Song Lyric Sunday – Spirit – Lion

Lion, Tiger, Bear, Eagle and Shark are the prompts for this week’s Song Lyric Sunday, hosted by our friend Jim Adams.

Plenty of material to choose from once you start looking. The Lion King is a favorite musical of mine and this beautiful song, ‘Spirit” by Beyonce is perfect for the prompt. It refers to our path in life and need for strength while facing the unknown as in Simba’s journey after the death of his father, Mufasa I hope you enjoy it along with the beautifully produced video.

The Song

Beyoncé recorded this inspirational song for the soundtrack of the live-action remake of The Lion King and the companion album The Lion King: The Gift. It plays in the film during a pivotal scene with Nala, Simba’s childhood best friend and future love interest. Beyoncé also stars in the movie as the voice of the powerful Nala.

The Lion King tells the story of Simba, a young lion who struggles to succeed his father as King of the Pride Lands. The song starts off with a chant in Swahili, which translates as “long live the king.” The phrase acts as encouragement for the lion and his spirit to prevail.

Beyoncé co-wrote and co-produced this song of strength with:

Swedish-Persian songwriter IIya Salmanzadeh, who has co-penned several of Ariana Grande’s hits, including “Problem,” “No Tears Left to Cry,” “God Is A Woman” and “Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored .”

English dance/hip-hop singer and producer Labrinth. Best known for his own hit single “Beneath Your Beautiful,” Labrinth has also contributed to tunes by Noah Cyrus (“Make Me (Cry)”), The Weeknd (“Losers”) and Nicki Minaj (“Majesty”).

Beyoncé produced and curated The Lion King: The Gift companion album. She said that the songs were inspired by the remake’s storyline, which “gives the listener a chance to imagine their own imagery, while listening to a new contemporary interpretation.”

The song’s music video features shots of Beyoncé rocking some colorful gowns against picturesque landscapes (parts of the visual were shot at Havasu Falls in Arizona). Those scenes are interspersed with clips from The Lion King. Her daughter, Blue Ivy, also makes a brief appearance when she joins her mom among a troupe of dancers.

Beyoncé told ABC News’ Robin Roberts the concept of the video is “to show how God is the painter and natural beauty in nature needs no art direction.”

“It’s the beauty of color, the beauty of melanin, the beauty of tradition,” she added.

The Lyrics

Uishi kwa muda mrefu mfalme
(Uishi kwa, uishi kwa)
Uishi kwa muda mrefu mfalme
(Uishi kwa, uishi kwa)

Yeah, yeah, and the wind is talkin'
Yeah, yeah, for the very first time
With a melody that pulls you towards it
Paintin' pictures of paradise

Sayin' rise up to the light in the sky, yeah
Watch the light lift your heart up
Burn your flame through the night

Whoa, spirit
Watch the heavens open (open), yeah
Spirit, can you hear it callin'? (Callin')
Yeah

Yeah, yeah, and the water's crashin'
Trying to keep your head up high
While you're tremblin', that's when the magic happens
And the stars (stars) gather by (gather by)
By your side

Sayin' rise up to the light in the sky, yeah
Let the light lift your heart up
Burn your flame through the night

Yeah, spirit
Watch the heavens open (open), yeah
Spirit, can you hear it callin'? (Callin')
Yeah (yeah)

Your destiny is comin' close
Stand up and fight
So go into that far off land
And be one with the great I am, I am
Boy becomes a man

Whoa, spirit
Watch the heavens open (open), yeah
Spirit, can you hear it callin'? (Callin'?) Yeah
Spirit, yeah, watch the heavens open, open, yeah
Spirit, spirit, can you hear it callin'? (Callin')
Yeah (yeah)

Your destiny is comin' close
Stand up and fight
So go into a far off land
And be one with the great I am

Writer/s: Beyonce Gisselle Knowles, Ilya Salmanzadeh, Timothy Lee Mckenzie 
Publisher: Walt Disney Music Company
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Courtesy of Songfacts