Kwela Man by Johnny Clegg

Kwela Man

Long ago there was a sound in the night
A kwela man singing under the street light
With a cheap guitar he gave his sorrow a smile
And he sowed his songs in the alley ways mile upon mile

Ye hum ho la lo kwela man
Ye hum ho la lo kwela man
Ye hum ho la lo kwela man
You gave it your life

Living low with the pennywhistle-tea-chest-base-gang
I followed him home and he danced as he sang
But now he's gone
Not even the slightest traces
Of a kwela song
And the street is full of empty spaces

Ye hum ho la lo kwela man
Ye hum ho la lo kwela man
Ye hum ho la lo kwela man
You gave it your life

Nobody knows did he survive the winding road
Did he find a song that took him back to the heartland
Here I stand lost in a memory
Of a kwela man singing in the long gone twilight

When I followed you home kwela man
You filled my soul, kwela kwela
When you sang your song kwela man
You gave it your life
Ye hum ho la lo kwela man
Ye hum ho la lo kwela man
Ye hum ho la lo kwela man
You gave it your life

What does Kwela mean?

Kwela is a pennywhistle-based street music from southern Africa with jazzy underpinnings and a distinctive, skiffle-like beat. It evolved from the marabi sound and brought South African music to international prominence in the 1950s.

Poetry and music have been intertwined for thousands of years. In antiquity, poems were often sung: the first lyric poets in ancient Greece performed their work to the accompaniment of the lyre, and the oldest anthology of Chinese poetry, the Shijing, was a collection of songs.

Poem Analysis

STRUCTURE:

Type of Poem:

The poem resembles a ballad, as it tells an emotional story with a musical quality. It captures a narrative about the kwela man and reflects themes of memory and loss.

Meter:

The poem uses a variable meter, contributing to its song-like quality. The rhythm is often upbeat, particularly in the refrains, which contrasts with the reflective narrative lines.

Rhyme:

While there isn’t a strict rhyme scheme like in sonnets or villanelles, there is consistent end rhyme, particularly in the refrain. This adds to the musicality and reinforces the poem's emotional resonance.

Stanza:

The poem consists of six stanzas, with some repeating lines in the chorus, typical of ballads. The alternating narrative and refrain create a cyclical feeling, echoing the themes of memory and nostalgia.

IMAGERY:

Figures of Speech:

Imagery: Vivid images are present, such as "under the street light" and “pennywhistle-tea-chest-base-gang,” evoking a specific time and place.

Personification: The kwela man’s songs are described as being able to fill the soul, giving life to his music.

Repetition: The refrain serves as a powerful repetition, emphasising the emotional connection to the kwela man.

Diction:

Clegg uses colloquial and evocative language, creating a relatable and intimate atmosphere. Words like "sorrow," "dance," and "twilight" evoke strong emotions and memories.

TONE AND MOOD:

Tone:

The tone is nostalgic and mournful, mixed with moments of joy and celebration of the kwela man’s spirit. The speaker reflects on past happiness while grappling with the absence of the kwela man.

Mood:

The mood shifts throughout the poem, creating a sense of longing and warmth. The refrain instils a feeling of community and shared experience, while the narrative evokes sadness over loss.

THEME:

Themes:

Memory and Loss: The poem deeply explores the impact of memory and the emotional weight of loss, centring on the figure of the kwela man.

Cultural Identity: It touches on themes of cultural heritage and the role of music in preserving identity and community.

The Power of Music: The kwela man’s songs symbolise the ability of music to connect people, evoke emotions, and transcend time.

Overall, Johnny Clegg's poem weaves a rich tapestry of sound, emotion, and imagery, using its structure and poetic devices to create a heartfelt homage to the kwela man and the memories he leaves behind.

Let’s break down each stanza of the poem and explore the significance of its content:

Stanza 1

Lines: Long ago there was a sound in the night

A kwela man singing under the street light

With a cheap guitar he gave his sorrow a smile

And he sowed his songs in the alley ways mile upon mile

Significance:

Setting the Scene: The stanza establishes a nostalgic atmosphere, evoking a specific time and place through sensory details ("sound in the night" and "under the street light"). This creates a sense of warmth and familiarity.

Character Introduction: The "kwela man" is introduced, representing a figure of joy and resilience, using music to cope with sorrow. The image of him with a "cheap guitar" highlights both his humble status and the authenticity of his artistry.

Imagery of Spreading Music: The phrase "sowed his songs" suggests that his music has a lasting impact, spreading throughout the community. This sets up the idea that music is a vital thread in the fabric of life.

Stanza 2 (Chorus)

Lines: Ye hum ho la lo kwela man

Ye hum ho la lo kwela man

Ye hum ho la lo kwela man

You gave it your life

Significance:

Repetition and Community: The repetition emphasises the communal experience of music and memory. It invites readers (or listeners) to join in, creating a sense of togetherness and shared nostalgia.

Tribute: This stanza serves as a tribute to the kwela man, acknowledging his dedication to his craft. The phrase "You gave it your life" suggests that his songs are not just entertainment; they are a part of his identity and existence.

Stanza 3

Lines: Living low with the pennywhistle-tea-chest-base-gang

I followed him home and he danced as he sang

But now he's gone

Not even the slightest traces

Of a kwela song

And the street is full of empty spaces

Significance:

Sense of Community: The mention of the "pennywhistle-tea-chest-base-gang" evokes a sense of camaraderie and shared cultural experience. It highlights the informal, joyful nature of kwela music, often played in communal settings.

Personal Connection: The speaker’s following of the kwela man signifies a deep personal connection, suggesting that his music was not just a backdrop but a guiding force in the speaker’s life.

Loss and Absence: The shift in tone becomes palpable here; the line "But now he's gone" introduces a sense of sorrow. The “empty spaces” signify the void left by the kwela man, contrasting sharply with the vibrant imagery of the previous stanzas.

Stanza 4 (Chorus)

Lines: Ye hum ho la lo kwela man

Ye hum ho la lo kwela man

Ye hum ho la lo kwela man

You gave it your life

Significance:

Reinforcement of Themes: The repetition of the chorus reinforces the themes of memory and tribute. It serves as a moment of collective mourning and celebration of the kwela man's legacy.

Emotional Resonance: This section brings the reader back to the emotional core of the poem, echoing the feelings of loss while also celebrating the impact of the kwela man's life and music.

Stanza 5

Lines: Nobody knows did he survive the winding road

Did he find a song that took him back to the heartland

Here I stand lost in a memory

Of a kwela man singing in the long gone twilight

Significance:

Uncertainty of Fate: The stanza reflects on the uncertainty of the kwela man’s fate, suggesting that the speaker, and perhaps the community, are left wondering about his journey and well-being.

Longing and Reflection: The speaker's contemplation of memories creates a poignant sense of longing. “Long gone twilight” evokes a sense of time passing and the impermanence of moments, emphasising how fleeting these memories can be.

Stanza 6 (Chorus)

Lines: When I followed you home kwela man

You filled my soul, kwela kwela

When you sang your song kwela man

You gave it your life

Significance:

Personal Reflection: This stanza personalises the speaker’s experience even more, reflecting on the direct impact the kwela man had on his life. The phrase "You filled my soul" suggests deep emotional nourishment derived from the music.

Celebration and Loss: The concluding lines bring together the celebratory aspects of the kwela man’s influence with the overarching theme of loss, encapsulating the essence of the poem.