In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
In the jungle the quiet jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
–Wimoweh
Anna can safely wear her leopard-print camisole and matching panties because the lion sleeps tonight.
Today’s you tube is the hit song The Lion Sleeps Tonight, also known as Wimoweh. This was a big hit in 1961 for The Tokens. The lead singer was Dr. Jay Siegel.
This song is also called Wimoweh and has an interesting history. The song originally came from South Africa. It was written by Solomon Linda and titled Mbube, which is Zulu for lion. It was recorded by Solomon Linda and his group , The Evening Birds, in 1939. It was a hit in South Africa in the 1940s.
Folk Archivist Alan Lomax sent a copy of the record to American folk singer Pete Singer. Pete Seeger thought they were saying Wimoweh so that’s what he called it. They were singing Mbube, It was a folk hit for The Weavers in 1952 and later ion 1959 by the Kingston Trio.
New lyrics were written and in 1961 The Tokens recorded a commercialized version of Wimoweh as The Lion Sleeps Tonight. This became the billboard hit that most people are familiar with.
Here is Pete Seeger from The Weavers singing Winoweh solo. Pete Seeger teachers all the parts.
Here is The Weavers singing Wimoweh
South African singers Ladysmith Black Mambazo sing Wimoweh.
Here is The Tokens singing Womoweh in 2008, 47 years after their hit record. The lead singer actually sounds even better now then when it was originally recorded!
Here’s a version by Alvin and The Chipmonks.
Finally, the one you have been waiting for, the original MBube by Solomon Linda and The Evening Songbirds. Mbube means lions. You can hear the melody in the pop hit at the end of the recording. Ii is astonishing to know it was improvised by Solomon during the recording.
The 1939 Mbube by Soloman Linda is perhaps the best version of this popular song. Mr. Linda was the original creator and it his recording has an authenticity that can never be matched. Like the original version of a Beatles or Dylan song can’t be topped a subsequent cover, no matter how slick the production.
WIMOWEH
Bass:
Hey-up ho
Wimoweh
Wimoweh hmm
Wimoweh
Alto:
Wimoweh, wimoweh
Wimoweh, wimoweh
Wimoweh, wimoweh
Wimoweh, wimoweh
Lyrics:
In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
In the jungle the quiet jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
Near the village the peaceful village
The lion sleeps tonight
Near the village the quiet village
The lion sleeps tonight
Hush my darling don’t fear my darling
The lion sleeps tonight
Hush my darling don’t fear my darling
The lion sleeps tonight
Chords:
(Capo up 1)
E A E B
E A E B
WIki Entry for The Lion Sleeps Tonight
