"He Lives in You" is a song from musical version of the Lion King that later appeared in The Lion King II: Simba's Pride that was recorded for the CD Rhythm of the Pride Lands. The music and lyrics were written by Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, and Lebo M and performed by Lebo M, Maxi Anderson, Max Ngcobo, Khanyo Maphumulo, Khululiwe Sithole and Rose Stone.
A pop version of the song was recorded by Tina Turner and was featured on the compilation album, The Lion King Collection. The song features English lyrics mixed in with some Zulu lyrics, similar to some of the lyrics sung in the song "Circle of Life", including the lyrics "Ingonyama nengw' enamabala" (The royal lion wears his leopard spots) and the background lyrics of "Hela hm Mamela" (Hey, listen).
The song is similar to "Circle of Life" from the first Lion King movie. During the song, Rafiki presents the newborn princess Kiara before the gathering of the animals.
Lyrics
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
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 (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 the words and have faith
Oh, oh, iyo
Have faith
Hela hm mamela (Hey, listen)
(Chorus)
He lives in you (Hela hm mamela, hela)
He lives in me (Hela hm mamela, hela)
He watches over (Hela hm mamela, hela)
Everything we see (Hela hm mamela, hela)
Into the water (Hela hm mamela, hela)
Into the truth (Hela hm mamela, hela)
In your reflection (Hela hm mamela)
He lives in you
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Night, and the spirit of life calling
Mamela
And a voice
With the fear of a child asking
Oh, Mamela
Wait
There's no mountain too great
Hear these words and have faith
Have faith
Hela hm mamela
They live in you
(Hela hm mamela)
They live in me
(Hela hm mamela)
They're watching over
(Hela hm mamela)
Everything we see
(Hela hm mamela)
In every creature
(Hela hm mamela)
In every star
Hela hm mamela
In your reflection
They live in you
They live in you
(Hela hm mamela)
They live in me
(Hela hm mamela)
They're watching over
(Hela hm mamela)
Everything we see
In every creature
(Hela hm mamela)
In every star
(Hela hm mamela)
In your reflection
They live in you
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
The Lion King musical
The song is used twice in the musical based on the film, once in each act. During the first act it is performed by Mufasa to young Simba as They Live in You. The lyrics were changed slightly to represent the Great Kings of the Past. Mufasa, during the song, shows Simba that he is never alone as there is always someone watching over him.
In the second act the song is sung by Rafiki, the chorus and adult Simba as He Lives in You. The first part of the song is fairly subdued and sung by Rafiki and the chorus as Rafiki summons Mufasa's spirit. Mufasa's spirit appears and instructs Simba to return home and take his rightful place as king. After Mufasa's spirit fades, Simba realizes that he must take responsibility and return home. At this, there is an instrumental break, after which the song becomes livelier and Simba joins in the celebratory singing.
Cover versions
Tina Turner's version was featured on the compilation album, The Lion King Collection, as well as the French track of The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, instead of "Love Will Find a Way".
Diana Ross recorded the song for her 1999 album Every Day is a New Day. Lonnie Gordon recorded a house version for her album No Regret and released it as a single in 2001. In that same year, Michael Crawford sang this song as part of a medley on The Disney Album. A Eurobeat rendition of the song was recorded for Eurobeat Disney, Vol. 1 with vocals by Brian Ice. Elijah Kelley from the movie version of the musical version of the movie Hairspray covered it in 2008 for DisneyMania 6.
They Live In You and He Lives In You have been rendered for cast recordings of the musical including The Lion King: 1997 Original Broadway Cast and The Lion King: Original Japanese Cast They Live In You was used by Johnny Mathis for his 2000 album Mathis on Broadway.
Japanese pop/dance group TRF recorded a cover of He Lives in You in 1999.
In 2010, Helene Fischer, a German singer, performed the song on her "So wie ich bin" tour.
Micheal Castaldo recorded an Italian version of the song called "Lui vive in te" on his Aceto album.