RTV repertoire catalog

The Lion Sleeps Tonight - Level 3a/3b Funtime Popular - pg. 6-7

ID 2416 · Structured composer unknown · Piano · Level 3 · Points 1250

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Collections: Level 3a/3b - Funtime Popular

“The Lion Sleeps Tonight” is a Level 3A/3B piano arrangement of the popular song also known as “Wimoweh” and “Mbube.” It is written in F major and 4/4 time, with a Moderate swing feel. The arrangement uses swung eighth notes, repeated chord patterns, simple left-hand bass motion, vocal-style melody, repeat signs, and a short final ritardando. The music is built around the contrast between the familiar “wim-o-weh” chant and the main verse melody.Measures 1–4 introduce the opening vocal-style call. The right hand begins with the long “Wee” idea, followed by the first “ooh wim-o-weh” phrase. The left hand supports this opening with simple chord tones and a short bass response.Measures 5–8 establish the main “wim-o-weh” chant pattern. The right hand uses repeated swung eighth-note chords while the left hand adds low bass notes underneath. This creates the main rhythmic groove of the arrangement.Measures 9–16 present the main verse melody. The right hand carries the familiar “In the jungle” melody while the left hand gives simple harmonic support. This section includes two lines of lyrics and returns to the lower bass response at the end of the phrase.Measures 17–20 bring back the repeated “wim-o-weh” chant. The right hand returns to the repeated chord pattern from earlier, while the left hand continues the low bass notes. This section completes the main repeated part of the arrangement.Measures 21–24 create a short contrasting break. The right hand uses longer held notes on the “whuh” phrases, while the left hand changes to repeated blocked chords. This gives the music a brief change of texture before the final return.Measures 25–29 bring back the opening idea and close the arrangement. The “Wee” and “ooh wim-o-weh” material returns, then the music slows with a ritardando and ends quietly on a final chord.Interesting fact: “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” began as “Mbube,” a song by South African musician Solomon Linda. “Mbube” means “lion” in Zulu, and the song later became known internationally through versions called “Wimoweh” and “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”