Pete Seeger - Wimoweh

[The1mulc1]

Nice didn t know he was communist. But it is nothing wrong with it meny people think or amagine wrong what true communist means it means pure hart an respect of other people it also means no racism no nacionalism it says all people are equal and most important this means people should be reworded with respect and not money and that is a big think cus we know what monney does to ppl and for a men who started comm. idea good bless ya !

[TooUglyForTheOrgy]

Mark Steyn writes on National Review Online: Not to mention he ripped off Solomon Linda, the black South African author of “Wimoweh”, who died penniless. Because, unlike poor Mr Linda, Mr Seeger was shrewd enough to have a – what’s the word? – “corporation” to protect his business interests.

[duckbiter]

Great irony and hypocrisy in these political arguments.

Americans criticizing communists and fascists even as their own country is turning into a police state before their eyes.

[buidseach]

i suppose at the time they thought the communist party was about supporting the down trodden working class people where as in reality in russia it was an evil dictatorship.

[stanibol]

Funny how some people want to dwell on politics in an attempt to diminish a singer who only wants for us, the audience, to be happy and sing Wimoweh Wimoweh Wimoweh

[HoboGus]

Pete Seeger is a Folk Legend and has given us Great Music. Who gives a shit what he thinks or believes in, this is America and he has the freedom to think and say what ever he wants to. If he's to be judged it won't be by the narrow minded, judgemental mental midgets posting comments here.

[Darkmekmon]

I am shocked to see the comments with arguments about communism and capitalism. Shame on you! If you listen to Pete Seeger's music, why do you have so much hate for others who are different?

[musicalrich1]

The comments about Pete Seeger are quite right!

Others are good, but he is absolutely a legend!

[adoubleabattery]

Aww I love this recording! my parents were in the movement with him and this was one of the recordings I used to listen to when I was little on our record player :) Thanks for this!

Listen to Pete yoddle ahaha LOVE

[hfkdvh]

the idea of communisam is good, bad all the people that bin leaders in communistic lands were bad

capitalisam is bad wenn it has no social sense

a combination might bie good

[rhniraq]

Such a perversion of Solomon Linda's song ....

[Hoosierhorsesense]

Communism killed over 100 million people in the last century. That is a fact.

Communists and their "useful idiots" as Lenin called their western sympathizers always use the excuse that Mao, Stalin, Pol Pot, etc. "got communism wrong" and want to give it another try.

The definition of insanity; trying the same thing over and over expecting a different result.

Pete Seeger was a tool.

[crackfarm76]

@Hoosierhorsesense yeah, it's not like capitalism's ever been responsible for killing anyone! i mean, there's definitely nobody dying for the sake of oil money in the world, and there are definitely no capitalist states creating puppet governments and taking advantage of poor people and countries all over the world! i mean, the corporations running the world have human interests in mind, right? why wouldn't they?

[london2z]

@crackfarm76 You're right with your sarcasm. We live in the most evil, corrupt country in the world. It's all about greed. If people really cared about each other, we would switch to Socialism, (not Communism). When 50% of the country's wealth belongs to 1% of the population, and they have all kinds of loophoples to get out of paying their fair share of taxes, then something is really wrong. And polluting other countries while employing their poor as slave labor. And people wonder why 9/11?

[crackfarm76]

@london2z right on...i'd like to think that eventually the people in the u.s.will start holding mass strikes like they tend to do in europe--but it seems that the beauty of the system is that people are brainwashed by the media to think that everything's fine and that materialism is the most important value (manufactured consent)!

[Xials]

@keldordantrell you are a very ignorant person. There are very good principles in communism, and you have a retards view of capitalism. I have all the faith in humanity, what I don't have faith in, is a people to do right by compulsion. In order for each individual in a society to choose to benifit others, they need to have the right to choose it or not. You should get your head out of the sand and take a look at what nation is the most charitable. Its the united states. Capitalists.

[christlilhelper]

I learned about him in my history class and I am truely stunned about the power that music has over the country. (:

[jonohx]

As a communist who professed a belief in redistribution of wealth, Seeger made sure that none of his royalties ever reached Solomon Linda, the composer of the song, who died in poverty.  Seeger collected millions. Some folk hero.

