Dela

Johnny Clegg

One day I looked up and there you were
Like a simple question looking for an answer
Now I am the whale listening to some inner call
Swimming blindly to throw myself upon your shore
What if I don't find you when I have landed?
Would you leave me here to die on your shore stranded?

I think I know why the dog howls at the moon
I think I know why the dog howls at the moon
I say dela, dela
Ngyanya
Dela
When I'm with you
Dela, dela
Ngyanya
Dela
I burn for you

I've been waiting for you all my life, hoping for a miracle
I've been waiting day and night, day and night
I've been waiting for you all my life, waiting for redemption
I've been waiting day and night, I burn for you

A blind bird sings inside the cage that is my heart
The image of your face comes to me when I'm alone in the dark
If I could give a shape to this ache that I have for you
If I could find the voice that says the words that capture you

I think I know, I think I know
I think I know, I think I know
I think I know why the dog howls at the moon
I think I know why the dog howls at the moon
I say dela, dela
Ngyanya
Dela
When I'm with you
Dela, dela
Ngyanya
Dela
I burn for you

I've been waiting for you all my life, waiting for a miracle
I've been waiting day and night, day and night
I've been waiting for you all my life, hoping for redemption
I've been waiting day and night, I burn for you

I say dela, dela
Ngyanya
Dela
When I'm with you

I've been waiting for you all my life, hoping for a miracle
I've been waiting day and night, day and night
I've been waiting for you all my life, waiting for redemption
I've been waiting day and night, I burn for you

I burn for you, I burn for you
I burn for you, I burn for you
Oh, I burn for you, I burn for you
Oh, you know, I burn for you, I burn for you
I burn for you, I burn for you
I burn for you, I burn for you

I say dela, dela
Ngyanya
Dela
I burn for you


Lyrics submitted by bono_212

Dela Lyrics as written by Jonathan Paul Clegg

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT (FRANCE), RHYTHM SAFARI PTY LTD, Downtown Music Publishing

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Dela song meanings
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13 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment
    Actually, I just found out on YouTube that dela more specifically means "total recognition of my heart's home" in Zulu.
    Angamon July 06, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    this song is just amazing... i'm going to add some lyrics so all can read about this great author/singer/musician
    Antsmarchingon July 24, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    This song is amazing..... and in the words of a good friend of mine... when you listen to it... it gives you a good feeling like you\'re in love.
    monkeybearon May 08, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    was this on george of the jungle
    lil_poppy_s2on December 29, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    amazing song, awesome lyrics and it just makes you want to dance with joy (you cannot be unhappy after listening to it..I tried..impossible). It's so infectious too. It doesn't use the usual cliched lyrics to express itself. I think it's about love and how it leaves you feeling content. I always imagine this is the way true love feels.
    baby_blackon May 07, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    This is the most beautiful song I know! I mean, of course there're a lot of songs where the singer has got a most wonderful voice, and maybe also with some fine lyrics. But this one song makes me more happy than anything else! Seriously, I always feel like dancing some crazy, self-made-up dance. It's just so amazing. I love it so much, that I can't describe it! =D It's just so amazing (yay, and I'm just sitting here, repeating myself) And yes, I'm almost 100% sure that this song is like the way true love feels.
    Taniiaon August 24, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    what does dela mean?
    fabulicious-frankieon September 27, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    You guys are way to happy.......i wish i was.
    SoPhillyEh?on September 30, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Another website I found gave the meaning as follows: Dela, dela ngyanya dela = Content, content I am content Dela, sondela mama, sondela = Closer, closer, come closer mama I think it might be slightly off, but it's probably more or less the gist of it.
    Angamon July 06, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    the most beautiful song, ever! and yall right! it is infectious. it is simply not possible to be in a horrible mood whilst listening to this wonderful song. and yes! dancing! i first heard this song when i was four years old, from GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE!!!! and now, at 16, i've decided THIS is the song they'll play at my wedding. and we'll dance some crazy made up dance, like george of the jungle and ursula <33 absolute love.
    egduf8on December 29, 2009   Link

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