I never knew about this original song, nor the background story. It moved me to tears. I now have a much deeper appreciation for this song. Glad to hear the original artists' families are receiving royalties for this deeply moving and beautiful piece of work. Thank you for sharing this history 🙏.

I am so glad to be schooled on the history of this song. It is powerful and it tugs and my heart strings.

Thanks for this. We played this at my father’s funeral. He was born in Natal, South Africa on the borders of Zululand. One historical point though, Shaka was not involved in struggles against the colonial powers. He predated the incursion of the Europeans by many years and was responsible for major warfare with the neighbouring clans. It was his descendants who fought the Europeans.

This is so enlightening; the sleeping king, who will awaken to help the Zulu people. How strongly soft. I've subscribed, and flick my fingers at the Disney Lion King movie, because this song is far purer than that and more profound. Thanks, my brother from another country. That was the best recording ever of this song I've heard so far. The baggy euro clothes can be ignored.

Born and grew up at KwaNongoma with no radio and tv we only knew the original version and passed from generation to generation.

Hauntingly beautiful describes this original version as best it can be described. How very, very special this recording is. Harri, I feel like I just had one of my best days at your school of reactions. So grateful to have been exposed to this gem. Thank you Harri, an amazing recording!

Thank you for playing this. Makes me want to cry. Such pain. Beautiful harmony.

They’re crying out their last hope. So powerful.

My goosebumps have goosebumps. I had nor known the story behind the song. Thank you Harri.

So glad to see someone reacting to this magnificent song.

Many thanks for this Hari. I'd never heard the original version before, and who but Pete Seeger to bring the back story. I've been listening to Pete and The Weavers version for 70 years and it's great to know where it came from. You should dive into The Weavers sometime when you get a chance - in many ways the real beginning of the folk music boom in the 50s and 60s.

I had no idea this song was a cover by the Tokens. Nor who the Tokens were, for that matter. I just knew the song. My whole life. But now I know the truth of this song, or should I say the truthS of this song, and I have you to thank for it. Thank you! 👍🙂

Thanks for sharing this great song and the story behind it. Very moving.

Wow! Thanks SO much to the requestor and to you Harri. Knew of the Tokens version but not this original, or the context. Very grateful. Love sharing these musical explorations with you, seeing you react to the 50s-70s music that I'm largely familiar with , and learning of earlier and later gems that I've been less exposed to.

Thank you for the explanation of the background of the song. Sad but beautiful.

Thanks so much for posting this. It's so great to see credit finally given where credit is due. The group The Tokens and their record company made millions off of this song in the 1960s and never even acknowledged the song's origin, much less paid royalties. I'm glad Disney has to.

@The1958Rocker

Жыл бұрын

There was another group released this before the Tokens and they didn't credit these guys either. It may have been "the way things were done back then" but I'm sorry, its so wrong. It is an amazing song in its originality. ❤️❤️👏👏👏

I’ve heard the Tokens but I’ve also heard Ladysmith Black Mambazo singing this and it’s very beautifully done by them as well. They are amazing to watch. Nice Sharla and great reaction Harri.

@videocat1366

Жыл бұрын

The Tokens made millions and never acknowledged the origins, even decades later when they performed it at Oldies shows.

Wow how powerful! What a wonderful analysis Harri. May I say those gentlemen new how to dress.

Pete Seeger was a saint. He loved this song!

@gegemec

5 ай бұрын

Seeger gave the original people from whom the song was taken "a very generous" 1000 $USA, despite its USA cover making squillions out of it. Cultural appropriation, we have all been doin it in the west, even Pete Seeger.

Thanks Harri for the music/history lesson.

Thank you tremendously, Harri. So much to hear and dig into. So much to find.

Indeed the family won the court case concerning the song. I'm a South African who is also a Zulu South African. I do understand This song is indeed deep and spiritual as well.

Thank you so much for your reaction to the original version. Please continue to research the songs that you react to. Each has a context which should be explained so that newer generations can understand the true meaning of the lyrics and melodies. As a wise man once said, “Those who do not know their history are doomed to repeat it “

Thanks for showcasing this 1939 original. I didn't know about it. It is draining for ones with empathy and a connection to African countries. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 ❤

That was wonderful. Thanks for sharing. ❤❤❤❤❤

Very beautiful and I agree it is very haunting and it makes you think about what they went through back then.

I remember the version by the 'Tokens" but have never heard this original version...Ty brother Harri

Colonialism - we took their land, their artefacts, their minerals and their songs. I am though glad that Mbube lives on - I really enjoy all versions of this but never want to forget Mbube.

This is THE SONG that put Afrikan Music on the Global Musical Map.

Sir Harry, Thank you for your video and your kind words regarding this song which has a wealth of history of which I did not know. I actually had a vision this month (2-23) of the singer, Jackie Evancho doing a final song in one of her concerts of WIMOWEH, where she relates this history, and more while a sizable production of everybody who made this song famous was part of this production.

