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Geoffrey Oryema — Makambo
Album: Exile
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2158









Released: 1990
Length: 4:57
Plays (last 30 days): 3
Ngibathe Ngicelu Xolo
Ngatholi nzondo
Ngibathe Ngecelu thando ma, ah oh
Yiningathi yini ngomhlaba
Yini Singa Funu Zwano? ah oh
Ngibathe Ngicelu Xolo
Ngatholi nzondo, ah oh

Washu mathambo espoki wathi
Africa, Umhlaba ubolile
Abantu bane nkohla kalo
Umhlaba ubolile
Umhlaba unengozi
Sudan, Rwanda, Angola, Malawi, Liberia, Zaire
Stop the killing
Phansingo dlame
South Africa: war is never good
Phansingo dlame

So why?
So why?
So why?
Africa, Africa will sing - so why?
The sun in your heart is your smile - so why?
Wozani bizanu tula - So why?
Comments (89)add comment
Love this artist and this song.  It always transports me to a better place.
 bluecshells wrote:

Loving this right now. Thank you.


Same here!  I  Agree!
Loving this right now. Thank you.
Excellent album from 1990. The big hit was "Ye Ye Ye", an absolutely killer track which should certainly be in RP's rotation (if it isn't already).
The sadness of this song reaches my soul. His epic life story gives many more layers to his voice.  Wonderful.
Makes me appreciate what I am, what I have and where I am in life.
 TLynneHenry wrote:

Wow. Not sure if you're a racist, a person with bad taste in music, or both. 




Probably BOTH!   
 sfoster66 wrote:

A bit too much time touring Africa for this fella...off to find some Chill Lounge...you folks enjoy the safari for me...


Wow. Not sure if you're a racist, a person with bad taste in music, or both. 

Hearing this instantly transports me back to a powerful mushroom journey I had last year when I first heard this song – so beautiful, serene.  Not knowing the meaning of the lyrics allows me to just focus on the amazing musical qualities of his voice.  This song carries me me somewhere special.
A bit too much time touring Africa for this fella...off to find some Chill Lounge...you folks enjoy the safari for me...
 chpittard wrote:

Actually the lyrics are those one:


o na ma kanguwe
o na ma kanguwe
o na ma kanguwe
ni na ma kanguwe
U lu pa la ki lé ba tu li ba lu kuwa
lu kuwa
lu kuwa u lu we (we)
lu kuwa u lu we (we)
o na ma kanguwe
hié ééé
ni na ma kanguwe (ééé)
o na ma kanguwe
hié ééé
ni na ma kanguwe
U lu pa la ki lé ba tu li ba
(lu kuwa) x 21
o na ma kanguwe
ni na ma kanguwe
zandi zanbi ba lé koé
ni na ma kanguwe iééé
o na ma kanguwe
U lu pa la ki lé ba tu li ba lu kuwa
lu kuwaaa
lu kuwa u lu we (we)
lu kuwa u lu we (we)
o na ma kanguwe
ni na ma kanguwe (ééé)
U lu pa la ki lé u lu pa lu kuwa
U lu pa la ki lé ba tu li ba lu kuwa
lu kuwaaa
lu kuwa u lu we (we)
(lu kuwa) x 21
o na ma kanguweééé
ni na ma kanguweééé
o na ma kanguwe
ni na motena
U lu pa la ki lé u lu pa lu kuwa
lu kuwa
lu kuwaaa
lu kuwaaaaa uenluwe
o na ma kanguweééé
zandi zanbi ba lé koé
dé kambo la motene
ni na motema
U lu pa la ki lé u lu pa lu kuwa
ni na ma kanguwe

Anyway, thanks Bill for opening the door to that kind of song. Hearing all your stuff as I am translating, all the time.



