Johnny Clegg

Dela

13 Meanings

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Dela Lyrics

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?
Will 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 sing dela, dela ngyanya dela when I'm with you,
dela, sondela mama sondela, 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 wating 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 am 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 to capture you.

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 sing dela, dela ngyanya dela when I'm with you,
dela, sondela mama sondela, I burn for you.

Sondela, sondela, mama sondela, I burn for you.

Burn for you, I burn for you...

Submitted by

bono_212 On Jun 23, 2005

Asimbonanga

Rolling Ocean

The Waiting

Scatterlings of Africa

I Call Your Name

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?
Will 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 sing dela, dela ngyanya dela when I'm with you,
dela, sondela mama sondela,  I burn for you.

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 sing dela, dela ngyanya dela when I'm with you,
dela, sondela mama sondela,  I burn for you.

Sondela, sondela, mama sondela, I burn for you.

Burn for you, I burn for you...

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Let the lyrics be lyrics

This isn’t the place for interpretations, memories, stories, or trivia — that’s what comments are for. Keep metadata, translations, and bracketed stage directions out unless they’re officially part of the song.

Edit lightly

If two lines are wrong… fix the two lines. No need to bulldoze the whole page. Think ‘surgical,’ not ‘remix.’

When in doubt, ask the crowd

Not sure what they’re singing in that fuzzy bridge? Drop a question in the comments and let the music nerds swarm. Someone always knows.

bono_212

Submitter

2005-06-23 08:52:49

13 Meanings

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by Angam

17y ago

Actually, I just found out on YouTube that dela more specifically means "total recognition of my heart's home" in Zulu.

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by Antsmarching

21y ago

this song is just amazing... i'm going to add some lyrics so all can read about this great author/singer/musician

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by monkeybear

20y ago

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.

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by lil_poppy_s2

19y ago

was this on george of the jungle

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by baby_black

19y ago

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.

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by Taniia

19y ago

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.

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by fabulicious-frankie

17y ago

what does dela mean?

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by SoPhillyEh?

17y ago

You guys are way to happy.......i wish i was.

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by Angam

17y ago

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.

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by egduf8

16y ago

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.

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