We never tire of watching and listening to these guys create amazing music.This footage was taken as part of our promotional video for the private Hillcrest School in Mutare, Zimbabwe. The Marimba boys testing out their new Marimbas on the last day of term here in Mutare.
Shot & Produced by Philip and Shirley Hitschmann
**** Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post showcases seven YouTube videos of marimba (music instrument) performances by Zimbabwean or South African high schools or colleges.
The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #2-Hillcrest College - Marimba Challenge Cup Winner
National Institute of Allied Arts Zimbabwe, Mar 11, 2017 -snip- The word "college" in this Zimbabwean school doesn't have the same meaning as it does in the United States. Read the information about the ages of Zimbabwe's Hillcrest College students in my first comment in this post's discussion thread below.
**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #3-Marimba Challenge - Avondale Primary School
National Institute of Allied Arts Zimbabwe, Mar 3, 2019
Marimba Challenge 2018
Avondale Primary School
'Dance Party' -snip- The term "primary school" appears to be the same thing or very similar to the term "elementary school that is used in the United States".
[Additions and corrections are welcome.]
**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #4-"Drive" (as orig. performed by Black Coffee/Guetta)- 2019 Hilton College
Competition Marimba band. Hilton College Music, Aug 3, 2019
Full version of 'Drive' performed at the 2019 International Steel Pan & Marimba Festival. -snip- The word "college" in this South African school doesn't have the same meaning as it does in the United States. Read the information about the ages of South Africa's Hilton College in my first comment in this post's discussion thread below.
**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #5 - Goede Hoop Marimba Band | Education Africa
Education Africa, Jan 7, 2019
Education Africa's Marimba Band Goede Hoop performing at the International Marimba and Steelpan Festival.
**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #6-KUTINYA CHALLENGE CUP winner Prince Edward School - Junior
Band "Chauya Chauya" by T. Ndhlovu
National Institute of Allied Arts Zimbabwe, Apr 5, 2022 HARARE
Eisteddfod 2022
Marimba Challenge 2022
Senior Schools
**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #7 -The One by Education Africa Alumni All Stars Marimba Band
Education Africa, Mar 4, 2023
The One by Lydia Mokhele performed at The Guy Butler Theatre in Makhanda for the SAME (South African American Music Exchange) Concert in December 2022
This pancocojams post showcases the 2018 song "Zumba" by Dj Siya ft Dr Tawanda and Chomza.
This pancocojams post includes information about these recording artists as well as information about the Southern African nations that they represent.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, educational and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Dj Siya ft Dr Tawanda and Chomza for their music and thanks to all others who are associated with this video. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.
A producer, DJ, and performer who’s worked with many
industry giants over the years, DJ Siya sits down with Ché Ulenga on ‘The
Tribe’ to talk about his music journey.
Tell us about how the journey started for you and what music
means to you?
I’d say music is in our family. I remember when I started in
1998, I was not a professional yet but I remember my two late uncles inspiring
me. One of them is DJ Bolly, he was one of the famous DJ’s back then and the
other one, John Mutonga used to be NBC’s
Service Manager. Those are the people who introduced me to the music industry.
At first, I did it because I wanted to make money but then I fell in love with
it."... **** DR. TAWANDA Excerpt #1 From https://www.herald.co.zw/dr-tawanda-comes-home/ 1 May, 2015 "Botswana-based musician Doctor Tawanda — real name Tawanda Kasaira — is heading to Zimbabwe for two massive gigs at in Harare over the weekend. He is set to share the stage with Suluman Chimbetu at Mushandirapamwe Hotel tomorrow and the same combination goes to Jongwe Corner on Sunday. The musician is one of the best producers in Botswana and his music is popular in that country and also in Zimbabwe.
Dr Tawanda produced albums for musicians such as Slizer, Charma Gal and Vee of the “Taku Taku” fame. He released songs that are fast becoming anthems in most public places. Whenever there is a social gathering people are requesting one of his songs “Unconquerable” which was done by Dr Tawanda who also has hits “Ambuye” and “Hosana” among others."...
Born Tawanda Kasaira, the versatile producer who built his music empire in Botswana, also took the opportunity to parade his wife Chomza.
The wife danced merrily at the event where she stole the show.
“Congratulations Mark Ngwazi and your group (Njanja Express) for launching your album, ‘Mudzimu Wabudira Pambeveve’.
“Luckily, I am using this launch to also unveil my South African wife Boipelo Mogwera Kasaira to Zimbabwe.
“Her stage name is Chomza, born and bred in South Africa in Mafikeng, in the North West province.
“She is an artiste having four albums under her Chomzatainment, all the album were produced by myself @ his Mega Bass Studios,” he said.
He said Chomza has also done a number of collaborations with a number of regional artistes.
“Chomza has done a lot of collaborations with the likes of Vee Mampeezy of Botswana, DJ Siya of Namibia, Dr Tawanda from Zimbabwe, Lady Storm of Zimbabwe, Romeo Gasa as well.
“She can dance and sing all at an excellent level, you all witnessed it here at Marka Ngwazi’s launch."....
