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