Shadowland

"Shadowland" is a song written by Lebo M., Hans Zimmer and Mark Mancina for the musical The Lion King (1997), a stage adaptation of Disney's 1994 animated film of the same name. Based on the song "Lea Halalela (Holy Land)", a track featured on Lebo's Lion King-inspired concept album Rhythm of the Pride Lands (1995), Lebo composed the track with Zimmer, while both Lebo and Mancina contributed new lyrics to its pre-existing melody. Lebo based the song's lyrics on his own experiences having been exiled from South Africa during apartheid, therefore imbuing "Shadowland" with themes about refugeeism and survival.
Originally performed by Trinidadian-American singer and actress Heather Headley as the lioness Nala and South African actress Tsidii Le Loka as the baboon Rafiki, roles that both performers originated on stage, "Shadowland" narrates Nala's decision to leave the Pride Lands in search of a more habitable environment upon realizing that her homeland has grown dry and barren in the midst of Scar's reign. Taking place shortly after Nala rejects Scar's romantic advances, the song was used by director Julie Taymor to develop Nala into a stronger character for the stage adaptation, and personally identified "Shadowland" as her favourite among the production's original songs, believing its message and themes to be universal.
=== Lyrics ===
Chorus
Fatshe leso lea halalela This land of our ancestors is holy Fatshe leso lea halalela
Nala
Shadowland The leaves have fallen This shadowed land This was our home 
The river's dry The ground has broken So I must go Now I must go 
And where the journey may lead me Let your prayers be my guide I cannot stay here, my family But I'II remember my pride 
Chorus Nala
Prideland I have no choice My land I will find my way Tear-stained Lea halalela Dry land Take this Take this prayer With you What lies out there Fatshe leso Lea halalela
And where the journey may lead you Let this prayer be your guide Though it may take you so far away Always remember your pride
Fatshe leso lea halalela Rafiki Nala Fatshe leso lea halalela (chant) Fatshe leso lea halalela
Nala\Chorus And where the journey may lead you Let this prayer be your guide Though it may take you so far away Always remember your pride
Chorus Nala
And where the journey may lead you Giza buyabo, giza buyabo Let this prayer be your guide I will return, I will return Beso bo 
Though it may take you so far away Giza buyabo I will return Always remember your pride Giza buyabo, oh giza buyabo
Nala 
Beso bo, my people, beso bo
Category:Songs