"Kumbaya" (Lyrics As Sung By South Africa's Soweto Gospel Choir)

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision - July 25, 2026 

This pancocojams post showcase Soweto Gospel Chior (South Africa) performing the African American Spiritual "Kumbaya".

The content of this post is presented for spiritual, socio-cultural, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the original composers of Kumbaya and thanks to the Soweto Gospel Choir 

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KUMBAYA (a contemporary version as sung by The Soweto Gospel Choir)

Somebody’s cryin, Lord
(Kumbaya)
Somebody’s prayin, Lord
(Kumbaya)
Somebody’s cryin, Lord
(Kumbaya)
Somebody’s prayin, Lord
(Kumbaya)

Oh Lord, hear my prayer
(Kumbaya)
As I lift my voice and say
(Kumbaya)
I need you, Lord today
(Kumbaya)
I need you right away
(Kumbaya)

Somebody’s cryin, Lord
(Kumbaya)
Somebody’s prayin, Lord
(Kumbaya)
Somebody’s cryin, Lord
(Kumbaya)
Somebody’s prayin, Lord
(Kumbaya)

Somebody’s in despair
(Kumbaya)
Somebody feels like no one cares
(Kumbaya)
I know You’ll make a way
(Kumbaya)
Yes, the Lord will make a way
(Kumbaya)

Somebody’s in despair
(Kumbaya)
Somebody feels like no one cares
(Kumbaya)
I know You’ll make a way
(Kumbaya)

Yes, the Lord will make a way
(Kumbaya)

Somebody’s in despair
(Kumbaya)
Somebody feels like no one cares
(Kumbaya)
Oh, oh - o - o, kumbaya
Oh, Lord, kumbaya
(Come by here)
Oh, Lord, kumbaya
(Come by here)
Oh, Lord, kumbaya
(Come by here)
[soloist] Oh helele mama!*
Oh, Lord, kumbaya
(Come by here)
Oh, Lord, kumbaya

(Continue repeating with flourishes.)
-snip-

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I added this post because I couldn't find the lyrics to "Kumbaya" as sung by the Soweto Gospel Choir and several other choirs. This is my attempt at transcription from the video posted above. This transcription is based on YouTube video sound files, that video's comment thread, and other videos of that South African choir singing this song. However, this transcription isn't meant to represent the (possibly) ad lib flourishes that are sung toward the end of that rendition.

I'm not sure who wrote the lyrics for this version of "Kumbaya"and when they were written. Please add corrections and any information about this version of "Kumbaya". Thank you.
-snip-
*Here's a comment exchange from this video's viewer comment thread:

Does anyone know what lyrics the basses are singing in another language at the end of the song??
-choirdirector1; http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=dPrAHCOsNBQ ;January 2012;

**
The bass say "helele mama" meaning oh mama!!!
-netnavizero; http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=dPrAHCOsNBQJanuary 2012

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Here's a video of another choir singing that same version of "Kumbaya":

Khumbaya, Gospel Night 2009 Group 3



Uploaded by koichikm on Sep 13, 2009

-snip-
This choir's name & location isn't given in the uploader's summary or in the video's viewer comment thread. Most of the comments in that thread are in Spanish. Does anyone have any information about this choir? If so, please share it in the comment section. Thanks.

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Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/01/kumbaya-song-around-world.html for a related pancocojams post on "The Kumbaya Song Around The World"

Click http://www.mamalisa.com/?t=es&p=108&c=23 for the history of and the standard American lyrics for "Kumbaya".

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