"The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is a well-known song featured in both the film and musical versions of The Lion King, as well as at the end of the third episode of Timon & Pumbaa and on Track 3 from the CD, Rhythm of the Pride Lands.
It was originally sung by The Tokens, as well as written and recorded as "Mbube" ("Lion" in Zulu) in South Africa by Solomon Linda in 1939. The song is also performed in the Festival of the Lion King shows at the Disney Parks.
Contents
Lyrics
Whee-hee-hee-hee, whee-hee-hee-hee, a-we-um Mbube (x2)
(Chorus: A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh) (x4)
In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
In the jungle, the quiet jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
(chorus)
Near the village, the peaceful village
The lion sleeps tonight
Near the village, the quiet village
The lion sleeps tonight
(chorus)
(vocalizes)
Hush my darling, don't fear my darling
The lion sleeps tonight
Hush my darling, don't fear my darling
The lion sleeps tonight
(chorus)
Whee-hee-hee-hee, whee-hee-hee-hee, a-we-um Mbube (x2)
(repeat until fade)
Pumbaa: A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh (x4)
Timon: In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps to...
(speaks) I can't hear ya, buddy, back me up!
(returns to singing) A-weeeeeeeeeeeee
A-Pumbaa-bumba-waaaayyy
Lala kahle (Sleep well)
In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
(chorus)
Imbube
Ingonyama ifile (The lion is in peace)
Ingonyama ilele (The lion sleeps)
Thula (Hush)
Near the village, the peaceful village
The lion sleeps tonight
Near the village, the peaceful village
The lion sleeps tonight
(chorus)
Hush, my darling, don't fear, my darling
The lion sleeps tonight
Hush, my darling, don't fear, my darling
The lion sleeps tonight
He, ha helelemama
He, ha helelemama
Ohi'mbube (Lion)
(chorus)
Ixesha lifikile (Time has come)
Lala (Sleep)
Lala kahle (Sleep well)
Near the village, the peaceful village
The lion sleeps tonight
Near the village, the peaceful village
The lion sleeps tonight
(chorus)
My little darling
Don't fear, my little darling
My little darling
Don't fear, my little darling
Ingonyama ilele (The lion sleeps)
Rafiki: Whee-hee-hee-hee, whee-hee-hee-hee, a-we-um Mbube (x2)
Pumbaa: A-weema-weh, a-weema, a-weema...
Chorus: A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh (x4)
(repeats)
Rafiki: Whee-hee-hee-hee, a-we-um Mbube
Timon: In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
In the jungle, the quiet jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
(chorus)
Near the village, the peaceful village
The lion sleeps tonight
Near the village, the quiet village
The lion sleeps tonight...
Simba: Whoa, whoa! Whoa, whoa!
Whoa, I'm on my way!
Rafiki: (trills/chants)
Timon: (vocalizes)
Hush my darling, don't fear my darling
The lion sleeps tonight
Hush my darling...
Pumbaa: Don't fear my darling!
The lion sleeps tonight! (Hey, hey!)
Simba: Whoa, whoa! Whoa, whoa!
Whoa, I'm on my way!
I'm on my way! I'm on my way!
(scats)
(chorus)
Rafiki: Whee-hee-hee-hee, whee-hee-hee-hee, a-we-um Mbube...
Pumbaa: A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh...
(verse repeatedly heard when Timon sings)
Timon: Whee-hee-hee-hee, whee-hee-hee-hee, a-we-um Mbube (x2)
In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
In the jungle, the quiet jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
(chorus)
Near the village, the peaceful village
The lion sleeps tonight
Near the village, the quiet village
The lion sleeps tonight
(chorus)
(ends with Nala roaring, scaring Timon and Pumbaa)
Other performances
This song was also performed by a jungle full of Muppet animals in Episode 103 of Muppets Tonight, much to the dismay of a Muppet lion attempting to get a good night's sleep. After making a futile attempt to shut out the noise by covering his ears with pillows, the lion charges into the jungle, yelling at the animals to "STOP SINGING!" and chasing them off the stage (running over Clifford in the process) and eventually out of the studio.
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