**** INFORMATION ABOUT THE NATIONS THAT THESE ARTISTS REPRESENT
NAMIBIA From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namibia "Namibia ... officially the Republic of Namibia, is a country in Southern
Africa. Its western border is the Atlantic Ocean; it shares land borders with
Zambia and Angola to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the
south and east. Although it does not border Zimbabwe, less than 200 metres (660
feet) of the Zambezi River separates the two countries."
**** ZIMBABWE
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zimbabwe "Zimbabwe ..., officially the Republic of
Zimbabwe, formerly Rhodesia,[13] and Zimbabwe Rhodesia, is a landlocked country
located in Southern Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers, bordered by
South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique. The capital and largest city is
Harare. The second largest city is Bulawayo. A country of roughly 14
million[14][15] people, Zimbabwe has 16 official languages,[3] with English,
Shona, and Ndebele the most common."...
**** BOTSWANA From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana "Botswana ...,
officially the Republic of Botswana (Setswana: Lefatshe la Botswana; Kalanga:
Hango yeBotswana), is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. Botswana is
topographically flat, with up to 70 percent of its territory being the Kalahari
Desert. It is bordered by South Africa to the south and southeast, Namibia to
the west and north, and Zimbabwe to the northeast. Its border with Zambia to
the north near Kazungula is poorly defined due to being in the midst of the
Zambezi River. This border with Zambia is, at most, a few hundred metres
long.[16["...
**** SOUTH AFRICA From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Africa "South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA),
is the southernmost country in Africa. With over 59 million people, it is the
world's 24th-most populous nation and covers an area of 1,221,037 square
kilometres (471,445 square miles). South Africa has three capital cities:
executive Pretoria, judicial Bloemfontein and legislative Cape Town. The
largest city is Johannesburg. About 80% of South Africans are of Black African
ancestry,[9] divided among a variety of ethnic groups speaking different
African languages.[13] The remaining population consists of Africa's largest
communities of European, Asian, and multiracial ancestry.
It is bounded to the south by 2,798 kilometres (1,739 mi) of
coastline of Southern Africa stretching along the South Atlantic and Indian
Oceans;[14][15][13] to the north by the neighbouring countries of Namibia,
Botswana, and Zimbabwe; and to the east and northeast by Mozambique and
Eswatini (former Swaziland); and it surrounds the enclaved country of
Lesotho.[16] It is the southernmost country on the mainland of the Old World,
and the most populous country located entirely south of the equator. South
Africa is a biodiversity hotspot, with a diversity of unique biomes and plant
and animal life."...
This pancocojams post presents information about the Zimbabwean born singer KWAYE and showcases his 2017 song "Sweetest Life".
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to KWAYE and all those who are associated with this song and this video. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT KWAYE
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwaye
"Kwayedza Kureya, mononymously known by his stage name KWAYE, is a Zimbabwean singer and songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. He is commonly known for getting introduced to music by the managers of Mind of a Genius record label and musician ZHU. He is also known for working with songwriter and record producer Willson and for releasing his debut extended play, entitled Solar, in 2017.
Early Life and Career
Born in Zimbabwe and raised in London, Kwaye began performing at an early age and grew up playing the viola, sax, and guitar. He later moved to Brighton, United Kingdom to study African-American studies and the music industry. Whilst on a study abroad program in LA, Kwaye played a demo of one of his recently recorded songs for an Uber driver who so happened to be a former A&R executive.
The driver sent the demo to Mind of a Genius and within a few weeks, Kwaye became the label's first UK artist. His debut single, entitled "Cool Kids", was released in March 2017. The song, once officially released, was announced to also have side-b track, entitled "Sweetest Life", but was never released onto digital streaming platforms.[1]
In May 2017, Kwaye announced the release of his second single, entitled "Little Ones". This was succeeded by its music video, which was originally intended for a release on the Friday of the Manchester shootings, but was pushed back to later date to avoid controversy. It was therefore released on 30 May 2017.
In July 2017, Kwaye announced the release of his debut extended play, entitled Solar, and revealed his third single, entitled "Sweetest Life". The song, as well as the EP, were released on the same day of 25 July 2017."...
-snip-
Here's information about the name "Kwayedza" from http://www.thisismybabyname.com/listings/kwayedza-shona-zimbabwe-baby-girl-name/
"Kwayedza is a Zimbabwe name often given to Baby Girl and it is of Shona origin.The meaning of Kwayedza in Shona is Sunrise.
Name-Kwayedza
Origin-Shona
Country-Zimbabwe
Meaning-Sunrise
Gender-Girl
Kwayedza is a Baby Girl name of Shona origin meaning Sunrise.
-snip-
The name "Kwayedza" appears to also be given to males since KWAYE is male, and that is his birth name.
