Mandela Lyrics
The melody for what would later become “Maloumba” came to Emilio when he was 11 years old. About a year before Nelson Mandela was released from prison, Emilio had a dream that he sang the song to him. After that, Emilio turned the melody into a tribute to Mandela, which appeared on Zangalewa’s album Casque Colonial. You can listen to it here, or watch the video here.
Emilio composed a new version of “Maloumba,” this one called simply “Mandela.” It is written in a combination of English and Patois. "Mandela" is available for download from iTunes and other digital stores. Here you can listen to the initial version Emilio recorded using home equipment, where he sang and played all the parts himself. These vocals were used for the final production version.
Emilio composed a new version of “Maloumba,” this one called simply “Mandela.” It is written in a combination of English and Patois. "Mandela" is available for download from iTunes and other digital stores. Here you can listen to the initial version Emilio recorded using home equipment, where he sang and played all the parts himself. These vocals were used for the final production version.
Emilio:
I wrote this song when I was a kid
It seems to be beautiful for me
I'm still feeling it in my own body
Around me nobody knows nobody knows that
The beat comes from my South African brothers
I didn't know
I didn't know
I didn't know that
Chorus:
Oh Mandela (tsiele le le long peh leh) (etc.)
Emilio:
I follow him today (hou)
By his faith by his courage and determination (hou)
I'm happy to sing for you Madiba (hou hou)
Around the world some people are with me (hou hou)
Ready to jump to enjoy and to say well done Mandela (hou hou)
Chorus:
Oh Mandela (tsiele le le long peh leh) (etc.)
Emilio:
South Africa (Mandela)
Sharpeville (Madiba)
Crossroads (Mandela)
Soweto (Madiba)
Oh transkey bofutashuana,venda siskey, lebowa, gazankulu, oh kwakwa, kwadembele
Just be happy
Mandela Madiba, Mandela Madiba (etc.)
South Africa modamberi nde ngueba lele
Modamberi nde ngeba lekou tcheiga seidou Nelson
Modamberi nde ngeba lekou tcheiga seidou Nelson
Oh Mandela tchega oh Mandela
Oh Mandela tchega oh Mandela
I wrote this song when I was a kid
It seems to be beautiful for me
I'm still feeling it in my own body
Around me nobody knows nobody knows that
The beat comes from my South African brothers
I didn't know
I didn't know
I didn't know that
Chorus:
Oh Mandela (tsiele le le long peh leh) (etc.)
Emilio:
I follow him today (hou)
By his faith by his courage and determination (hou)
I'm happy to sing for you Madiba (hou hou)
Around the world some people are with me (hou hou)
Ready to jump to enjoy and to say well done Mandela (hou hou)
Chorus:
Oh Mandela (tsiele le le long peh leh) (etc.)
Emilio:
South Africa (Mandela)
Sharpeville (Madiba)
Crossroads (Mandela)
Soweto (Madiba)
Oh transkey bofutashuana,venda siskey, lebowa, gazankulu, oh kwakwa, kwadembele
Just be happy
Mandela Madiba, Mandela Madiba (etc.)
South Africa modamberi nde ngueba lele
Modamberi nde ngeba lekou tcheiga seidou Nelson
Modamberi nde ngeba lekou tcheiga seidou Nelson
Oh Mandela tchega oh Mandela
Oh Mandela tchega oh Mandela