzo libusa [You will rule]
Le lizwe [This land]
Uli buse kahle [Rule it with care]
Uzo libusa {You will rule
Le lizwe [This land]
Le lizwe [This land]

Fatshe leso [Our land]
Lea halalela [Is holy]
(repeat) 

Uli-buse le lizwe [You must rule this land]
Izwe lethu [The land of the people]
Mhlaba wethu [Soil of the people]
Uli phathe Kahle [Handle it with care]
Izwe lethu [This land of ours]
Izwe lethu [This land of ours]

Chorus

Fatshe leso [Our land]
Lea halalela [Is holy]
(repeat)

 


 

It’s Time

The sun is shining 
The children laughing, playing 
Full of dreams to find 
They all remind me 
When i was a little boy 
Full of life and pride 

They look so peaceful 
Moshanyana weso bo’ itumele [My brother, be happy]
So sweet and graceful 
Ngwana weso bo’ ithabise [My sister, celebrate]
They’re all so hopeful 
Moshanyana weso bo’ itumele [My brother, be happy]
And there is no need for crying 
No need for fighting 

Chorus:
It’s time 
Ithabise [Celebrate]
And this is meant to be your day 
Shine 
Ithabise [Celebrate]
And in your heart you’ll know it’s time 
Ithabise [Celebrate]
For you to to take your place 
Ithabise [Celebrate]

Sometimes I wonder 
Why people always seem 
To turn around 
And lose their way 
Look out your window 
Be grateful for this day 
And make a change 
It’s okay 

To be peaceful 
Moshanyana weso bo’ itumele [My brother, be happy]
And to be hopeful 
Ngwana weso bo’ ithabise [My sister, celebrate]
It’s sweet and graceful 
Moshanyana weso bo’ itumele [My brother, be happy]
And there is no need for crying 
No need for fighting 

Chorus

Tsatsi lahao [Your day]
Lefihlile [Has come]
Ithabise [Celebrate]
Ithabise [Celebrate]
(repeat) 

Chorus:
Ithabise [Celebrate]
(repeat to fade) 


 

One by One

Ibambeni njala bakithi [Hold on tight my people]
Ninga dinwa [Don’t get weary]
Ninga phelelwa nga mandla [Don’t lose your strength]

Siya ba bona [We can see]
Bebe fun’ ukusi qeda [They wanted to hold us back]

One by one 
Ngeke ba lunge [They will not suceed]
One by one 
Sizo nqoba [We will win]

One by one 
Ngeke ba lunge [They will not suceed]
One by one 

Ibambeni njala bakithi [Hold on tight my people]
Ninga dinwa [Don’t get weary]
Ninga phelelwa nga mandla [Don’t lose your strength]

Siya ba bona [We can see]
Bebe fun’ ukusi qeda [They wanted to hold us back]

One by one 
Ngeke ba lunge [They will not suceed]
One by one 
Sizo nqoba [We will win]
(repeat) 

Ngoba thina [Because]
Siya zazi [We know who we are]
(repeat) 

Ibala lami [The color of my skin]
Elimnyama [That is dark]
Ndiya zidla [I’m proud]
Ngalo [Of it]
Ibala lami [The color of my skin]
Elimnyama [That is dark]
Ndiza kufa [I will die]
Nalo [With it]
(repeat to fade) 


 

Warthog Rhapsody

Now if you want a role model 
Of a life most blissfully led 
Then look no farther than Pumbaa here 
Than this laid-back quadruped 
Relaxation’s the name of the game 
Be cool and be thick-skinned 
Let my lifestyle be your reference frame 
As long as you stand upwind 
Your guide must be this rhapsody 

Chorus:
I gets up when i likes 
He’s got it all worked out 
I plans the day ahead 
He’s got it all worked out 
When inspiration strikes 
He’s got it all worked out 
I go right back to bed 
He’s got it all worked out 

But though he may not be one of nature’s dynamos 
His mind is on the ball and far from comatose 
Don’t dismiss the warthog philosophy 

Take it from he! 
He’s got it all worked out 
Take it from me! 
He’s got it all worked out 

Now who wants to be a hunter 
Chasing food all over the place 
More often than not it gets away 
Who needs the thrill of the chase 
Why move mountains to get your chow 
When you only need to move a log 
Make it your dietary resolve for now 
To eat like the old warthog 
Regarding food 
Hmmmmmmmmm 
His attitude 

Chorus:
It’s bugs for every meal 
I’ve got it all worked out 
So full of vitamins 
I’ve got it all worked out 
No need to cook or peel 
I’ve got it all worked out 
He eats ’em in their skins 
I’ve got it all worked out 