TKS for the correct lyrics... Been driving me Barmy trying to figure it out..lol.
Actually the lyrics are those one:


o na ma kanguwe
o na ma kanguwe
o na ma kanguwe
ni na ma kanguwe
U lu pa la ki lé ba tu li ba lu kuwa
lu kuwa
lu kuwa u lu we (we)
lu kuwa u lu we (we)
o na ma kanguwe
hié ééé
ni na ma kanguwe (ééé)
o na ma kanguwe
hié ééé
ni na ma kanguwe
U lu pa la ki lé ba tu li ba
(lu kuwa) x 21
o na ma kanguwe
ni na ma kanguwe
zandi zanbi ba lé koé
ni na ma kanguwe iééé
o na ma kanguwe
U lu pa la ki lé ba tu li ba lu kuwa
lu kuwaaa
lu kuwa u lu we (we)
lu kuwa u lu we (we)
o na ma kanguwe
ni na ma kanguwe (ééé)
U lu pa la ki lé u lu pa lu kuwa
U lu pa la ki lé ba tu li ba lu kuwa
lu kuwaaa
lu kuwa u lu we (we)
(lu kuwa) x 21
o na ma kanguweééé
ni na ma kanguweééé
o na ma kanguwe
ni na motena
U lu pa la ki lé u lu pa lu kuwa
lu kuwa
lu kuwaaa
lu kuwaaaaa uenluwe
o na ma kanguweééé
zandi zanbi ba lé koé
dé kambo la motene
ni na motema
U lu pa la ki lé u lu pa lu kuwa
ni na ma kanguwe

Anyway, thanks Bill for opening the door to that kind of song. Hearing all your stuff as I am translating, all the time.
very tranquil... put a smile on my face.  As a man on a limited budget my travels these days come through music.  RP... you have taken me not only around this bright blue ball spinning free... but also into the cosmos...
Thank you, B & R, Radio Paradise; your world music mixes lift us higher today! The gentle, powerful, evocative joy and  presence of music for today and always! 
 unclehud wrote:

 Akazungu wrote:
There are several languages spoken in Uganda, though Swahili is the common language among the peoples. Mr. Oryema's local/tribal language was Acholi.
 
Tried it again today, Google translate, still from Zulu) has this:

I have them
I found no hatred
I love them in love, ah oh
So many of the earth
What is Fun Quest? ah oh
I have them
I found hatred, ah oh

He said the bones in the park said
Africa, The earth is rotten
People are like this
The earth is rotten
The earth is in danger
Sudan, Rwanda, Angola, Liberia, Zaire
Stop the killing
Under the violence
South Africa: war is never good
Under the violence
 

I just got this for the first verse (detected Zulu): 

I Need Your Peace, I find no hate
Wear Your Love ma, ah oh
It's a joke about the world Why Do We Need Emotion? ah oh
I Need Your Peace I get no hate, ah oh
 pwilster wrote:
Godlike!
 Geoffrey was one of the blessed amongst up, brave (Bombs are Falling) whilst sensitive and sensual.  

Why am I feeling RP is so playing music to my heart?  so cool!
 JuliaH wrote:
This is so lovely.  I tried to buy it at iTunes and the store didn't have this artist.  Anyone know anything?
 

Maybe try Amazon? think that's where I got it. I know this was asked 6 years ago but just in case...
 unclehud wrote:
(Four years ago, the Google Translate version of lyrics, auto translated from Zulu)

 
rita_johnson wrote:
He's from Uganda. Don't know if they speak Zulu there.
 
 Akazungu wrote:
There are several languages spoken in Uganda, though Swahili is the common language among the peoples. Mr. Oryema's local/tribal language was Acholi.
 
Tried it again today, Google translate, still from Zulu) has this:

I have them
I found no hatred
I love them in love, ah oh
So many of the earth
What is Fun Quest? ah oh
I have them
I found hatred, ah oh

He said the bones in the park said
Africa, The earth is rotten
People are like this
The earth is rotten
The earth is in danger
Sudan, Rwanda, Angola, Liberia, Zaire
Stop the killing
Under the violence
South Africa: war is never good
Under the violence
 rita_johnson wrote:

He's from Uganda. Don't know if they speak Zulu there. 
 

