If you are a music lover like me, you will have a lot of songs you love without understanding a single word in them.
KitweOnLine offers this page as a way of Zambians helping to deepen and broaden the experience of Zambian music lovers worldwide.
You can submit your translation of the lyrics of Zambian songs into another language. This can be from Lozi into Nyanja, Kaonde into English or any combination of languages.
You don't have to know all the lyrics. The idea is to share, and other readers can fill in the gaps for you. Just put dots where you are not sure.
If there's a song you would love to know the lyrics, submit your request below, and the Zambian community will pool together to supply the lyrics.
If you are a musician, we want to hear from you. Send in the lyrics to your songs and help your audience appreciate the full depth of your offerings.
Please supply the title and artist if possible.
If you are a music promoter, you can supply your contact details here so that readers know where to buy the music from.
If you spot any mistakes in the lyrics submitted here, please feel free to drop us a line with your correction.
Feel free to use the comments box below and let's all enjoy!!
An added bonus to this approach is that people can use the lyrics to learn another Zambian language!
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IMBEKA (Angel) from UBWINGA Album by Madalas Band (Kitwe)
Mwimbona amamba munuma (x2)
Do not be deceived by the ugly scales on my back (x2)
Nine na fyala uyu mwana, nine nafyala iyi imbeka
It is I who gave birth to this child,
It is I who gave birth to this shining angel.
(Repeat)
Newasalangana ameno (x2)
I, with my crooked teeth (x2)
Nine na fyala uyu mwana, nine nafyala iyi mbeka
I am the one who gave birth to this child,
It is I who gave birth to this shining angel.
(Repeat)
Mwimbona imyunga munuma (x2)
Do not be deceived by my thorny back (x2)
Nine na fyala uyu mwana, nine nafyala iyi mbeka
It is I who gave birth to this child,
It is I who gave birth to this shining angel.
(Repeat)
Kanshi ubushimbe bupina, naba fimanga lumolwine,
You know what! Being single is a form of poverty
Witches are in the same boat
Bena ukufyala lisambi, Yangu ukushama we mayo
For them (witches), having children is a sin,
Oh, how sad. (x2)
(Repeat)
Mweba funda aba bana, mwisalangana ilelo
To all you teachers of these children,
Do not disperse this day (of celebration)
Fwebapanga ishi mbeka, yangu ukushuka we tata
All of us who nurtured these children,
How lucky we are! (x2)
(Repeat)
Mwimbona amamba munuma (x2)
Do not be deceived by the ugly scales on my back (x2)
Nine na fyala uyu mwana, nine nafyala iyi imbeka
It is I who gave birth to this child,
It is I who gave birth to this shining angel.
(Repeat)
————————–
SELITA from UBWINGA Album by Madalas Band (Kitwe)
(Introduction:)
Kale abafyashi ebale salila umwana wabo umwanakashi wakupa;
In days gone by, parents used to chose a wife for their son to marry
Ici califye, pantu imitundu yalifye iinono.
This was acceptable because communities were small
Ilelo cili kumwine umwaume uku isalila umwanakashi wakupa
These days, it is up to a man to chose who they marry
Pantu batila: “Icitemwa umwine, cifi ca ngulube,”
As the saying goes: "What is precious to one person appears as buffalo dung to another"
Elyo kabili “Akoni kekale kumusambo katemenwe”
It's also said: "A bird alights on a branch of its own choosing"
Eico mwe ba fyashi, lekeni abana abene baisalile.
So, dear parents, let your children choose for themselves.
(UNCLE):
Ala nebo nshaliko ku Ndola,
I was not present in Ndola
Cine we mwipwa
My dear nephew
Abo bonse abaliko ku Ndola
All those who attended the family meeting in Ndola
Cine we mwipwa
In all truth, my nephew,
Yangu bena ne ntambi, shonse balilofya,
Alas, they have lost all our traditions
Twalikufwaila umwanakashi; fyonse twali cita
We (in the village) have already found you a bride, everything has been arranged
Nomba webo watola mu Ndola
But you have gone and picked from Ndola
Uyu wena Selita mulwani
This Selita is an enemy
Uyu wena Selita cibanda (x2)
This Selita is a ghost
Aye Selita ni nganga (x2)
Yes, this Selita is a witch
(AUNTIE):
Mwebo ba Shi Chanda , ku Luwingu
Father of Chanda, from Luwingu
Imwe mwendume yandi
My dear brother,
Mwebo mwasobola ku Luwingu
You have gone and chosen someone from Luwingu
Ati eo akope,
For your nephew to marry
Cacine kwena ni ntambi;
It is true that this is our custom
bonse twasumina
We all agree with you
Lelo kwena ino myaka kuli nabashikonka umukowa
But these days there are those who don't follow family lines
Nabengi abaupwa mu Ndola, ne fyupo fyali cindama
The majority of people who have married in Ndola have honourable marriages
Umutundu teu teka icupo, iyo; mutima wa muntu (x2)
It is not someone's tribe, but their heart that strengthens a marriage