They’re delectable, available, the perfect snack 
They ain’t endangered species 
And they don’t fight back 
Don’t dismiss the warthog gastronomy 

Take it from he 
Take it from me 
Take it from he 
He’s got it all worked out 

So remember when you see us staring into space 
We’re caught between a pillow and a soft, soft place 
Don’t resist the warthog mentality 
Take it from he 
Take it from me 
Take it from he 
Take it from we 
We’ve got it all worked out 


 

Lala

Oh mta ku mama wam [Oh, my mother’s child]
Oh mto wethu [Oh my dear brother]
Ndi ya ku khumbula mna [I miss you]
La la, la la 

Oh mta ku mama wam [Oh, my mother’s child]
Oh mto wethu [Oh my dear brother]
Ndi ya ku khalela mna [I cry for you]

Motswalle waka [My dear friend]
Mgwana mme [My mother’s child]
Ndiyani khumbula [I miss you}
La la kahle [Farewell]

Chorus:
We sangoma ngi velelwe [Oh, spiritual healer, I’m troubled]
We baba ngivelelwe [Oh, my father, I’m in pain]
We baba ngivelelwe [Oh, my father, I’m in pain]
(repeat) 

Oh mta ku mama wam [Oh, my mother’s child]
Oh mto wethu [Oh my dear brother]
Ndi ya ku khalela mna [I cry for you]

Motswalle waka [My dear friend]
Mgwana mme [My mother’s child]
Ndiyani khumbula [I miss you}
La la kahle [Farewell]
(repeat) 

(repeat chorus to fade) 


 

Busa

Chorus:
Busa le lizwe [Rule this land]
Busa le lizwe [Rule this land]
Busa lomhlaba wethu {Rule this land of ours]
Busa ngo xolo [Rule with peace]
(repeat) 

Shwele baba [Hail to you, Father]
Siyakubongla [We are grateful to you]
Usi lethel’ injabulo [You brought us happiness]
Noxolo [And peace]

Shwele baba [Hail to you, Father]
Siyakubongla [We are grateful to you]
Liqhakazise baba [Brighten our future]
Ngo thando [With love]

Bayede baba [Father, we salute you]
Sikhokhele bo [Lead us]
Busa lomhlaba [Rule this land]
Ngo thando [With love]

Busa ngo thando [Rule with love]
Busa ngo thando [Rule with love]
Busa ngo thando [Rule with love]
Busa ngo xolo [Rule with peace]
(repeat) 

Chorus

Ubuse ngo thando [You must rule with love]
Ubuse ngo xolo [You must rule with peace]
Busa Simba busa Simba [Rule Simba, rule Simba]

Hemna iyo 
Hemna iyo 
Hemna nkosi 

Oh busa Simba iyo [Rule Simba]
Vusa amakhosi [Wake the ancestors]
Vusa amdlozi bo [Wake the spirits up]
Busa Simba iyo [Rule Simba]


 

Noyana

Sikuyo [We are] 
Indlela [On the path] 
Yelizwi [Of the voice] 
Lobomi [Of righteousness] 
(repeat) 
Ikhaya labantu [Home to people] 
Behleli ngendweba [Who live with peace]

Nina ke [Some of you] 
Nehluka [Are different] 
Kuthixo [In the eyes of God] 
Ngo kona [Because of your sins] 
Nithini [What do you say?] 
Noyana, noyana [Are you going? Are you going?] 
Phezulu [Are you going to heaven?]

Sikuyo [We are] 
Indlela [On the path] 
Yelizwi [Of the voice] 
Lobomi [Of righteousness] 
(repeat)

Noyana [Are you going to get there?] 
Noyana [Are you going to get there?] 
Nithini noyana [What do you say? Are you going?] 
Noyana [Are you going to get there?] 
Noyana [Are you going to get there?] 
Nithini noyana [What do you say? Are you going?] 
Noyana [Are you going to get there?] 
Noyana [Are you going to get there?] 
Noyana phezulu [Are you goig up there?]

Nithini [What do you say?] 
Noyana, noyana [Are you going? Are you going?] 
Phezulu [Are you going to heaven?] 
Nina ke [Some of you] 
Nehluka [Are different] 
Kuthixo [In the eyes of God] 
Ngo kona [Because of your sins] 
(repeat)

Sikuyo [We are] 
Indlela [On the path] 
Yelizwi [Of the voice] 
Lobomi [Of righteousness] 
(repeat)

Noyana, noyana [Are you going? Are you going?] 
Nithini noyana [What do you say? Are you going?]