The Lion Sleeps

Choreographed by Michael John Snr. & Michael John Jnr.
Description 32 Count 2 Wall Beginner Line Dance
Music: The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Live from the Albert Hall) - The Mavericks Collection 144bpm or Swinging
Safari by The Mavericks 164bpm

STEP SLIDES RIGHT, STEP SLIDES LEFT
1-2 Step right to right side, slide left next to right
3-4 Step right to right side, slide left next to right
(weight remains on right)
5-6 Step left to left side, slide right next to left
7-8 Step 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
9-10 Step forward right at 45 degree angle, touch left next to right
11-12 Step back left at 45 degree angle, touch right next to left
13-14 Step back right at 45 degree angle, touch left next to right
15-16 Step forward left at 45 degree angle, touch right next to left
(optional finger clicks or claps on touches)

SIDE SHUFFLE & ROCK STEP x 2
17 & 18 Side shuffle to right on RLR
19 - 20 Rock left behind right, rock forward on right
21 & 22 Side shuffle left on LRL
23 - 24 Rock right behind left, rock forward on left

SHUFFLES FORWARD, KICK TURN,RIGHT KICK BALL CROSS
25 & 26 Shuffle forward on RLR (optional hand movements below)
27 & 28 Shuffle forward on LRL (optional hand movements below)
29 - 30 Kick right foot forward, on left foot pivot 1/2 turn over left shoulder while kicking right foot back
31 & 32 Kick right foot forward, step right next to left, step left across right

(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.