One by One

One by One
General information
Short films	One by One
Attractions and stage performances	The Lion King (musical)
Albums	Rhythm of the Pride Lands The Lion King: Original Broadway Cast Recording
Composer	Lebo M Jay Rifkin
Video

"One by One" is Track 7 featured on the CD, Rhythm of the Pridelands. It was written by Lebo M and Jay Rifkin, performed by Lebo M and his South African chorus. The song does appear as the entr'acte for the Lion King musical.

Plot

The song speaks, in native Zulu, how the return of the true king will return to the Pride Lands. Till then, they must keep hope, fight, and not forget that they will win. Most of all, they must be proud of who they are, and their beautiful homeland in Africa. In recent performances in further years from the early 2000s, the aforementioned entr'acte was shortened, making a female soloist to participate in singing along with the choir as the lyrics are altered throughout the song in recent performances. This version is the one currently used in recent performances of The Lion King around the world where a female soloist participates towards the end of the song as this version was also included in international Cast Recordings.

The song is also the theme song for the short film of the same name which is constantly heard throughout the short originally produced for an unfinished third Fantasia film.

Lyrics

• Musical (original)
• Musical (short; recent performances)
• Rhythm of the Pridelands
• 2004 short film version

Ibabeni njalo bakithi ninga dinwa (Hold on tight, my people; don't get weary)
Ningapheleliwa nga mandla (Don't lose your strength)
Siyababona bebefun' ukusiqeda (We can see - they wanted to hold us back)
One by one

Ngeke balunge (They will not succeed)
One by one
Sizo nqoba (We will win)
One by one
Ngeke ba lunge (They will not succeed)
One by one

(Repeat verse above)

Sizo nqoba (We will win)
Ngoba thina, siyazaz (Because we know who we are)

Ngoba thina, siyazaz (Because we know who we are)

(Repeat verse above)

Zobona bayabaleka (Come and see)
Zobona, zobon (The cowards are running away)
Zobona, zobon
Zobona
Zobon, amagwala

Ibala lami elimnyama (The color of my skin that is dark)
Ndiya zidla ngalo (I'm proud of it)

Ibala lami elimnyama (The color of my skin that is dark)
Ndiya zidla ngalo (I'm proud of it)

Ibala lami elimnyama (The color of my skin that is dark)
Ndiya zidla ngalo! (I'm proud of it)

Kumnandi... (Oh yes...)
Kumandi bakithi bo!

Kumandi kwelakakith Eafrica! (It's beautiful in Africa!)

Ibabeni njalo bakithi ninga dinwa (Hold on tight, my people; don't get weary)
Ningapheleliwa nga mandla (Don't lose your strength)
Siyababona bebefun' ukusiqeda / negeke balunge (We can see - they want to hold us back)
One by one

Sizo nqoba (We will win)
One by one
Sizo nqoba
One by one
Sizo nqoba

(Repeat verse above)

Sizo nqoba (We will win)
Ngoba thina, siyazaz (Because we know who we are)

Ngoba thina, siyazaz (Because we know who we are)
Ngoba thina, siyazaz

Zobona bayabaleka (Come and see)
Zobona, zobon (The cowards are running away)
Zobona, zobon
Zobona, zobon
Zobon

Zobona bayabaleka
Zobona, zobon
Zobona, zobon
Zobona
Zobon, amagwala

Umhlaba Wabantu (Land of the people)
Gazilabantu (Yes, all the people)
Ndiya zidla ngalo (We are proud of it)

Soloist: Umhlaba Wabantu (Land of the people)
Stembe nkosini (Our protector)
Sqonde phambili wema (Praises all of us)
Uhmhlaba Wabantu
Nokhokho bethu (Land of our ancestors)
Yelele, yelele, yelele a yelele mama (Praise chant)
(Verse in occasional performances)
Stembe nkosini

(Heard in background when soloist sings)
Umhlaba Wabantu
Gazilabantu
Ndiya zidla ngalo

Umhlaba Wabantu (Land of our people)
Nokhokho bethu (Land of our ancestors)
Ndiya zidla ngalo (We are proud of it)

(Continued verse)
Umhlaba Wabantu
Nokhokho bethu
Ndiya zidla ngalo

(Occasional performances)
Noba kanjani silolibona ilanga... (No matter what, we will see the sun)

Kumandi... (Oh yes...)
Kumandi bakithi bo!