Pete Seeger was an American folk legend--he lived in my town and I would see him and we would always greet each other. Pete was responsible for recording and performing songs of social importance, everything from protest/labor songs like "Which Side Are You On?" and "Solidarity Forever", "We Shall Overcome", "This Land Is Your Land", "Union Maid" to traditional American folk melodies like "Shenandoah" and " Goodnight Irene".One of his greatest hits was "Turn, Turn, Turn". He had a deep respect for world music and recorded "Guantanamera" in Spanish, "L'Internationale" in French. As a scholar of world music, I'm not surprised that he knew the real story of "Mbube",and sung it in Zulu.

Just discovered this tonight. Grew up in the 60s and obviously knew the song "The Lion Sleeps tonight". But this is different. It's authentic and haunting. Thanks for posting.

What a gift to hear this! Thank you.

I had no idea the original version was created by this amazing group. Thank you kindly for sharing.

I know I'm late, but thank you so very very much for sharing this! How incredible!

Wow, I've never heard this version. Beautiful. Thank you for posting.

Merci. Je suis très très touchée par la version originale. C est incroyable 😮😍

How Deeply Haunting!! Thank You Brother For Sharing This Incredible and Original Song! And The Powerful History Lesson!

We had this on a 78 RPM early 1950's. I never was able to fiend it after that. Then when the Lion Sleeps Tonight, I hoped to fiend it again, But it was not the same. Thank you for reaction to this song.

I originally heard the song was sung by animal herders who feared the lions attacking their herds at night. I only know The Tokens version, which I thought was the original. Certainly this represents a more emotional tune representing a very sad time. Great reaction Harri though difficult for you. Thanks Harri and Sharla. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦

@rollomaughfling380

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, there was a lot of confusion and controversy around the song due to publishing-industry presumption and greed. Solomon Linda definitely wrote it, though. There's a whole documentary that came out a few years ago called _The Lion's Share_ that goes into the whole mess.

@burrichgrrl57

Жыл бұрын

I heard the same about the song. It basically said "go away lions" lol. I believe that Solomon Linda was a herder as a boy.

@rollomaughfling380

Жыл бұрын

@@burrichgrrl57 Solomon worked in a furniture shop in Johannesburg, and then a hotel. Why do people just post nonsense like this without actually reading up on it? I hope you don't vote in whichever country you live in. Geez.

@muzithabethe8521

6 ай бұрын

The sound is about emancipatory outlook, it seeks to explain historical Injustice. For four hundred years, a people carried an intergenerational pain, written off, pillaged, raped and looted.

Isso é a nossa mãe ÁFRICA e suas canções de lamento onde exteriorizavam todas as mazelas vividas. Fica evidente a alegria em tornar conhecida suas origens. AMANDLA !!!

I have been lucky to hear this several years ago.... 👍One of the special songs of yesteryears.🙏

Sometimes the worse can bring out the best,out of the oppressed, it is beautiful, I'm native american, we also have have songs personal and family chants passed down, thank u for the video,😊

This sent chills up and down my spine, with many mixed emotions....... *NO* human should ever feel this much pain 😔

What a great reaction, mate ... ♥♥

Mr Harri Thank you for enlightening me To the original song here , umm, the newer version? the lion sleeps tonight is OK I liked it as a child but to hear this history behind this song is amazing! Thanks For this house touched my soul And I really appreciate the majesty and pageantry of These men's Voices Thank you again god bless, rev red-rob curry Jr

Thank you to our host. Wild about this original version. Talk about talent. Too bad it wasn’t discovered until many decades later

Thank you for the education. Great work

Thank you for sharing my brother 🦁🪘

Wow, Harri. I knew some of this from listening to Miriam Makeba over the years but I didn't realize the deeper emotion tied to it. Another crying shame is how few people know Fela Kuti's music like "Sorrow Tears and Pain" speaking of oppression from colonization. Excellent. Excellent.

Being a native American, I can really get into the meaning of this song. I will never look at it the same again. There is a lot of understandable pain in it.

I found and listened to your channel for the first time today and love the music you play and comment on. Look forward to more videos.

@windycitykitty

Жыл бұрын

You are in for a treat, this channel is full of love and positivity, and of course great music commentary.

Haunting Beautiful 🥰💕😳this comes from the Heart 🫠😬

YOU ARE DEFINITELY RIGHT

Thank you for putting this together for us. You saved my fingertips a lot of wear and tear trying to find this original version. Thank you.

Wow. This was haunting. You can feel it. Thank you for this, Harri. I learned something today for sure. I also thought the Tokens version was the original.

Thank you, Harri. I first heard this through Jamel's reaction to it, but I don't recall Jamel finding Pete Seeger's explanation of "The Lion." That is fascinating and gives the song a completely different meaning than I had ever known.

This is fantastic!