[jonohx]

@MrDogfeathers (aka Moron). That's why Linda died in abject poverty is it? Commie twat.

[singwolf]

@jonohx Your understanding of Pete Seger's role in all of this is wrong. You have to keep in mind that at the time artists were artists and management were management. When he heard and recorded the song, he was under the impression that the song was a trad song. And the mgmt was happy to let him believe that. When he found out otherwise, he actually sent a cheque for $1K to Linda (huge amount in the 50's) and donated his portion of the royalties to Linda. The publisher never kept to his word.

[gotch09]

If you don't understand Pete then you don't understand folk.

[sandarco]

The original recording was made by Solomon Linda a southafrican musician, in 1939 (its named mbube that means lion in zulu and what you listen in the chorus is uyimbube, that means "he is the lion" in zulu) Then Pete Seeger listened and recorded it in the states in 1950 (wimoweh for the chorus). Then the tokens in 1960 made a recording based in this and named the lion sleeps tonight (the most famous version) Only in the 90s Solomon Linda was finally recognized as the original autor (in a trial)

[zaaritha]

Great version!

[migasaguiar]

why the hell do peoplealways have to argue politicis in every video that involves pete seeger? enjoy the music ppeople...

peace

[LoneMaquis]

@migasaguiar: Because the rich and powerful are afraid that the poor of the world will follow Seeger's ideals, rise up and take what's rightly theirs from their exploiters.

[LetArtsLive]

sounds exactly like the song lion sleeps tonight who did it firsT??

[Runescape28]

@LetArtsLive It originated in Africa, and then Disney bought the rights for it, manipulating the people.

[sandarco]

@LetArtsLiveThe original recording was made by Solomon Linda a southafrican musician, in 1939 (its called mbube that means lion in zulu and what you listen in the corus is uyimbube, that means he is the lion in zulu. Then pete seeger listen recorded it in the states in 1950 (wimoweh). Then the tokens in 1960 made a recording based in this and named the lion sleeps tonight (the most famous version) Only in the 90s Solomon Linda was finally recognized as the original autor (in a trial)

[thallassocracy]

Fascinating to see that people think Tshaka means 'Lion'. It means 'Bug'.

Tshaka was a great general, and a great king. He didn't need Disneyfication.

[unijade]

What a beautiful voice!

[MarxBakuninMe]

I think it's a bit narrow minded to judge him based the fact that he was a member of a ("official") Communist Party. A lot of good people were members of the Communist Party, and, like Seeger, later acknowledged that the USSR was the opposite of what it was meant to be. And I wonder how many on the right would ever have the intellectual honesty admit that Iraq or Vietnam were mistakes.

[Ascaidh]

MarxBakuninMe,

Some of us think beyond party lines. In fact we don't think of them at all. The point is that Mr. Seeger sang good music. After all that is what counts no?

ascaidh

[senoramariposa]

@MarxBakuninMe THANK YOU so much for your post. It was refreshing to read.

[juslookin3]

@MarxBakuninMe Pete Seeger is a national treasure.

[indah007]

@MarxBakuninMe and the USA my not be all be that it should - at the end of the day he was a great musician..... end of story.

[Xials]

@MarxBakuninMe Communism is an ideology that ALWAYS FAILS. This is why the USSR FAILED, and Communist China is oppressive and most people live in poverty, until recently when they have instituted more capitalistic ideals. COMMUNISM would only work if EVERYONE works for it. Which means that EVERYONE cares for each other. WHICH WILL NEVER HAPPEN WHEN IT IS ENTERED INTO BY GOVERNMENT FORCE. IT ONLY WORKS WHEN A WILLING PEOPLE GIVE OUT OF THE GOODNESS OF THEIR OWN CONSCIENCE.

[KeldorDAntrell]

@Xials, You have little faith in humanity to say that communism with *always* fail. You also have no ability to predict the future.