There are several languages spoken in Uganda, though Swahili is the common language among the peoples. Mr. Oryema's local/tribal language was Acholi.
 unclehud wrote:
From Google Translate (because I always read the lyrics).  Google said "Zulu detected" but gave a rather fractured translation.

The Ngicelu Xolo
I hate
The Ngecelu love, ah oh
Yiningathi earth
What We Funu fellowship? ah oh
The Ngicelu Xolo
I hate, ah oh

Shu bones Bespoke
Africa, World decomposition
People are Nkohla weight and
World decomposition
risk
Sudan, Rwanda, Angola, Malawi, Liberia, Zaire
Stop the killing
Phansingo violence
South Africa: war is never good
Phansingo violence

 
 
He's from Uganda. Don't know if they speak Zulu there. 
Oh my gosh -- about an hour ago I was wondering how to persuade Radio Paradise to play Geoffrey Oryema. And then I hear this. Thank you thank you. 
His album "Beat the Border" is just divine too. 
Godlike!
thank you; haven't heard this in too long. 
 unclehud wrote:
bump
From Google Translate (because I always read the lyrics).  Google said "Zulu detected" but gave a rather fractured translation.

The Ngicelu Xolo
I hate
The Ngecelu love, ah oh
Yiningathi earth
What We Funu fellowship? ah oh
The Ngicelu Xolo
I hate, ah oh

Shu bones Bespoke
Africa, World decomposition
People are Nkohla weight and
World decomposition
risk
Sudan, Rwanda, Angola, Malawi, Liberia, Zaire
Stop the killing
Phansingo violence
South Africa: war is never good
Phansingo violence

 

 


So glad to hear him here.  Beautiful music from someone who lived a difficult life.  Saw him at the start of a Womad festival one day many years ago.  He was the best artist the entire day.
From 8 to 9. So gentle, so sweet, so beautiful.
 
 ch83575 wrote:
There is something very Simon and Garfunkel about the guitar track... in the best possible way.

Amazing song.

 
i hear it too, sounds good but i can't come up with the song
There is something very Simon and Garfunkel about the guitar track... in the best possible way.

Amazing song.
 Kaisersosay wrote:

Its an international tour

 
It's an international tour de force.
This song reaches out and touches my soul.
Last few songs just one of the reasons I listen to RP, diversity, eclectic music, and my soul says TY {#Cheers}

That was amazing. What a powerful piece!

If anybody is interested in that kind of awesomeness google: eric bona and bobby McFerrin. it's a live concert with the two of them performing a song...amazing!


 jmkate wrote:
This is the degree of beautiful where you lean in to hear every sound..

 
yeah. the album is beautiful... for those asking, it can usually be found used on amazon and elsewhere. 
 NoEnzLefttoSplit wrote:
crikey, that was a nice set.

 
Its an international tour
crikey, that was a nice set.
 JuliaH wrote:
This is so lovely.  I tried to buy it at iTunes and the store didn't have this artist.  Anyone know anything?

 
If you're still looking to buy, Bill's iTunes links will help you lighten your wallet...
great song, great album. sweet to hear this here. 
Deep and fundamental stuff.  Beautiful.
Masterpiece. One of the favorite tracks of all time. 10.
Just beautiful.
From Google Translate (because I always read the lyrics).  Google said "Zulu detected" but gave a rather fractured translation.

The Ngicelu Xolo
I hate
The Ngecelu love, ah oh
Yiningathi earth
What We Funu fellowship? ah oh
The Ngicelu Xolo
I hate, ah oh

Shu bones Bespoke
Africa, World decomposition
People are Nkohla weight and
World decomposition
risk
Sudan, Rwanda, Angola, Malawi, Liberia, Zaire
Stop the killing
Phansingo violence
South Africa: war is never good
Phansingo violence

 
This is the degree of beautiful where you lean in to hear every sound..
 zitherica wrote:
this is... wow. 
 
I agree.
So great to have something this beautiful coming from Uganda when there's so much bad stuff going on there. Gives one hope.
 JuliaH wrote:
This is so lovely.  I tried to buy it at iTunes and the store didn't have this artist.  Anyone know anything?

 
think I bought it off Amazon.