****
LYRICS
(Written By KWAYE & William Leong)
[Verse 1]
Elevate the tides, babe
There's no way, there's no way I could fall
When I'm in this state of mind, babe
There's no name but your name I would call
And if you feel like I do
Then there's no way, there's no way this is wrong
You're the sweetest thing about me
There's no shame in that at all
[Pre-Chorus]
Feel good feeling when I'm giving all this love to you
No mistaking it's the real thing, obviously, this is true
[Chorus]
In the sweetest life, the living is alright
And the loving is easy when you're with me
In the sweetest life, the living is alright
And the loving is easy when you're with me
In the sweetest life, the living is alright
And the loving is easy when you're with me
In the sweetest life, the living is alright
And the loving is easy when you're with me
[Verse 2]
I'll take you to my island
Let's get away, get away from it all
And if you're feeling undecided
Just take my hand and put it in yours
[Chorus]
In the sweetest life, the living is alright
And the loving is easy when you're with me
In the sweetest life, the living is alright
And the loving is easy when you're with me
Ah, sweetest, sweetest
Ah, sweetest, sweetest
Ah, sweetest, sweetest
Ah, sweetest, sweetest
[Bridge]
I'm over questioning how, baby
You know exactly who I am
(Let's elevate the tides and stay in this state of mind)
Let it all go
[Chorus]
In the sweetest life, the living is alright
And the loving is easy when you're with me
In the sweetest life, the living is alright
And the loving is easy when you're with me
In the sweetest life, the living is alright
And the loving is easy when you're with me
In the sweetest life, the living is alright
And the loving is easy when you're with me
In the sweetest life, the living is alright
(Alright)
And the loving is easy when you're with me
(And you give me the sweetest life)
In the sweetest life, the living is alright
(Alright)
And the loving is easy when you're with me
(Sweetest life, it's alright)
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: KWAYE - Sweetest Life [Official Music Video]
KWAYE, Published on Aug 29, 2017
-snip-
A number of commenters in this video's discussion thread wrote that they were introduced to this song by hearing it on the teen television drama series On My Block. Here's one of those comments:
Jerome Walker, 2018
"Netflix show On my block brought me here ! Episode 7 I think ...dooooope track !"
This pancocojams post provides a definition for and information
about the Jamaican Patois term "Big up". ("Big ups),
This post also presents selected YouTube discussion thread
comments that include the term "Big up." ("Big ups") .
The content of this post is presented for linguistic,
cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all of the featured singers and musicians whose videos are referenced in these comments. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of those videos on YouTube.
****
This post is part of ongoing pancocojams series on linguistics. I'm particularly interested in African American Vernacular English, Jamaican Patois, African Creole languages, and the combinations of those languages/dialects with traditional African languages in YouTube music, and/or in YouTube discussion threads.
Click the tabs below to find other pancocojams posts in this series.
****
JAMAICAN PATOIS DEFINITION OF "BIG UP"
From http://jamaicanpatwah.com/b/top-15-jamaican-patois-words-you-should-know#.V9MRmpgrLcs
Top 15 Jamaican Patois words you should know, Posted on July 28, 2014
"Big up
English Translation:
Give respect / Give props
Definition
To give respect, encouragement or to acknowledge someone
Example Sentences
(Patois) Mi hav fi big up John fi everything him duh fi wi
(English) I have to give John respect for everything that he did for us"
****
EXCERPT FROM ARTICLE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE TERM "BIG UPS" [Added 9/9/2016]
From http://grammarist.com/usage/big-ups/ http://grammarist.com/usage/big-ups/
"Big-ups (sometimes unhyphenated, sometimes singular) is an idiom that entered American English and, less conspicuously, British English around 1990. It has several meanings, but in the U.S. and Britain, where it started in hip-hop culture, it’s mainly used to acknowledge someone or to express respect or approval. It usually works as a noun. For instance, a performer on stage might send big-ups to a friend in the audience, or we might give big-ups to Grandma for her amazing green-bean casserole. In the acknowledgement sense, a big-up is similar to a shout-out. When it expresses praise, a big-up is similar to kudos and props.
Big up also appears as a verb phrase meaning (1) to give big-ups, (2) to make bigger (figuratively or literally), or (3) to pay homage to.
These 21st-century uses of big-ups descend from older senses primarily from English-speaking parts of the Caribbean, where the phrase has several meanings, including (1) a strong or important person,1 and (2) to promote or to elevate the importance of (someone). Outside the Caribbean, the phrase first gained traction in New York City and London, where Caribbean immigrants had an influence on the development of hip-hop culture through the 70s and 80s, and it gradually spread through the 90s and 00s. Though big-ups still appears occasionally, some might find it a little dated, and it tends to give way to shout-out and other synonyms.
Examples:
Music has become the vehicle to dis or big-up the latest fashion trend. [Vibe (1994)]
Big ups to Sean “Puffy” Combs who, despite being one of the most successful producers today, retains enough humility to reach back and pull up another black talent. [Billboard (1995)]....
-snip-
That article didn't provide any information about when "big up"/"big ups" was first used in the Africa continent. However, the earliest date that I found for the use of "big up" was July 13, 2010, in the title of and several comments from a nairaland.com [Nigerian] discussion post congratulating South Africa for their success in hosting the World Cup. http://www.nairaland.com/477417/drop-congratulatory-message-south-africa/1"...
**** PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE This pancocojams post documents in a small way that the Jamaican originated term "Big up" ("Big ups") has been and still is used in the continent of Africa.
The comments that are found below are from several YouTube discussion threads for contemporary African music. These videos were selected at random as a result of my "surfing" YouTube from contemporary African music.
