The Lion Sleeps
Count:
32
Wall:
2
Level:
Beginner
Choreographer:
Michael John Sr. & Michael John Jr.
Music:
The Lion Sleeps Tonight - The Mavericks
STEP SLIDES RIGHT, STEP SLIDES LEFT
1-2Step right to right side, slide left next to right
3-4Step right to right side, slide left next to right (weight remains on right)
5-6Step left to left side, slide right next to left
7-8Step left to left, slide right next to left (weight remains on left)
Optional hand clap on counts 4 and 8
DIAGONAL STEP TOUCHES X 4
9-10Step forward right at 45 degree angle, touch left next to right
11-12Step back left at 45 degree angle, touch right next to left
13-14Step back right at 45 degree angle, touch left next to right
15-16Step forward left at 45 degree angle, touch right next to left
Optional finger clicks or claps on touches
SIDE SHUFFLE & ROCK STEP TWICE
17&18Side shuffle to right on right-left-right
19-20Rock left behind right, rock forward on right
21&22Side shuffle left on left-right-left
23-24Rock right behind left, rock forward on left
SHUFFLES FORWARD, KICK TURN, RIGHT KICK BALL CROSS
25&26Shuffle forward on right-left-right (optional hand movements below)
27&28Shuffle forward on left-right-left (optional hand movements below)
29-30Kick right foot forward, on left foot pivot ½ turn over left shoulder while kicking right foot back
31&32Kick right foot forward, step right next to left, step left across right
REPEAT
Optional hand movements on shuffles forward to coincide with vocal sections where the words "the lion sleeps tonight" occur (on right shuffle). Place hands together in 'prayer position'. Place hands on right cheek and bend head down to the right as though imitating sleeping. On left shuffle, transfer hands to left cheek, bending head down to the left
1-2Step right to right side, slide left next to right
3-4Step right to right side, slide left next to right (weight remains on right)
5-6Step left to left side, slide right next to left
7-8Step left to left, slide right next to left (weight remains on left)
Optional hand clap on counts 4 and 8
DIAGONAL STEP TOUCHES X 4
9-10Step forward right at 45 degree angle, touch left next to right
11-12Step back left at 45 degree angle, touch right next to left
13-14Step back right at 45 degree angle, touch left next to right
15-16Step forward left at 45 degree angle, touch right next to left
Optional finger clicks or claps on touches
SIDE SHUFFLE & ROCK STEP TWICE
17&18Side shuffle to right on right-left-right
19-20Rock left behind right, rock forward on right
21&22Side shuffle left on left-right-left
23-24Rock right behind left, rock forward on left
SHUFFLES FORWARD, KICK TURN, RIGHT KICK BALL CROSS
25&26Shuffle forward on right-left-right (optional hand movements below)
27&28Shuffle forward on left-right-left (optional hand movements below)
29-30Kick right foot forward, on left foot pivot ½ turn over left shoulder while kicking right foot back
31&32Kick right foot forward, step right next to left, step left across right
REPEAT
Optional hand movements on shuffles forward to coincide with vocal sections where the words "the lion sleeps tonight" occur (on right shuffle). Place hands together in 'prayer position'. Place hands on right cheek and bend head down to the right as though imitating sleeping. On left shuffle, transfer hands to left cheek, bending head down to the left