Milele

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Milele
Attribution information
Composer	Lin-Manuel Miranda
Lyricist	Lin-Manuel Miranda
Performers	•  Anika Noni Rose  •  Keith David
Release information
Released	December 13, 2024
Track	2
Length	2:27
Albums	•  Mufasa: The Lion King (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)  •  Mufasa: The Lion King (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack/Deluxe Edition)
Appearances	Mufasa: The Lion King
Samples
Versions	Milele

“

It's about the continuation of hope and the search for joy and love, and holding on to that. ―Anika Noni Rose on "Milele"

”

"Milele" is a song composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda for Mufasa: The Lion King. It was released on December 13, 2024, as part of the film's official soundtrack and Deluxe Edition soundtrack.

Conception and development

“

I think the one that took the most care and had the most levels of iteration was probably "Milele." It's tough describing paradise, so I actually listened to a lot of spirituals. ―Lin-Manuel Miranda

”

Of all the songs in Mufasa: The Lion King, "Milele" required the most levels of iterations. In order to find inspiration, Lin-Manuel Miranda listened to church music and spirituals. While writing the song, he left room for Lebo M to incorporate African choral harmonies.

Release

Lin-Manuel Miranda served as both composer and lyricist of "Milele". The song was released on December 13, 2024, as part of the original motion picture soundtrack of Mufasa: The Lion King as well as its Deluxe Edition soundtrack. Anika Noni Rose and Keith David performed the song.

Use

“

Imagine. A kingdom full of life, water and food, grass and sky as far as the eye can see. ―Masego

”

"Milele" is the second of seven songs to appear in Mufasa: The Lion King. It begins when Mufasa's parents, Masego and Afia, tell him that they will someday reach the fabled paradise known as "Milele." As Masego and Afia describe Milele, Mufasa has a vision of a savanna oasis bountiful in water, plants, and food. Eventually, the vision comes to an end, as does the song.

Lyrics

Ensemble:
Sekuseduzani, empumalanga
Entshonalanga, sala ngoxolo

Afia:
Beyond the horizon
Beyond the last cloud in the sky
There's a place I know

Ensemble:
Siqhubek'ekhaya s'ofika

Afia:
Imagine a kingdom
(Ngothando, ngothando)
The water flows
The grass is high
(S'ofika)
It's not a dream
(Ngothando)
Someday, we'll go

We call it
(Tunaita)
Milele
(Milele)
It's always there
(Daimaiko)
Milele
(Milele)
It lives in you
It lives in me
(Sekuseduzani)
You'll see
(Milele)

Masego:
Life

Afia:
The Circle of Life is not small

Masego:
Great and small

Afia:
We know that

Afia and Masego:
There's enough for all
There is always more

Afia:
Can you feel it?

Masego:
Can you feel it?

Masego:
We're

Afia:
We'll wander no longer

Masego:
On your side

Afia:
We carry ancestors inside

Masego:
Like a constant tide
(S'ofika)

Afia:
It's not a dream

Masego:
On an endless shore
(Ngothando)

Afia:
Can you see it?
And as you grow

Masego:
Can you see it?

Afia:
Can you find your way?

Masego:
We call it
(Sekuseduzani)

Afia and Masego:
Milele
(Sekuseduzani, Milele)
It's always there
(Sekuseduzani, daimaiko)
Milele
(Empumalanga, sala ngoxolo)
We call it
(Sekuseduzani, daimaiko)
Milele
(Empumalanga, sala ngoxolo)
It's always there
(Sekuseduzani, daimaiko)
Milele
(Empumalanga, sala ngoxolo)
It lives in you
It lives in me
(Ngoxolo)
We're free

Afia:
Milele

Ensemble:
Milele

Trivia

General

• "Milele" means "always, constantly" or "eternity, infinity" in Swahili.
  • According to Afia, "Milele" means "forever."

• The word "milele" is used in "Rafiki Mourns", a song from the stage musical version of The Lion King, in which Rafiki mourns the deaths of Mufasa and Simba.

• "Milele" is director Barry Jenkins's favorite song from Mufasa: The Lion King.

In development

• In an early draft of Mufasa: The Lion King, Kiros sang a reprise of "Milele".

Media

Anika Noni Rose - Milele (Live from the Walt Disney World Resort)

Anika Noni Rose performs "Milele" as part of The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular

Anika Noni Rose, Keith David - Milele (From "Mufasa- The Lion King") (Official Video)

The "Milele" sequence in Mufasa: The Lion King