Most of these videos have been featured in their own pancocojams post or may be featured in an upcoming pancocojams post.
The discussion threads that are quoted below are from YouTube videos from the following African nations (given in alphabetical order)
Cameroon & Uganda collaboration Kenya Nigeria South Africa
Tanzania Uganda Zimbabwe
** The fact that these comments are in a YouTube discussion thread for a video from the nation of South Africa does not mean that all the commenters are from that nation. However, most of the commenters are from some African nation as indicated in their comments. The earliest form of this term is probably "Big up yourself".
** This compilation doesn't purport to be all of the comments in that discussion thread to date that include the term "Big up"" ("Big ups").
**** EXAMPLES OF THE TERMS "BIG UP"/"BIG UPS" IN YOUTUBE DISCUSSION THREADS FOR SEVERAL AFRICAN CONTEMPORARY MUSIC VIDEOS These comments are presented in chronological order for each video with the oldest comments given first except for replies. However, these comments may not be in consecutive order.
I've assigned numbers for referencing purposes only.
1.Orode-Okah Benjamin, 2015
"I have played this song not less than 100 times since ystday... its been on repeat cos the happiness in it is sooo contagious. Big ups Eddy Kenzo!!!"
**
2. falia dudia, 2015
"too much love kenzo here in cape town, big up man."
**
3. guy ahanga8 months ago, 2016
"Never knew why this song was remembering me one of the song of Zaiko Langa Langa, the one that Fally Ipupa recently mixed in the F-Victeam generique #2 single, until I discover that they are our neighbors from Uganda. Big up Bujumbura 💗👏👍"
1. ViruSraSta, 2015
"great tune! Big ups from Poland!!!!"
**
2. Oscar Ruderstad, 2015
"Sweden, come into the dance. Big Up to this tune!"
**
3. RICCI CASTRO, 2015
"I'm So InLove With African Music 😍!! My Brother is A DJ And Every time he put this songs People too Crazy Loving this Music's. #BigUpFromHonduras!
#NYC!"
1. Debel Ajiboye, 2015
"I am a Nigerian and I am just knowing about Gasha through this song. OMG! She is really talented. What a talented female artist Cameroon got. Big up Kenzo for futuring her, she killed the song with her opera voice, you must indeed buy her an aeroplane like she said loool"
**
2. Georges MOMO, 2015
"Big up Gasha"
**
3. paul barezi, 2015
"beautiful music big ups Gasha n Eddy K"
**
4. Olivia Fodouop, 2015
"Been playing this song on repeat since discovery yesterday, PROUD Cameroonian! Big up, Gasha & Eddy Kenzo :)"
1. merenguero1026, 2011
"im not african but this sounds like soca calypso from the carib of honduras... so im guessin this is where the roots of our music is from beautiful music i must say ;) big up to Zimbabwe"
1. ISAAC JUMA, 2016
"Yemi big up yourself....sexy woman..reminds me of the antique African ladysexy Yondo sister.....Africa hoyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee..a big chune"
**
2. djmaleda, 2016
"Love this tune. Big up my Nigerian massive. Nuff love.
"And he say i no do him like the west india they do"?"
-snip-
"massice" = people (masses of people)
**
3. Sebenzile Magagula, 2016
"yemi rock big up strong girl💪😙"
**
4. Spade Guidingstar, 2016
This Song Is The Sh&t!* I love this tune. I played this song at wedding and the place went stupid! No one at the party never even heard it B4! This tune is hard! Big Up Yemi Alade!
-snip-
*This word was fully spelled out.
1.Ras Sjamaan, 2013
"#1 tune! Everybody understands now that afrohouse is the future of music! Big up SA for putting it down."
-snip-
"Afro House" is the music genre for this South African record.
**
2. Lulu M, 2013
"MAFIKIZOLO..... <3 br="" girl="" u="">
Big up all the way from East Africa, TANZANIA :)
Ur songs never disappoint us. HAKUNA MATATA ~"
**
3. sd17 mufc, 2014
"Big Up South Africa!!!!!!!!!!!!"
**
4. Haroon Ebrahim Collier, 2014
"Beautiful African Queen, Stunning Voice, Well produced Song and Music Video, Wicked Beat, it's no surprise they won song of the year for this one, Big-Up Mafikizolo and Uhuru
-snip-
Another commenter wrote that they won the MAMA award.
**
5. Busy Kasanke, 2014
"song is a hit is UG Kampala. big up Mafikizolo"
-snip-
"UG" = Uganda
**
6. Patrick Kamara, 2014
"No doubt, Khona will be the song of the year 2013. This is going to be a 'Khona Christmas' LOL. Love it here in SIERRA LEONE. Song hitting in all clubs, pubs and pubic transports.... I mean everywhere! Big up to Mafikizolo and Uhuru for making Africa proud."