Kumandi kwelakakith Eafrica! (It's beautiful in Africa!)

Ibabeni njalo bakithi ninga dinwa (Hold on tight, my people; don't get weary)
Ningapheleliwa nga mandla (Don't lose your strength)
Siyababona bebefun' ukusiqeda (We can see - they wanted to hold us back)
One by one

Ngeke balunge (They will not succeed)
One by one
Sizo nqoba (We will win)
One by one
Ngeke ba lunge (They will not succeed)
One by one

(Repeat verse above)

Sizo nqoba (We will win)
Ngoba thina, siyazaz (Because we know who we are)

Ngoba thina, siyazaz (Because we know who we are)

(Repeat verse above)

Ibala lami elimnyama (The color of my skin that is dark)
Ndiya zidla ngalo (I'm proud of it)

Ibala lami elimnyama (The color of my skin that is dark)
Ndiza kufa ngalo (I will be gone with it)

(Repeat verse above)

Kumnandi... (Oh yes...)
Kumandi bakithi bo!

Kumandi kwelakakith Eafrica! (It's beautiful in Africa!)

Silolibona
Silolibona thina
Sizo nqoba
Ethembeni thina

Sizo nqoba
Stembe nkosini thina

Silolibona (Silolibona)
Silolibona (Silolibona thina)
Silolibona (Sizo nqoba)
Silolibona (Ethembeni thina)

Silolibona (Silolibona thina)
Silolibona (Sizo nqoba)

Ibabeni njalo bakithi ninga dinwa (Hold on tight, my people; don't get weary)
Ningapheleliwa nga mandla (Don't lose your strength)
Siyababona ngoba kanjani (We can see - they taught us how)
One by one

Sizo nqoba (We will win)
One by one
Sizo nqoba
One by one
Sizo nqoba

(Repeat verse above)

Sizo nqoba

Silolibona m'yethu bamba

(Repeat verse above)
Kahle, siyazaz (2x)

Noba kanjani silolibona ilanga (No matter what, we will see the sun)
Noba kanjani silolibona ilanga
Noba kanjan...

(Repeat verse above)

Silolibona (Silolibon)

(Repeat)

Noba kanjani silolibona ilanga
Noba kanjani silolibona ilanga
Noba kanjan...

Noba kanjani silolibona ilanga
Noba kanjani silolibona ilanga

Zobona bayabaleka (Come and see)
Zobona, zobon (The cowards are running away)
Zobona, zobon
Zobona
Zobon, amagwala

Umhlaba Wabantu (Land of the people)
Gazilabantu (Yes, all the people)
Ndiya zidla ngalo (We are proud of it)

Umhlaba Wabantu
Gazilabantu
Ndiya zidla ngalo

Umhlaba Wabantu (Land of our people)
Nokhokho bethu (Land of our ancestors)
Ndiya zidla ngalo (We are proud of it)

Soloist: Umhlaba Wabantu (Land of the people)
Stembe nkosini (Our protector)
Sqonde phambili wema (Praises all of us)

Umhlaba Wabantu
Nokhoko bethu
(vocalizes)

Umhlaba Wabantu
Nokhoko bethu
Stembe nkosini
(vocalizes)

Male Chorus: Umhlaba Wabantu

Umhlaba Wabantu
Gazilabantu (Gazilabantu)
Ndiya zidla (Stembe nkosini)
Ngalo

Umhlaba Wabantu (Stembe nkosini)
Gazilabantu (Stembe nkosini)
Ndiya zidla ngalo

Umhlaba Wabantu (Stembe nkosini)
Nokhoko bethu (Stembe nkosini)
Ndiya zidla ngalo

Noba kanjani silolibona ilanga...

Kumnandi (Oh yes)
Kumnandi bakithi bo

Kumnandi kwelakakith Eafrica (It's beautiful in Africa)

