The Tokens - The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Wimoweh) Lyrics

"The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is a song originally written and first recorded in 1939 by Solomon Linda under the title "Mbube", through South African Gallo Record Company. Lyrics of Linda's original version were written in Zulu, while those of the English one were later written by George David Weiss.

In Zulu, "Mbube” (EEM-boo-beh) means "lion.” During his childhood, Linda had worked as a herder protecting cattle in the African hinterlands. The main predator was the lion. The spartan lyrics of his song center on the phrase "mbube zimbe,” or "lion stop.” When Linda and his group, the Original Evening Birds, cut a 78-rpm recording of the song in 1939, it became the first African record to sell over 100,000 copies.

The song has been adapted and covered internationally by many pop and folk artists. It was recorded as "Wimoweh" by the Weavers in November 1951, and published by "Folkways Music Publishers", a branch of the then-Folkways Records, in December of the same year.

Artists who have recorded various versions of the song include also R.E.M., NSYNC, Henri Salvador, Karl Denver, Jimmy Dorsey, Yma Sumac, Noro Morales, Roy Zimmerman, Miriam Makeba, and The Kingston Trio.

In 1961, a version adapted into English with the title "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by the doo-wop group the Tokens became a number-one hit in the United States.

It earned millions in royalties from cover versions and film licensing. The pop group Tight Fit made a cover of the song in 1982, reaching number one hit in the UK. This song is in the key of F major.