**
7. Jolly twapstar, 2014
"wow such a nice beat and nice track. I enjoy this music so much anytime i listen to the music. Big up man. Mi from nigeria. Your music rock everywhere in my city"
**
8. gedza Mak, 2014
"U CAN ONLY UNDERSTAND THIS MUSIC WEN U VISIT SA###BIG UP PRETORIA"
**
9.. Daniel Adu, 2016
This tune is blazing hot in my stereos right here in GHANA and the replay button is RAPED! Big Ups NAFIKIZOLO....I dnt understand sh&t* in the song but it is a banger merhn"
-snip-
"reply button is raped" = keeps on being touched; I've also seen this written (on other YouTube contemporary African music video discussion threads that the replay button is being "murdered" since it was hit so much.
*That word is fully spelled out in this comment.
"A banger" - a hot tune, the bomb
**
10. kingjoe mnand, 2014
"big up good music sa"
**
11. pat dad, 2014
"@Gh.... really proud to be African... BIG UPS; BEAUTIFUL SONG..."
**
12.john Ng'ang'a, 2014
"big tune buh i wish i knw the S.A language.big up khona."
**
13..Wangui Rae Malkia, 2015
This is about THE AFRICAN SPIRIT. AFRICAN POWER AFRICAN BEAUTY. the devil is a lier oh.My sistoh OH .. One Africa. BIG UP YOURSELF. BIGUP. Haha kumekucha."
-snip-
The comment "the devil is a liar" might be in response to a number of comments that are either in support of or opposed to the inclusion in this video of the featured dancers who are known to be gay.
-snip-
Here is the an example from that Mafikizolo video's discussion that ends with "props":
"Matthew Xiu, 2014
"Whoever is directing these Mafikizolo videos (and the video for Xigubu as well) is doing a GREAT aesthetic job. The outfits, scenery, everything is beautiful! The music is awesome too! #Props"
-snip-
This is the only example of a comment that I recall reading in the period of time that I've been doing this particular research that ends with that word instead of the synonyms or closely related terms "big up" or "well done", "congratulations", or "bravo!"
This post showcases an example of the African American Spiritual "You better Mind" as sung by a Seventh Day Adventist Choir from Zimbabwe, and an example of that sung that is sung by an African Belgium musical group. The lyrics for those renditions are also included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS
(These videos are presented in chronological order with the oldest dated video given first.)
Example #1: You Better Mind - UNSHAKEN
mrvals, Uploaded on Apr 30, 2007
Video clip of Unshaken recorded at Aspindale SDA Church in March 2007.[Harare, Zimbabwe]
-snip-
BASIC LYRICS:
Chorus
You better mind
(You better mind)
You better mind
(You better mind)
You gonna give an account on the judgment*
You better mind
You better mind how you preach
You better mind what you're preaching about
You gotta give an account of the judgment
You better mind
Additional verses following that same pattern:
You better mind how you sing...
You better mind how you talk...
You better mind how your think...
****
Example #2: The Brothers United, You Better Mind (Medley)
C Ndamnsa, uploaded on Mar 12, 2010
The Brothers United, Belgium, Gospel, Christian, Africa, African Acapella, Acappella, You Better Mind, Male, Choir, Cameroon, Antwerpen, Interview
-snip-
LYRICS
[Chorus:]
You better mind
(You better mind)
You better mind
(You better mind)
You got to give an account on the judgment
You better mind
[repeat 1x beginning with Oh you better mind]
You better mind
How you speak
(Yes)
You better mind what you speaking about
(Sure)
You got to give an account on the judgment
You better mind
Chorus 3x
You better mind how you preach etc.
[1:56 begins a version of the song “Good News”]
There is a Hallelujah songs
Hallelujah songs in the heaven I know [repeat 3 times]
And I don’t wanna be left behind
Chorus:
Good news
(Good news my Lord is coming)
So glad
(So glad my Lord is coming)
Ha Ha
(Ah ha my Lord is coming)
And I don’t wanna be left behind
[repeat chorus 1x]
There is a Hallelujah songs
Hallelujah songs in the heaven I know [repeat 3 times]
And I don’t wanna be left behind
Chorus [2x]
There is a Hallelujah songs etc
You better mind
(You better mind)
You better mind
(You better mind)
You got to give an account on the judgment
You better mind
-snip-
Transcription by Azizi Powell. Additions and corrections are welcome.
****
EXPLANATION OF CERTAIN PHRASES
“You better mind” = be mindful of (be careful about, be aware of)
Give an account on the judgment= be judged by what you’ve done on judgment day;
In the version of "You Better Mind" that I learned and in other African American versions I've heard those words are "you gotta give an account at the judgment.
(Italics to highlight the difference in that word from those two versions given above.)
Part I of this series provides information & comments about and examples of Arlo Guthries' performances of this song. Guthrie is credited with popularizing the song "Gwabi Gwabi" (using the title) "Guabi Guabi" in the USA and in other parts of the "Western" world.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG "GWABI GWABI"
From http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=4060&messages=25 “Origins: Guabe, Guabe / Guabi", posted by MikeofNorthumbria on 12 Jun 00
"Guabi Guabi can be found on a field recording collected by Hugh Tracy in the mid 1950s. It was released on a Decca 10" LP called Guitars of Africa. I don't know if there have been any re-issues since. Jack Elliot and several other folkies used to play this tune in the '60s. A version of it was printed in Sing Out magazine round about then.