v - e - d

Media Films: The Lion King (video) • The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (video) • The Lion King 1½ (video) • The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar • The Lion King (2019) (video) • Mufasa: The Lion King Television: Find Out Why • Timon & Pumbaa (videography) • Timon and Pumbaa's Wild About Safety • The Lion Guard (videography) • It's UnBungalievable! Soundtracks: The Lion King • Rhythm of the Pride Lands • The Legacy Collection • The Lion King Collection • Return to Pride Rock: Songs Inspired by Disney's The Lion King II: Simba's Pride • Best of the Lion King • The Lion King 1½: Songs from Timon and Pumbaa's Hilarious Adventure • Original Broadway Cast Recording • Festival of the Lion King • The Legend of the Lion King • The Lion Guard • The Lion King (2019 film) • The Lion King & Jungle Festival: Rhythms of the Pride Lands Video games: The Lion King • Timon and Pumbaa's Jungle Games • The Lion King: Simba's Mighty Adventure • Kingdom Hearts II • Animated Storybook: The Lion King • Disney Universe • Disney Infinity: 2.0 Edition • Adventures in Typing with Timon and Pumbaa • Activity Center • The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride: Active Play • The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride GameBreak • The Lion King 1½ • Disney Crossy Road • Disney Emoji Blitz • Disney Heroes: Battle Mode • Kingdom Hearts III • Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King • Disney Classic Games Collection • The Lion King: Operation Pridelands Books: Marvel Comics • The Art and Making of The Lion King • The Lion Guard: Can't Wait to be Queen • The Lion King: The Novelization • The Lion King: The Full Film Script Cancelled projects: King of the Jungle • The Lion Guard: Hear Me Roar! • The Lion King Family Tree Disney Parks Rafiki's Planet Watch • Disney's Art of Animation Resort • Disney's Explorers Lodge • The Annex • Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable • Disney Animation Building • It's a Small World • Mickey's PhilharMagic • Rhythm of the Jungle • Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom • The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management) • The Lion Guard Adventure • The Lion King: Pride Land (The Lion King attraction) Entertainment: Animagique • Disney's Believe • Disney's Wishes • Disney Dreams: An Enchanted Classic • Disney KiteTails • Fantasmic! • Feel the Magic • Festival of Family & Friends • Festival of the Lion King • Hakuna Matata Time Dance Party • It's Party Time... with Mickey and Friends • Mickey and the Magician • Mickey and the Wondrous Book • Mickey's Gift of Dreams • Mickey's Magical Music World • Once Upon a Mouse • Rivers of Light: We Are One • The Adventure of Rhythm • The Golden Mickeys • The Legend of the Lion King • Villains Tonight! Restaurants: Restaurant Hakuna Matata Parades: A Million Splashes of Colour • Disney's Magical Moments Parade • Disney's Party Express • Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade • Disney Cinema Parade • Disney Magic on Parade • Disney Stars on Parade • Flights of Fantasy Parade • Jubilation! • Mickey & Friends Street Celebration • Mickey's Soundsational Parade • Mickey's Storybook Express • The Lion King Celebration • The Wonderful World of Disney Parade • Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams Fireworks: Celebrate the Magic • Celebrate! Tokyo Disneyland • Disney Dreams! • Disneyland Forever • Happily Ever After • Harmonious • Ignite the Dream: A Nighttime Spectacular of Magic and Light • Illuminate! A Nighttime Celebration • The Magic, the Memories and You • Momentous • Once Upon a Time • Tree of Life Awakens • Wonderful World of Animation • World of Color • Wondrous Journeys Summer: Stitch and Friends Summer Surprise Halloween: Happy Hallowishes • Villains Grove Characters The Lion King: