Waka Waka (This Time For Africa) – Shakira (Colombian global popstar) and Freshly Ground (African fusion band from the World Cup 2010 host country, South Africa, with a new album Radio Africa out last month). The song revamps a traditional Congolese song (English lyrics after the jump below)
The World Cup is the globe’s greatest sporting event, exceeding even the Olympics every quadrennial. Rarely are the theme songs for such events very memorable, for by trying to cater to all tastes in a song, they cater to none. The Barcelona Olympics has one of the few enduring performances, in what was really an unofficial theme song song by Montserrat Caballe and Freddie Mercury. It was never sung at the Olympics because Mercury died before it began.
Shakira sung Waka Waka at the World Cup opening ceremony and on July 11 will again sing during the Finals match. This is an official English-language video of the song:
You can even upload your own video of the dance, via the Shakira You Tube channel to raise money for global childhood education.
“You’re a good soldier
Choosing your battles
Pick yourself up
And dust yourself off
Get back in the saddle
You’re on the front line
Everyone’s watching
You know it’s serious
We are getting closer
This isn’t over
The pressure is on
You feel it
But you got it all
Believe it
When you fall get up
If you fall get up
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Cuz this is Africa
Tsamina mina
Waka waka, e
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Listen to your God
This is our motto
Your time to shine
Don’t wait in line
Y vamos por todo
People are raising
Their expectations
Go on and feed them
This is your moment
No hesitations
Today’s your day
I feel it
You paved the way
Believe it
If you get down get up, oh oh
When you get down get up, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa a a
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Awela Majoni Biggie Biggie Mama One A To Zet
Athi sithi LaMajoni Biggie Biggie Mama From East To West
Bathi . . . Waka Waka Ma Eh Eh Waka Waka Ma Eh Eh
Zonke zizwe mazi buye
Because this is Africa
Tsamina mina, Anawa a a
Tsamina mina
Tsamina mina, Anawa a a
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa a a
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Django eh eh
Django eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa a a
Django eh eh
Django eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa a a
This time for Africa
This time for Africa
We’re all Africa
We’re all Africa”