• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Translated Lyrics To Lion King's Circle Of Life Will Ruin The Movie For You

Home> News

Updated 15:09 25 Apr 2022 GMT+1Published 15:07 25 Apr 2022 GMT+1

Translated Lyrics To Lion King's Circle Of Life Will Ruin The Movie For You

One of the greatest Disney songs of all time might not be what you think it is

Anish Vij

Anish Vij

The lyrics to one of the greatest Disney songs in history aren't quite as deep as what you initially thought, and I apologise in advance.

The beloved The Lion King is now 28 years old, and one of the most legendary songs in animated history apparently translates to 'lazily written' lyrics.

Performed by Lebo M, 'The Circle of Life' remains such an iconic song, setting the tone for the African-influenced soundtrack.

Disney

Advert

While much of the song is sang in English, the chorus opens with lines of Zulu.

The infamous lyrics are as follows: "Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba Sithi uhm ingonyama.

‘Nants ingonyama bagithi baba Sithi uhhmm ingonyama Ingonyama Siyo Nqoba Ingonyama Ingonyama nengw’ enamabala."

Which translates to a seemingly underwhelming: "Here comes a lion, father, Oh yes it’s a lion.

"Here comes a lion, father, Oh yes it’s a lion.

Advert

"A lion we’re going to conquer, a lion, a lion and a leopard come to this open place."

Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen, who play Timon and Pumbaa in the remake, referred to the lyrics as 'lazily written' in a recent interview on Capital FM, adding that they ‘weren’t hugely creative’. Yikes.

Disney

Regardless of your take on the translated lyrics, there's no doubting the icon status of the Disney flick. In fact, the 1994 film has grossed over $1 billion (£770k) worldwide since it hit the big screen nearly three decades ago.

The man who provided the singing voice for The Lion King's Young Simba even turned down a $2 million (£1.45m) fee in favour of a much more lucrative deal based on the film's royalties.

Advert

Jason Weaver told Vlad TV he rejected fee because his mum advised him to turn it down and opt for royalties instead, and it's fair to say Weaver didn't regret his decision.

YouTube/Vlad TV

Weaver said: "Disney had a reputation for re-releasing stuff. I think at that time they had put out Sleeping Beauty and some of their old catalogue from when Walt Disney was alive.

"They were releasing that stuff when they were releasing the new Disney stuff, so she [his mum] was able to see the playing field and go, 'Wait a minute, this is going to make a lot of money over time, so what happens when my son turns 40? Is he going to be able to get a cheque for this when they eventually re-release this.'"

Disney

Advert

Weaver's mum renegotiated the deal so her son would receive a $100,000 (£70,000) flat fee, but would receive a share of the royalties.

This proved to be a smart move for Weaver, who revealed he has more than made up for turning down the initial offer in the payments he's received over the years.

Smart woman.

Weaver didn't reveal exactly how much he made but I suspect he ain't short of a few quid.

Featured Image Credit: Disney

Topics: Disney

Anish Vij
Anish Vij

Anish is a Journalist at LADbible Group and is a GG2 Young Journalist of the Year 2025. He has a Master's degree in Multimedia Journalism and a Bachelor's degree in International Business Management. Apart from that, his life revolves around the ‘Four F’s’ - family, friends, football and food. Email: [email protected]

X

@Anish_Vij

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

12 mins ago
18 mins ago
an hour ago
  • 12 mins ago

    Company releases statement after CEO was 'caught with another woman' at Coldplay concert in viral video

    Astronomer has shared a statement following the viral video

    News
  • 18 mins ago

    UK scientists have successfully created the world's first 'black hole bomb'

    Scientists have constructed a device that could, in theory, match the power of a black hole

    News
  • an hour ago

    Donald Trump’s chronic condition explained after swelling was discovered on his legs

    People had noticed bruises on Trump's hands as well as swollen ankles

    News
  • an hour ago

    Woman who filmed 'Coldplay couple' reveals what happened after she stopped filming

    Grace Springer, who filmed the viral moment, has revealed what happened next

    News
  • 'Lion whisperer' left fighting for his life after vicious attack by lion he previously fought to save
  • All the hidden perks you get for being in Disney’s secret ‘Club 33’ as couple are banned for life
  • Brand new Disney+ hack allows you to watch the best shows without a subscription
  • These 7 health supplements will revitalise the way you think about life