According to the sleeve notes on the Tracy recording, the singer (and presumably composer) was George Sibanda, who came from the country now known as Zambia*, but once called Northern Rhodesia. The song is based on a children's game - one child hides something behind his/her back and invites the other child to guess what it is (apparently "Guabi" means "Guess").
The lyrics, more or less phonetically transcribed, go like this:
Guabi guabi guzwange, lay tombyami
Laleng kambi, shu yantanda (2x)
Nizabu tengi, la ma banzi,
Izu wiji, lay banana! (2x)
Any Swahili* speakers out there who can give a translation (and correct my spelling)?
-snip-
Besides being a pretty little song, "Guabi Guabi" also features a nice bit of guitar-picking...
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*BIG CORRECTIONS – The African nation is Zimbabwe and not Zambia and the language in the song is Ndebele and not Swahili.
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FEATURED VIDEOS
Example #1: Chuzi Mama Gwabi Gwabi from Wait A Minim! (1966)
WaitAMinim, Uploaded on Oct 26, 2011
Chuzi Mama Gwabi Gwabi, from the Original Broadway recording of
Wait A Minim! (1966)
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"Gwabi Gwabi" begins at .037.
Here's information about that musical revue from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wait_a_Minim!:
"Wait a Minim! (1962-68) was a musical revue conceived by Leon Gluckman, with original songs by Jeremy Taylor, and a collection of international folk music arranged by Andrew Tracey. Many authentic instruments were played to accompany dances and pantomimes satirizing the national characteristics and political and social eccentricities of many different countries. The only spoken words were when the cast was introduced, and in the South African scene where apartheid was ridiculed."
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Example #2: Alastair Moock - Guabi Guabi
steveide59, Uploaded on Mar 3, 2010
Rose Garden Coffeehouse, Mansfield, Mass., Feb. 27, 2010. For more videos, photos and articles, visit http://folkbluegrassblog.com
-snip-
Alastair Moock correctly credits this song’s composer [George Sibanda], the nation from which it comes [Zimbabwe & not South Africa] and language [Ndebele and not Zulu or Swahili]
Moock also got the song's story right [A man teases his girlfriend by hiding something behind his back, saying "Guess what it is.]
However, this commenter wrote that the performer spelled the song wrong.
ntandoyenkosi sibanda, 2012
"The correct spelling is Gwabi gwabi"
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Notice that this commenter has the same last name as the "Gwabi Gwabi"'s composer, George Sibanda. This probably mean that this commenter is Zimbabwean and might even mean that the commenter is related to that composer. By the way, ntandoyenkosi sibanda wrote this same comment on several videos or sound files of this song.
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Example #3: Peter Lang / Guabi Guabi/ Live April 2008
Peter Lang, Uploaded on May 18, 2008
Live at the Dakota Jazz Club , Minneapolis, with Dave King (The Bad Plus), Joe Lang, and Jonathan Thomas.
This Zulu folk tune was originaly recorded by South African George Sibanda in the 1948. Sibanda became one of the first Pan-African music stars. The song illustrates the relationship between blues and its African ancestory.
Copyright 2008
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Here's a comment from this video's viewer comment thread:
Mduduzi Michael Ncube, 2012
"Not South African but Zimbabwean ,not Zulu But Ndebele"
-snip-
This commenter wrote this same comment on several other videos or sound files of this song.
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Example #4: Guabi Guabi
.
ksorel1968 Uploaded on Mar 24, 2011
-snip-
A baby dances & sings to a recording of the song "Gwabi Gwabi" (given as "Guabi Guabi”)
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EDITORIAL COMMENT
YouTube.com has a sound file of "Gwabi Gwabi" that is sung by George Sibanda, who was the first person to record it. I very much regret not showcasing the audio of that song. However, I have chosen not to embed or link to that sound file because it includes photographs of topless women. I've made that decision because it's my hope that this post [corrected word added June 16, 2017] will be used as a supplemental resource in schools, and public schools in the USA, at least, would disqualify this post because of those photographs.
That said, here are selected comments from that sound file's viewer comment thread:
"Ukungazi kufana lokufa. This is George Sibanda 1942. He is the first Zimbabwean international superstar. Some of his songs were done by the Beatles. He is still popular in Sweden today. Many bands play his songs today...
-yizo4sho, 2010
**
This is a Zulu folk song lol, Arlo by no means did it first.
-shakinthembones, October 2011
**
It also a Ndebele folk song
-08736409, October 2011
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to George Sibanda for introducing the song "Gwabi Gwabi" to the world. Thanks to all those who are featured on this post, including the commenters who I have quoted and the authors of online post about this song.
Thanks to the producers of this sound file and these videos and thanks to their YouTube publishers.
This post is Part I of a two part series on the Zimbabwean song "Gwabi Gwabi". The title of this song is widely but inaccurately given as "Guabi Guabi".
Part I of this series provides information about the song "Gwabi Gwabi", showcases three examples of Arlo Guthrie's performances of this song, and includes comments about & corrections of Guthrie's early stories about that song.
Part II of this series provides additional information about this song, and features information and additional examples of "Gwabi Gwabi".