Simba • Nala • Mufasa • Scar • Rafiki • Timon • Pumbaa • Zazu • Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed • Sarabi • Sarafina • The Pridelanders • Pride Land Animals • Hyena Clan • Wildebeests • Gopher • Vultures • Grubs The Lion King II: Simba's Pride: Kiara • Kovu • Zira • Vitani • Nuka • Outsiders • Crocodiles The Lion King 1½: Ma • Uncle Max • Meerkat Colony Timon & Pumbaa: The Native Chief • The Three Natives • Mother Gorilla • Fronk Fegnugen • Monti • Baampu • Nobi • Fred • Quint • The Woodpecker • Bruce • Stinky • Ralph and Eddie • Teds • Savage Lion • Bartholomew • The Tarsier • Toucan Dan • Vulture Police • Ned • Nefu • Rabbit • Uncle Boaris • Uncle Ernie • Boss Beaver • Boy Beaver • Lester the Whale • The Tigress • Jackal • The Cobra • Speedy the Snail • Smolder the Bear • Little Jimmy • Irwin • El Toro • Count Down • Mr. Pig • Wolverine • Jumbo Jumbo the Elephant • Cheetato and Cheetata • Martin Partin • Rita Book • Chef Claude • Captain Bloodbeard • Cisco Pig • Cisco Pig's Gang • Dr. Cagliostro • Torgo • The Meerkat Angel • Wonderful Rhino of Laws • Pumbaa Jr. • Dr. Happy • Leslie Lambeau • Mr. Buttons • Sharla • Warthog Sounder • Herman • Lara • Mel • Claudius • Bahuka • Tutan Pharaoh • Genie • Madame Credenza • Duke Meerkat • Tatiana • Mother Eagle • Baby Earl • King Leopold • Princess Claudia • Sigmund and Lloyd • Heimlich and Schnitzel • Mad Dog McGraw, Billy the Goat, and Three-fingered Jackelope • Dr. Exeter • Sal Mander • Jungle Inspector • Bigfoot • Pimon and Tumbaa The Lion Guard: Kion • Bunga • Fuli • Beshte • Ono • Tiifu • Zuri • Janja • Cheezi • Chungu • Janja's Clan • Mzingo • Mzingo's Parliament • Mwoga • Makuu • Makuu's Float • Pua • Basi • Basi's Pod • Ushari • Jasiri • Madoa • Tunu and Wema • Jasiri's Clan • Thurston • Mbeya • Porcupine Brothers • Ma Tembo • Zito • Aminifu • Reirei • Goigoi • Dogo • Dogo's Brothers • Kijana • Reirei's Pack • Twiga • Juhudi • Shingo • Muhanga and Muhangus • Tamaa • Nala's Father • Swala • Muhimu • Hamu • Ajabu • Makucha • Makucha's Leap • Makucha's Army • Fahari • Jiona • Mjomba • Ogpoa • Haya • Laini • Badili • Mbuni • Mapigano • Mtoto • Gumba • Kambuni • Kwato • Shauku • Nne • Tano • Vuruga Vuruga • Young Rhino • Lioness • Majinuni and Hafifu • King Sokwe • Hadithi • Big Baboon • Bupu • Boboka • Chura • Kifaru • Mwenzi • Uroho • Mwizi • Kulinda • Ona • Mpishi • Makini • Shupavu • Waza • Njano • Kiburi • Tamka • Nduli • Kiburi's Float • Chama • Kenge • Dhahabu • Hodari • Starehe • Raha • Nyuni • Sumu • Kongwe • Kinyonga • Kuchimba • Shujaa • Anga • Strange Lion • Strange Cobra • The Fastest • The Strongest • The Bravest • The Keenest of Sight • Yuki • Hitashi • Kimyo and Nabasu • Domog • Dughi • Bogino • Chuluun • Pãgala • Krud'dha • Lumba-Lumba • Old Civet • Ora • Komodo Dragon • Fikiri • Kitendo • Tupp • Azaad • Flamingo Girls • Flamingo Girls' Flamboyance • Tenuk • Tompok • Seisou • Bambun • Mouse Deer • Mama Binturong • Smun • Yun Mibu • Nirmala • Rani • Baliyo • Surak • Janna • Ullu • Sãhasí • Ãnanda • Binga • Tangaagim • Pinguino • Cek and Rama • Tsah and Sasem • Astuto • Varya • Feliks, Pasha, and Polina • Heng Heng • Kely • Kely's Troop • Askari • Shabaha • Kasi • Imara • Tazama Printed Media: Uru • Ahadi • Kopa • Boma • Zuzu • Joka • Lulu Deleted: Diku • Baasho • Iggy • Herr Rhino • Kwashi • Bhati • Mheetu • Banagi • Daabi • Dwala • Naanda Remake: Dembe Mufasa: The Lion King: Kiros • Eshe • Obasi • Masego • Afia Miscellaneous: Zawadi • Kiume • Kibibi • Nakawa Episodes Timon & Pumbaa • The Lion Guard Locations The Lion King Trilogy: Africa • Mount Kilimanjaro • Pride Rock • The Pride Lands • The Water Hole • The Elephant Graveyard • The Gorge • Jungle • Rafiki's Ancient Tree • The Outlands Timon & Pumbaa: Zazu's Tree • Madame Credenza's Place • Savage Rock • Boss Beaver's Log Land • The Tree of Truth • Dismal Swamp The Lion