In a nutshell, this was the song I wrote in celebration of getting married. It’s a wedding song. Why is most of it in isiZulu? There was simply no way around it. The first words that came out were "Dali Wam'… oh Dali Wami", which now feature as the intro hook of the song. While attempting to rework it in English I realised it was a failing attempt. Songs sometimes show you where they want to go. I then submitted to that and recruited master isiZulu lyricist Njabulo Seh. He took the message I had conveyed to him in English and shortly after that the song was ready. Wanda Baloyi gladly added her own vocal magic.
lyrics
Dali Wami, Oh Dali Wami
Dali Wami, Oh Dali Wami
Whenever rainbows form, after rain has fallen
The sun shines through, it was just like you
You lit up the dark, reignited the spark
A work of art, just the way you are
And when I tried to hide the feelings
I couldn't stop myself from believing
You were right for me , you're all I need
Oceans apart
Couldn't stop our hearts from beating as one
Ngicel(a) usondele sondele S'thandane
(pls come closer, come closer, let's be together/love each other)
(I) don't wanna waste any more time, no
Ngicel(a) usondele sondele S'thandane
(pls come closer, come closer, let's be together/love each other)
I want you to forever be mine.
Dali wami, dali wami
Konk(e) okuhle kuvela kuwe (All things good come from you)
Angiy'lutho phandle kwako (I'm nothing without you)
Dali wami, dali wami
Thando lwami lonk(e) olwakho (All the love I have is yours)
Ngiyaz' nikela ngungowakho (I surrender Im yours)
Dali Wami, Oh Dali Wami
Ngingowakho, Oh Dali Wami
Noma bengathini ng'hamba nawe
(No matter what they say I choose you)
Ngibazamile bontle abanye
(I've tried everything/body else)
Noma umdeni Wami ung'phikisa
(Even if my family is against me)
Thine sofa s'lahlane ooh
(It'll be you and I till death do us part)
Noma nkanzima
(No matter how hard it gets)
Uthando lwetho ngeke
(Our love will never fade)
Luphelele emoyeni
Wathi angikulinde uphesheya
(You said to wait for you while you were abroad)
Umoya Wami wavuma
(My spirit said yes)
Ngicelu...
Ngicel(a) usondele sondele S'thandane
(pls come closer, come closer, let's be together/love each other)
I dont wanna do this without you.
Ngicel(a) usondele sondele S'thandane
(pls come closer, come closer, let's be together/love each other)
I just cant take it no way, no way.
Dali wami, dali wami
Konk(e) okuhle kuvela kuwe (All things good come from you)
Angiy'lutho phandle kwako (I'm nothing without you)
Dali wami, dali wami
Thando lwami lonk(e) olwakho (All the love I have is yours)
Ngiyaz' nikela ngungowakho (I surrender Im yours)
Dali Wami, Oh Dali Wami
Ngingowakho, Oh Dali Wami
credits
from The 5th Story,
released July 24, 2017
Produced by R.J. Benjamin
Written by R.J. Benjamin, Njabulo Seh, C.S. Abrahams and Wanda Baloyi
Published by Roy Ben Music, One Up Productions, Funked Records and Global Music Publishing
Rhodes & Organ – Chad Alexander
Bass Guitar – Sakhile Nkosi
Additional Backing Vocals – Spha Mdlalose and Njabulo Seh
Drum, String and Guitar Programming – R.J. Benjamin
This two-song project from the Maryland-born and UK-based soul singer features vintage, 1970s soul-influenced songs. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 21, 2022