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
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INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG "GWABI GWABI"
[Update June 16, 2017, with words omitted or changed from the earlier edition of this post written in brackets]
"Gwabi Gwabi" is a Ndebele folk song and a Zulu folk song which was first recorded by the Zimbabwean guitarist/singer George Sibanda in the 1940s or 1950s. American folk singer Arlo Guthrie is credited with popularizing the song "Gwabi Gwabi" in the USA and in other parts of the "Western" world.
Here's information about Arlo Guthrie's early recordings of this song that he titled "Guabi Guabi": http://www.arlo.net/resources/lyrics/guabi.shtml [Link no longer active as of at least June 16, 2017]
To summarize the first two parts of this article, White American folksinger Arlo Guthrie made up two completely inaccurate stories about the meaning of the word that he spelled "guabi" and the meaning of the song "Gwabi Gwabi". Those stories can be found at the link given above.
Guthrie's stories about this African folk song "read" like American fanciful "lying contests" ("tall tales"). In both of those stories, Guthrie incorrectly translates the word "gwabi" (which he spells "guabi") as a personal name. In both of these stories that Guthrie made up about this African folk song, the man is depicted in ways that mirror the United State's coon stereotype of Black men. And in both of Guthrie's "explanations" about this song the man is depicted [as slipping] on a banana peel and dying for one reason or another.
In the first story the man is arrested because "he cut some sandals out of the tires down there at the dock and they brought him up to the police station--about 13 stories up in the air. The next day they found Guabi had somehow got out the window of a room in a police station that was "13 stories up in the air" and "ended up down the road about three miles."
Continuing that story that Guthrie spins about the song "Gwabi Gwabi" -which he calls "Guabi Guabi", the police gave another account of Guabi's death- that he slipped on a banana peel and fell out that 13th floor window. But, as a result of an investigation, the "actual" account of Guabi's death was that he was chased by the police and his sandals made out of tires blew up.
You will recall that this "tall tale" was used as an introduction for a Southern African song during the time of South African apartheid when numerous acts of police brutality toward Black South Africans [were] occurring, the result of which led to [a number of] "unexplained" or fancifully explained deaths. In my opinion, this makes Guthrie's inclusion of such a tall tale in a Southern African folk song even more unconscionable.
The second "explanation" that Arlo Guthrie gives for the meaning of the song "Guabi Guabi" is said to be an earlier "translation" pf this African song. That story is featured in Example #1 of this post. In that story, the main character is again named "Guabi", but is called "Guabs" by his friends. Guthrie indicates that both of [these] names were "Guabi" because he was "so poor that he didn't have 2 names".
Not only in his introduction, but also during his singing of that song, Arlo Guthrie describes "Guabi" as a stupid man. According to this story, that man slips on a bananna peel, falls off a bridge, and is killed by piranhas.
While it's true that the actual lyrics to the song "Gwabi Gwabi" mention bananas, in light of the widespread trope in the United States of describing Black people as monkeys, I believe that Guthrie's inclusion of the "slipping on a banana peel" ruse is quite problematic.
It's probable that Arlo Guthrie didn't intend for his "tall tale" stories of the meaning of this Southern African folk song to be to be racist. However, intent is no defense for what actually is racist.
The actual story of that song is given in the third section of that article which is entitled [several duplicate words deleted from initial edition of this post] "The Truth of It All": [blockquote added for increased clarity]
"Guabi, Guabi: a South African folk song tremendously popular with folkies in the 60s and 70s, thanks to the recordings of Jack Elliott(1), Jim Kweskin, and Arlo Guthrie. It's a Zulu children's song with a wonderful melody and addictive guitar fingerpicking, and was taken from the singing and playing of guitarist George Sibanda(2). It can be found on an album put out by Decca called Guitars of Africa.
The song is about someone who teases his girlfriend by holding something behind his back and saying, "Guess what I've got." It's an interesting mix of Zulu and French expressions, and this English transliteration and translation is from Andrew Tracy of the African Music Society thanks to the guitar tutorials of Happy Traum (who put out a book with the tablature for Guabi Guabi):
"Guabi, Guabi, guzwangle notamb yami,
(Hear, Guabi, Guabi, I have a girlfriend)
Ihlale nkamben', shu'ngyamtanda
(She lives at Nkamben, sure I love her)
Ngizamtenge la mabanzi, iziwichi le banana."
(I will buy her buns, sweets, and bananas.)
If you've never heard the song sung before, the above is miles away from the actual sound of the African language. Such is the transliteration and its shortcomings.
Good luck with pronouncing the transliteration if you don't have a recording. As for the chords, it's straight C, F, and G. The fingerpicking takes a little more...
One other possibility-write to the Int'l Library Of African Music at Grahamstown,SA (Andrew Tracey) for more on his, and his dad's remarkable work. Their albums, obviously, fueled many-a-crafty folkie, besides doing their intended work...
(1) Jack recorded "Gaubi Guabi" on a 1964 LP called JACK ELLIOTT (Vanguard). That LP has been combined with a live recording from that era and released on a single CD as THE ESSENTIAL RAMBLIN' JACK ELLIOTT (Vanguard).