Communism may have failed SO FAR but this does NOT mean it will always fail. Indeed, communism has never been properly put into effect. The evil leaders of failed communist regimes of history never actually practiced communism. They were greedy, self-serving, *dictators* more akin to those of the political *right* (capitalists).

[royalcourtier]

@MarxBakuninMe Communists are more lacking in intellectual honesty than those on either the left or right of the democratic political spectrum!

[karpov89]

@MarxBakuninMe I think that nazi or communist does not matter; a person has the right to believe in whatever he think is right. Seeger should only be judged according to his musical achievements.

[NickGikk]

@MarxBakuninMe The only mistake in Viet Nam was a cowardly administration that made our troops fight with one hand tied behind their back. We had every weapon we needed to kick the crap out of the North Viets but we didn't and we failed our ally to satisfy the bearded creeps back home.

[eleatic]

@NickGikk Shame to have a statement of such unspeakable ignorance as the last word, even if it proves MarxBakuninMe's point perfectly. 58,220 American soldiers died (fighting for what, again?). Vietnamese deaths are put anywhere between 1 and 3 MILLION. And you think we DIDN'T kick the crap out of the NVA and Viet Cong? You wanted 5, 10, 15 million My Lai's and Trang Bang's? Good God. "We needed to destroy it in order to save it." The sick logic of an American conservative.

[Mycroftsbrother]

Good ol' Pete... he's always trying to get people singing. Anyone who has seen Pete in concert remembers the sing-alongs, I'm sure. I think Pete had it right, people need to sing and not just listen all the time. Regardless of your political leanings, you would have to give him credit for his passion and honesty. Pete always met life head-on and lived his life his way...with integrity. You don't have to agree with his politics to appreciate that.

God bless Mr. Seeger!

[dgalmn08]

All music is based on previous sounds. It built upon, revised, enhanced, alterd to fit ones culture... to say a particular song had its origins from a specific culture would be wrong. The Zulu defeated many tribes and incorporated many of the cultures into its own. Perhaps a melting pot... What! Did I just say that?

[pkramer123]

The fact is that the song was given to American artists by a South African recording label, including Seeger (who did pay a small sum for it). Solomon recorded the song with that studio in S. Africa but was denied the ability to earn royalties from the song because of his race - while George Weiss made a fortune off the song after adding a few words because he was white and thus NOT denied the right to earn royalties.

[Ascaidh]

@pkramer123 Sounds like McCoy. His self oiling invention was the best made. It benefited the steam engine and crew to the point that they would not except nothing but the real McCoy. Yet because of the color of his skin he didn't make much. Screwed up world no?

[ThomasAlmeida]

This is a stolen Zulu Song, from the Zulu African Empire. Tells a tale about Shaka, The Lion, The Last King of the Zulu people, who according to the tradition, didnt die, but only went to sleep when Africa was invaded by Europeans. He is to return someday, according to the tradition.

[ngiyaxolisa]

I'm not sure I'd say this song was "stolen" by Pete Seeter,ThomasAlmeida . Seeger personally sent $1000 to Linda in recognition of his having created it-- considerably more money than Linda ever received in royalties from it. And Seeger always gave proper credit. Also, Shaka was not the "Last King of the Zulu people"! The Zulu have a king right now, His Highness Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu and have never not had a king since Shaka.

[rolln2013]

he explains exactly the tale behind the song. so he did not steal it, he's just... singing it.

[getdownadam]

He says it came from South Africa... not that it is someone else's song. Still a bit sketchy, but either way, it's a good listen.

[sandarco]

@getdownadam The autor its Solomon Linda a southafrican musician

[urnungal]

Wasn't Shaka described as "The Great Elephant" rather than "The Lion"?

[guitarmaniax]

This is just Pete and his banjo, I don't hear any of the other Weavers

[jumpdance24]

SHITE !

Shite !

Shiiiiiiiite !

[gandalfpres]

You clearly don't know good music when you hear it.

[Paulph04]

You certainly don't.

[LukecTheFool]

shut up.

[marsbreakfast]

or.. you could say the losers always have the best music - Spanish Conquerors' songs, Dixie, Decembrists' Chorus, The Internationale. Yeah, buddy...

