About The Song
“The Lion Sleeps Tonight” is a song originally penned and recorded by Solomon Linda under the title “Mbube” for the South African Gallo Record Company in 1939. Linda composed the original version in Zulu, while the English rendition’s lyrics were crafted by George David Weiss.
The song has achieved global recognition through adaptations and covers by various pop and folk artists. In November 1951, the Weavers recorded it as “Wimoweh,” published by Folkways Music Publishers in December 1951. Numerous artists, including R.E.M., NSYNC, Henri Salvador, Karl Denver, Jimmy Dorsey, Yma Sumac, Noro Morales, Miriam Makeba, and the Kingston Trio, have produced their versions.
In 1961, the doo-wop group The Tokens adapted the song into English with the title “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” and it soared to number one on the charts in the United States. The song has since garnered substantial royalties from cover versions and film licensing. In 1982, the pop group Tight Fit achieved a number one hit with the song in the UK. Notably, this composition is written and composed in the key of F major.
Video
Lyrics
(A-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh)
(A-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh)
(A-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh)
(A-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh)
In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
In the jungle, the quiet jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
(A-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh)
(A-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh)
(A-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh)
(A-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh)
Near the village, the peaceful village
The lion sleeps tonight
Near the village, the quiet village
The lion sleeps tonight
(A-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh)
(A-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh)
(A-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh)
(A-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh)
Hush my darling, don’t fear my darling
The lion sleeps tonight
Hush my darling, don’t fear my darling
The lion sleeps tonight
(A-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh)
(A-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh)
(A-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh)
(A-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh, a-wimoweh)