Painfully indeed am now n tears 😢

A lot of recordings from this time is worth listening to. Fun fact: If you listen to this like "100 years old"-recordings ... you already know most of these songs as they became famous later on by some groups who (re-) recorded it. Some credits to some known classics are labeled as "unknown" or "trad. arrangement", but everybody know the tune and or lyrics! For example "House Of The Rising Sun", "Black Betty", "Sixteen Tons", "Crossroads" or like the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" ... It's always incredible to discover "new" old field recordings from this time! :)

This version of this song is so powerful, I love it!

Great story

This is so cool! Great reaction Harri!🌺✌️

Thank you 🙏👌👌

Wow! Amazing! Thank you!

yes! Thank you, have been waiting a long time for this reaction. Love your channel, HarriBest!

Absolutely true Sharka was a great Zoeloe fighter

As they should have gotten the credit. God bless

Beautiful song and I love the history behind it and it is sad that Solomon Linda is only NOW getting some recognition, so many years after he passed away. Just some facts to further fill in the background: King Shaka was killed by his own half-brother (Dingane). Not by European colonizers. King Shaka lived from 1787 to 1828 The Anglo-Zulu War reigned from 11 January 1879 - 4 July 1879. many years after the death of King Shaka Apartheid only started in 1948, so this was 10 years before racial oppression in South Africa. Slavery was abolished in South Africa in 1834, 114 years before this song came out. Before apartheid was implemented as an official policy, both black and white South Africans lived in abject poverty and difficult conditions. The truths and reality of racial inequality in South Africa is well noted, even before Apartheid became an official government policy. However Solomon Linda would never have been in chains or a slave. Still it is very sad that someone like Solomon Linda never even stood a chance to get the recognition he deserved for this song

Wow This has been a revelation. Thank you Harri

Made me cry it's so beautifuls!

Harri...you're a good guy.

A lot f of pain those days 👍

Thank you Harri, what a gem 😇😇😇

I get goosebupmps!

Eddie Murphy's "Coming To America" Movie Opens With This Song!!!!!

He was onto it right away!

Thanks for this!

Wow. Thanks for doing that research!

👍👍👍

Love it so much soul!

Very haunting and moving song.

Una bellissima ninna nanna ! ❤

Harri, I know you're impressed when you give a standing on vacation.

This reminds me of Ladysmith Black Mombazo. One of my favorite African sounds. Aca pela group that sang with Paul Simon, but are popular on the continent in their own right.

@mikefetterman6782

Жыл бұрын

I went to Kenya and Tanzania in 1988 and most nights, the local Maasai or Samburu tribe would stop by our camp and entertain us for hours by singing and dancing. It always made me feel like being home. The high pitched parts are usually meant as joyous, gleeful moments in the Maasai songs, not sorrowful at all.

Here one on a similar vein... Eyi Wala Dong · Guy Warren · Red Saunders Orchestra

See if you can find Remastered: the Lion’s share documentary. Even the process of paying the ancestors of solomon Linda is tinged with sadness and theft of dignity.

My late late father knew Sharka my friend

The real thing!

😭😭

And the ‘Evening Birds’ correct?

Understanding the story behind the song certainly does change our perspective.Thank you! This sounds like that first recording...kzread.info/dash/bejne/rGmnrZamgrmqmps.html

The original artists only got pennies for this.

Here's a collection of Linda's recordings kzread.info/dash/bejne/gqWXtJShe6_UmLg.html Anyone speak the language these records were recorded in (Bantu?) so we can determine what they're about?

I can't wait for Africans to thrive in their own continent.

YOU ONLY PLAYED 2 OF MY OCT REQUEST¡!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 6TH REQUEST

@HarriBestReactions

Жыл бұрын

Hi Di..I have just checked for you in October requests.I couldnt find you there.So i checked the membership list and it says you REJOINED 7 DAYS AGO.When did you leave in the first place?Cos that must have been why j couldnt find your requests. Could you please clarify exactly what your situation is? Thanx

Afaik, this song was mostly improvised and integrated some traditional elements common amonst many sub-saharan populations. All those anti-colonialism interpretations were made by other people after. The simplest interpretation is that a local, poor black man made a song incorporating music of his people and his own life experiences. Miriam Makeba, a very talented artist made, imo, an even more soulfull version. The Tokens version is a happier version made by people with a more privileged background. Unfortunately for them and fortunately for us, great talent AND personal suffering are necessary for songs with a human soul in them.

It is haunting and beautiful, but it is a lot of wailing with no variety. I don't know how it would make you weak.

what is the translation ? it may have been an inspiration for the tokens but nothing like their version

I don't think it reached the world...which was a much BIGGER place then...things didn't travel. Pete Seeger(who wasn't the worst) and others, were involved with collecting Folk music...which had NO COPYRIGHT...and made alterations, which then became copyrighted...The Music Business was and is not a nice place...doing good for humanity...it is driven by corporate greed...and a quick buck..genuine people were involved in the process Consider Paul Simon/Graceland