And for those who think there was too much talk about a red under every bed, just read the KGB files, released in 1992. That was the Soviet objective.

[FrenchmaninSC]

Come on seriously? Did you parents also convince you that there was no holocaust?

A red under every bed?

However, for every genuine, truly prodigal, internationally revered, American like Pete, there usually are ten ignorant, uneducated, paranoid delusional, small minded, isolationists morons like marsbreakfast.

What a balance!

[marsbreakfast]

I find you comment insulting, uneducated, inarticulate, and unhistorical. Just what I would expect from a pseudo intellectual socialist.  The Socialists lost and had to trick the moderates in order to come back into power here. The Soviets lost. The Spanish Conquistadors lost. The South lost.

These are historical facts. My loving their music is my opinion. But I separate the two.

[VintageGB]

Wow.

[Rakeatthegatesofhell]

The Socialists are the only political party that always championed equal rights for ALL. This is why they've tended to attract compassionate, intelligent people, including artists. After all, who, generally contributes more joy and inspiration to posterity? Bankers and real estate developers, or musicians, writers and artists?

[maregee]

One of the greats and a living legend.

[William111061]

Well in those days, anyone who believed in equal

rights for minorities, women, etc., was seen as suspect-- a pinko, a fellow traveler, or a communist.

[fersata]

This is the Greatness of Music: take an african song of the 30's of the last century, a some kind of south european falsetto, an american banjo and a great singer an you have an amazing song. Thanks God for the better present given to the humankind.

[Peterz0r]

I wan't him to sing not to TALK

[WildCityWoman]

All this talk about 'commies' . . . for Petey's sake (no pun intended), back in those days if you so much as found a new way to pick your toenails, you were suspected of being a commie.

It's hard to believe these narrow minded people were folks that were elected to run a country.

[OttieBlue]

I like to hear him talk almost as much as I like to hear him SING.

[mgsmith88]

its not 'wimoweh', its 'uyimbube'

[wiglaugh]

Well, the SONG is called "Wimoweh", but that's only because Seeger misunderstood what they were actually saying (uyimbube). Dunno if that's what you meant or not, so I'm only clarifying for the others here.

[cucyct]

Wait i take that back actually :/

lol

[cucyct]

i actually think this is better than the original.

although alot of people will disagree

[lernisto]

you must mean the popular version

[nelpaaas]

The original version is so much better than this.

They're like two different songs!

It's not 'Wimoweh' its 'Mbube'.

[Acimon]

Actually it's more:

uyimbube = you're a lion (english)

[RevelatorReplica]

"Mbube" Solomon Popoli Linda original recorded in 1939

[zaaritha]

Great version!

[rakshasa7]

Don't say *was*! The man is still alive. 89 a month ago.

[JMBQuincy]

On that PBS documentary he was chopping wood and digging holes. I'll bet he lives to 100

[ytcarol]

I just heard this on public radio in the car a couple weeks ago - celebrating some anniversary of his or the music. This man was at the heart of the folk song movement which supported the "common man" - the ordinary worker. It was because of his pro-labor ideas that he was labeled "commie" but he did a great service, as all folk singers have done, to the rights of the little man, the respect of the worker. He is my hero.

[flowerchildA]

I'm learning about this man, and I think I'm thankful there are people like him in this world, let's hope more will follow in his footsteps.

[ceb2633]

rick, I have the same book. Had the banjo, cut my left hand fingernails, practiced until my fingers bled, could play Mary had a little lamb, quit, kissed Pete's "How to play the 5 string banjo" and went back to painting. LOL

[rickjolley]

Pete Seeger wrote one of the best books on 5-string banjo, which I bought & studied. His quote

"7 years -- either learn the 5-string or brain surgery -- take your choice."

Kinda dampened my enthusiasm.

[12pounder]

A true American to whom we owe a great debt of gratitude. Not only his musical legacy, but for showing us that WE can institute change through participation. Can you believe he was jailed for singing This land is your land--- What a travesty

[SClubproduction]

Love Pete Seeger!!!  He is the best song leader ever!!!