Guard: Lair of the Lion Guard • Janja's Den • Tree of Life Songs The Lion King: Circle of Life • The Morning Report • I Just Can't Wait to Be King • Be Prepared • Hakuna Matata • Can You Feel the Love Tonight • Hawaiian War Chant Instrumental Scores: This Land • Hyenas • ...To Die For • Under the Stars • King of Pride Rock • Didn't Your Mother Tell You Not to Play with Your Food • We are All Connected • Hyenas in the Pride Lands • Elephant Graveyard • I Was Just Trying to Be Brave • Stampede • Mufasa Dies • If You Ever Come Back We'll Kill You • Bowling for Buzzards • We Gotta Bone to Pick With You • Kings of the Past • Nala, Is It Really You? • Remember Who You Are • This Is My Home • The Rightful King Rhythm of the Pride Lands: The Lion Sleeps Tonight • Kube • Lea Halalela • It's Time • Lala • Busa • Noyana The Lion King II: Simba's Pride: He Lives in You • We Are One • My Lullaby • Upendi • One of Us • Love Will Find a Way The Lion King 1½: Digga Tunnah • That's All I Need • Sunrise, Sunset • Grazing in the Grass Musical: Lioness Hunt • Rafiki Mourns • One by One • Grasslands Chant • Chow Down • The Madness of King Scar • Shadowland • Endless Night • Simba Confronts Scar Timon & Pumbaa: The Lion Sleeps Tonight • Alone Together • Stand by Me • Yummy Yummy Yummy The Lion Guard: Call of the Guard • A Beautiful Day (Ni Siku Nzuri) • Zuka Zama • Tonight We Strike • Kion's Lament • It is Time • Here Comes the Lion Guard • We're the Same (Sisi Ni Sawa) • Don't Make a Stink • Bunga the Wise • Duties of the King • Outta the Way • Jackal Style • Our Kupatana Community • My Own Way • Utamu • All Hail The Vultures • Hero Inside • Bird of a Thousand Voices • Panic and Run • Trail to Hope • Life in the Pride Lands • We'll Make You a Meal • Find Your Roar • Chungu's Lament • Baboons • Beware of the Zimwi • Lions Over All • Stand Up, Stand Out • Kuishi Ni Kucheka • Running with the King • Hadithi the Hero • Makin' Hippo Lanes • Tickbirds and Rhinos • Teke Ruka Teleza • Everyone is Welcome • The Traveling Baboon Show • A Real Meal • Fujo • The Path of Honor • Bring Back a Legend • Today is my Day • I Have A Plan • Gotta Look on the Bright Side • The Worst Hyena We Know • May There Be Peace • Big Bad Kenge • Christmas in the Pride Lands • The Twelve Ways of Christmas • I Do Have a Great Deal to Say • Fabulous Dhahabu • Give a Little Guy a Chance • We're the Smartest • Good King Simba • The Faster I Go • I'm Gonna Run This Dump • Now You See Me, Now You Don't • Wisdom on the Walls • He's The Zebra Mastermind • Kwetu Ni Kwetu • Nothin' to Fear Down Here • Shujaa Ponda • Pride Landers Unite! • Prance With Me • Tujiinue • Height and Sight • We Will Defend • A New Way to Go • On the Last Night • When I Led the Guard • The Tree of Life • Home of a Snow Monkey's Dreams • Ghost of the Mountain • Anything • That's the Dolphin Way • As You Move Forward • Flamingo Dance Party • You Best Not Mess With Mama • Friends to the End • Kion's Reckoning • Welcome to the Tree of Life • Who is Better Than Who • Poa the Destroyer • Long Live the Queen • Remember What Makes You You • The Power of the Roar • Of the Same Pride • As You Move On Remake: Life's Not Fair • Rafiki's Fireflies • Scar Takes the Throne • Simba is Alive! • Reflections of Mufasa • Spirit • Battle for Pride Rock • Remember • Never Too Late • Mbube Mufasa: The Lion King Ngomso • I Always Wanted a Brother • Milele Deleted: To Be King • Warthog Rhapsody • The Lion of the Moon • Old Fearless Buzz • The Madness of King Scar • Where Do I Belong Miscellaneous: Safety Smart See Also Rafiki's Bakora Staff • Great Lions of the Past • Musical • Lion Guard • Roar of the Elders • Night Pride • Mark of the Guard • Mark of the Night Pride • Moja Kwa Moja Stone • Tuliza •The Disney Afternoon • Find Out Why • House of Mouse • One by One • Timon & Pumbaa's Vacation Safari • As Told by Emoji