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https://songmeaning.ai/songs/Johnny-clegg-dela
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The song 'Dela' by Johnny Clegg with Savuka is a poignant love ballad that utilizes vivid metaphors and natural imagery to articulate a deep, longing desire for a beloved. The song's central theme revolves around the profound yearning for union and connection with a loved one, echoing through the recurring motifs of soulful waiting and the innate nature to seek companionship, poetically juxtaposed with the behavior of a howling dog seeking the moon.
Johnny Clegg's 'Dela' commences its emotional voyage with a line that feels almost like a serendipitous discovery of love, comparing that initial encounter to a simple question in search of an answer. From here, the listener is swept into the depths of longing, depicted through the journey of a whale - a creature emblematic of both grandeur and solitude - as it's drawn instinctively toward the shores that represent the beloved. The worry of finding nothing upon arrival, hence remaining stranded, adds an element of vulnerability and peril to this love-stricken odyssey.
In the chorus, Clegg correlates his own emotional state to that of a dog howling at the moon - a classic image of yearning. The repeated Zulu phrase 'Dela' which means 'content' or 'having enough', against the backdrop of such deep longing, gives rise to a tension between satisfaction and want. Despite the understanding and insight into why the dog howls, the act itself - and thus his own pining - remains raw and unfulfilled. This haunting chant, combined with references to burning with desire, layers the song with fervency.
As Clegg conveys his continuous anticipation, the notion of waiting 'all my life' suggests a destiny-bound love, something anticipated and fated. This longing transcends mere physical desire; it's a soul's call for its counterpart, its redemption. The persistent day-and-night vigil embodies a relentless emotional quest, each verse building upon this pious dedication, reminiscent of an eternal flame refusing to be extinguished.
The emotional journey climaxes as the artist reveals the quiet torment of unexpressed love - a 'blind bird' within his heart, symbolizing the suppressed songs of his affection. This bird, his feelings for his beloved, can only sing to him when he's shrouded in the darkness of solitude. Here, Clegg touches upon the universal struggle to articulate the depths of one's love, grappling with the ineffable nature of true affection. As the song fades, 'I burn for you' repeats like a mantra, reinforcing the persistent, smoldering passion that has permeated throughout this musical saga.
"I think I know why the dog howls at the moon"
The line serves as a metaphor for the artist's grasp of his own longing - a natural, instinctive reaction to yearning for someone, similar to the mysterious and timeless image of a dog howling at the moon.
"I sing dela, dela / Ngyanya / Dela / When I'm with you"
'Dela' in Zulu conveys feelings of contentment and satisfaction, while 'ngyanya' is a term of endearment; together, they express a profound sense of joy and completion when the artist is with his beloved.
"A blind bird sings inside the cage that is my heart"
This poetic imagery alludes to Clegg's internalized and unvoiced love, highlighting the paradox of feeling so much while struggling to clearly communicate those emotions.
"The image of your face comes to me when I am alone in the dark"
This line illustrates the bittersweet solace that memory provides; even in the depths of solitude, the beloved's image brings comfort, reinforcing the theme of lasting, albeit distant, love.