(2) George Sibanda was an Ndebele guitarist who recorded for the Gallotone label (78rpm) in about 1950; a discovery of Hugh Tracey, eminent saviour of trad. African music. For a time he was funded, in part, by this commercial concern, acting as a "talent scout" for potential "hit" material (as was the case here) in exchange for the ability to document more traditional styles. The record gained some prominence in Europe, being reissued in a series of 10" discs on London(1950s); the series re-shuffled & augmented on 12" Gallotone lps (1960s-S. Africa) and in the early 1970s re-reissued on Kaleidoscope (NYC) -all under the editorial imprimatur of Dr.Tracey. Sibanda was (is???) a lovely guitarist and had many successes in his early days.
"
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CORRECTIONS: This song is from Zimbabwean and was originally sung in the Ndebele language and not the Zulu language. I'm not sure if any of the words to this song that Guthrie sings are in Zulu or French.
-snip-
Additional information about the song "Gwabi Gwabi"
can be found in Part II of this series.
*[This sentence re-written for clarity] The spelling "Gwabi Gwabi" is the one that is most widely used probably because it is the one that Arlo Guthrie, who popularized this song, used.
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FEATURED VIDEOS
Example #1: Arlo Guthrie /Guabi Guabi
Tour of 1978 with Shenandoah. This tour was recorded live. Guabi Guabi didn't make it on the "One Night CD" However this song (not the story) is on his CD titled, "Amigo."
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Editorial Comment:
Some commenters on this video's viewer comment thread excused Arlo Guthrie's made up story about this song with statements that such as "This is just what Arlo Guthrie does; He is known for telling inaccurate stories".
However, it seems to me that the fact that Black Africans and Black people of African descent have been negatively stereotyped and dehumanized so often and to such a large extent, and the fact that traditional Black African songs are so scarcely known outside of Africa that it should behoove a singer of goodwill to be careful not to use negative, racist stereotypes, not to poke fun at, and not to demean Black Africans while introducing or while singing an African folk song. My conclusion is that Arlo Guthrie's stories about this song is that they are indeed racist and I'm thankful that some commenters called him to question about the erroneous and in my opinion racist stories he made up about this song.
Here are a few selected comments from this video's viewer comment thread http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXnn9ihSqes
devojane, 2010
"- Not racism, just ignorance. Arlo didn't know, nobody told him, so he made up a funny story. Piranhas are from South America anyway"
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andries. Colin van niekerk, 2011
"Sorry but your comment about Guabi Guabi are not quite right yes it is a tease song to his friend that he has a girlfriend and that she is with him in the camp could be a prison/police camp not jail and that he is going to buy her buns/sweets/and bananas...."
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Reply
Mduduzi Michael Ncube, 2011
"The song was done in Zimbabwean Ndebele closely related to Zulu. Your translation is very proper.The camp in this sense refers to a Compound(inkomponi)"
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“Very proper” here probably means “quite correct”.
This African folksong is about a young man who wants to bring sweets, buns, bananas to his sweetheart. There is a loose translation below. Arlo Guthrie sings, "Guabi Guabi" on his ninth album released in 1976, "Amigo". I hope you enjoy! The song is about someone who teases his girlfriend by holding something behind his back and saying, "Guess what I've got." It's an interesting mix of Zulu and French expressions, and this English transliteration and translation is from Andrew Tracy of the African Music Society thanks to the guitar tutorials of Happy Traum (who put out a book with the tablature for Guabi Guabi): "Guabi, Guabi, guzwangle notamb yami, (Hear, Guabi, Guabi, I have a girlfriend) Ihlale nkamben', shu'ngyamtanda (She lives at Nkamben, sure I love her) Ngizamtenge la mabanzi, iziwichi le banana." (I will buy her buns, sweets, and bananas.)
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This "video" is a high quality slide show with a sound file of Arlo Guthrie singing this song. The publisher mistakenly gives the language as Zulu instead of Ndebele.
On a viewer comment thread of another video of "Gwabi Gwabi" (The song title is given as "Guabi Guabi") in which this song is performed by another artist, a commenter shared this information:
"Zulu & Zimbabwean Ndebele are closely related as both nations came from Zulu Kingdom.However give credit to the proper Nation. It was done by George Sibanda Of Zimbabwe . the song is in Ndebele & not Zulu"
-08736409, October 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0mo9tAxrLI
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Example #3: Arlo Guthrie - Guabi Guabi - Guthrie Center - Oct 7, 2012
moonchilddave, Published on Oct 8, 2012
-snip-
This video begins with Arlo Guthrie sharing a story about how he was introduced to eleven Africans who he helped perform at a "hootenanny" in which Guthrie was performing. Guthrie sung "Guabi Guabi" that evening, and he said that the Africans enjoyed the performance and one of them said to Guthrie "You could make a living singing songs like that".
The song "Guabi Guabi" begins at 3:56.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to George Sibanda for introducing the song "Gwabi Gwabi" to the world and thanks to Arlo Guthrie for popularizing this song, even though in my opinion his early stories about it were very problematic.
Thanks to all those who are featured on this post, including the commenters who I have quoted and the authors of online post about this song. Thanks to the producers of these videos and to their YouTube publishers.