Perfect night music. His voice is sooo good.
Wow - this last pair of songs is just lovely. Maybe I will drive into work in a couple more minutes.
Eno's production shines on this track. Truly a great album!



This is so lovely.  I tried to buy it at iTunes and the store didn't have this artist.  Anyone know anything?
Nice! Reminds me of this  crazy reggae artist...cant remember the name!
I rated 9 because it creates an emotional response that many great songs do not after one listen.

Thanks RP for introducing me to Geoffrey. 
Sublime!
That's very nice.
Hauntingly beautiful.

RP introduced me to this song and artist - thank you!
Pure masterpiece.
LOVELY!
Found this on the Long Way Down CD.

 
Great great.
this is... wow. 
This song is very peaceful and grounding. 
This whole album is simply awesome. Get it if you like this track!
Me too.
buenas noches - good good heal from the day....buena sanar a partir del día{#Headache}
Piazzola, then Oryema. Bill, that was wonderful, surprising and... eclectic. That's why I keep listening to RP. Thanks.

 fredriley wrote:
This man has the smoooooooooooothest voice I've heard for some time. He could be singing the Ugandan telephone directory for all I know or care, but the depth and smoothness of his voice is like balm for the brain :). 7 from the chilled-out Nottingham jury.
 
I see a lot of comments from that Nottingham jury. How many members do you have, what is your political affiliation and who is your financal backer ?


A friend "gave" me this song on a mixed tape, just to give an idea how long ago that was. Haunting. It immediately brought me back to that time.
 burdell wrote:
Wonderful! Where does Bill find this stuff?
 
It was included on the very first Pure Moods compilation released in 1997.  That's where I've heard it.  (Also featured in the movie "Bedazzled" during the scene where Brendan Fraser is in jail).  — Nice to hear it here too!  {#Yes}


Pretty song, but listening to all that reverberating whistling with headphones really gives me a headache.

Beautiful song. Nice.


I like his hair, too.  :)

 rmmartins wrote:
Thanks RP/Bill for introducing so many great African artists to me...!
 


ditto! I'm loving it
{#Meditate}   Just lovely.

Thanks RP/Bill for introducing so many great African artists to me...!
 burdell wrote:
Wonderful! Where does Bill find this stuff?
 

Seriously.....thats why I am an RP addict
Wonderful! Where does Bill find this stuff?
 fredriley wrote:
This man has the smoooooooooooothest voice I've heard for some time. He could be singing the Ugandan telephone directory for all I know or care, but the depth and smoothness of his voice is like balm for the brain :). 7 from the chilled-out Nottingham jury.
 
I so agree. I have three of his albums and they are all so beautiful and haunting.

Refreshing. Thanks Bill
This man has the smoooooooooooothest voice I've heard for some time. He could be singing the Ugandan telephone directory for all I know or care, but the depth and smoothness of his voice is like balm for the brain :). 7 from the chilled-out Nottingham jury.
No thanks
Niiicceee....
cool dreds....
Wow, I really liked this one.

This is just another example of why the music itself is more important than lyrics  to me (particularly non-English spoken tunes)!
Nice .... ... 
Beauty.
Excellent stuff.

Thanks again, Bill.

Goosebumps........ALL OVER!!!

God I love RP
 beakaye wrote:
I like this.....nice gentle sound, almost haunting in a way. Fit's in well with this rainy dark day in the PNW.
 
and it fit's in well with this rainy evening in germany... greetings to spokane

Love this one. Such a haunting song. Ironically I first heard it in the soundtrack for the best-forgotten (but somehow dear to me) Brendan Fraser movie Bedazzled. It is not on the actual soundtrack you can purchase, but judging by the Amazon reviews it's what a lot of people were looking for when they sought out the soundtrack.

Anyway, a great tune.

I like this.....nice gentle sound, almost haunting in a way. Fit's in well with this rainy dark day in the PNW.