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BigLovableChunkOfWarthogHere
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This article is about the Lebo M version.
You may be looking for the stage musical version, the 2019 version, or the Festival of The Lion King version.


The Lion Sleeps Tonight
Rhythm-of-the-pride-lands
Attribution information
Composer

Solomon Linda

Lyricist

Solomon Linda
Hugo Peretti
Luigi Creatore
George David Weiss
Albert Stanton

Performers

Lebo M

Release information
Length

2:37

Albums
Appearances

   The Lion King
   The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa
   The Lion King 1½

Samples
Versions

Anonymous Audio File Icon Clip ArtThe Lion Sleeps Tonight 

"The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is a song originally written by Solomon Linda as "Mbube" that was sung by Lebo M with his South African choir. The song was first used in The Lion King franchise by Timon and Pumbaa, who sung the song in the original film. Lebo M recorded the song for the Rhythm of the Pride Lands CD, which was later heard in The Lion King 1½.‎ The song was also used in The Lion King stage musical productions and a music video featured as part of the 3rd episode of The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa, where Timon and Pumbaa (and Rafiki) sing the song while they are unaware that they're being stalked by a real lion, which turns out to be Simba. The music video was produced by Ashley Quinn and directed by Darrell Van Citters and the song was arranged and produced by Randy Petersen. It premiered on September 16, 1995, alongside "Brazil Nuts" and "South Sea Sick".

Disney's use of this song in the film and musical stage productions of The Lion King prompted a lawsuit on behalf of the descendants of Solomon Linda. In July 2004, the court ruled that Disney owed $1.6 million in royalties for the use of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" to Linda's descendants.

The Tokens were famous for this song in the 1960's.

Lyrics[]

Lebo M:
Lala kahle Sleep well

In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight

Imbube
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

Imbube
Imbube
Ingonyama ifile
Ingonyama ilele
Thula

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.

Imbube
Imbube
Ingonyama ifile
Ingonyama ilele
Thula

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

Imbube
Imbube

My little darling
Don't fear, my little darling
My little darling
Don't fear, my little darling

Ingonyama ilele The lion sleeps

Media[]


Rhythm of the Pride Lands
He Lives In You    Hakuna Matata    The Lion Sleeps Tonight    Kube    Lea Halalela    It's Time    One By One    Warthog Rhapsody    Lala    Busa    Noyana
The Lion King Collection
He Lives in You    Circle of Life    Lea Halalela    Upendi    Busa    One of Us    Love Will Find a Way    Can You Feel the Love Tonight    We Are One    One By One    It's Time    Noyana    In Youpendi    Be Prepared    He Lives In You    My Lullaby    Hakuna Matata    I Just Can't Wait to Be King    The Lion Sleeps Tonight
The Lion King Collection (Deluxe Edition)
He Lives in You    Circle of Life    Lea Halalela    Upendi    Busa    One of Us    Love Will Find a Way    Can You Feel the Love Tonight    We Are One    One By One    It's Time    Noyana    In Youpendi    Be Prepared    He Lives In You    My Lullaby    Hakuna Matata    I Just Can't Wait to Be King    The Lion Sleeps Tonight    Circle of Life    Grazing in the Grass    Can You Feel the Love Tonight    Warthog Rhapsody    Kube    This Land    Digga Tunnah Dance    The Morning Report    Love Will Find a Way (End Title)    The Lion Sleeps Tonight    Be Prepared    They Live In You
Return to Pride Rock
He Lives In You    We Are One    Upendi    One of Us    My Lullaby    Love Will Find a Way    We Are One    She Believes in You    Song for the Children    I Want to See the Moon    The Lion Sleeps Tonight    Love Will Find a Way (End Title)
The Lion King 1½: Songs From Timon and Pumbaa's Hilarious Adventure
Grazing in the Grass    Digga Tunnah Dance    That's All I Need    Hakuna Matata    The Lion Sleeps Tonight    Jungle Boogie    Timon's Traveling Theme    The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Best of The Lion King
Circle of Life    I Just Can't Wait to Be King    Can You Feel the Love Tonight    Warthog Rhapsody    Lea Halalela    Hakuna Matata    Digga Tunnah Dance    Upendi    One of Us    The Lion Sleeps Tonight    Be Prepared    They Live In You
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