I do not think there are many things that are as powerful and as moving as massed voices. I came across these young men when searching for music from The Mississippi Mass Choir. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. The first part is showing the parts of the song, the second is the entire Choir singing, the change in energy and power that is felt is overwhelming! You cannot help but smile. I hope you feel recharged and energized as I did. Heather, consider this an early Happy Birthday from the Homeland. Enjoy.
Shosholoza is a traditional Southern African folk song. The song was traditionally sung by all-male work gangs in a call and response style.
The song has been recorded by a variety of artists, including Helmut Lotti, Ladysmith Black Mombazo, PJ Powers, The Glue, Soweto Gospel Choir, and Peter Gabriel, as well as being a standard of most gumboot bands. The song gained further popularity after South Africa won the 1995 Rugby World Cup, and is a favourite at sport events in South Africa.
The Zulu word Shosholoza means go forward or make way for the next man, and is also reminiscent of the sound made by the steam train (stimela) described in the song. The song has also given its name to Team Shosholoza, the first African challenger for the America's Cup, and to Shosholoza Meyl, the long-distance passenger train service operating in South Africa.
The lyrics of the song vary, as do the transcriptions. Here is one example:
- Shosholoza
- Ku lezontaba
- Stimela siphum' eSouth Africa
- Wen' uyabaleka
- Wen' uyabaleka
- Ku lezontaba
- Stimela siphum' eSouth Africa
A rough translation:
- Move fast
- on those mountains
- train from South Africa.
- You are running away
- on those mountains
- train from South Africa.
The original version has the country name Rhodesia instead of South Africa, since this song was sung by migrant labourers from Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) travelling on the train down to the mines in the Transvaal.
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Very energizing and a wonderful gift for Heather -- Happy Birthday Heather (guess it really is today /:-)
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Oh John this is wonderful..one of my favourtie songs from home :) youre a gem!
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*clap clap* bukekayo! beautiful!
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Very uplifting thank you for posting ~ xo
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Comment deleted at the request of the author.
Comment deleted at the request of the author.
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Speaking of that Gator, I do hope you find yourself at our table for Thanksgiving dinner.
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it happens pengie i find myself in far flung places by chance
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lively, fun and colorful, and heart lifting to see young people find some joy in performing. what a great post!
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That was wonderful John, I have always loved African singing like that, just beautiful!
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pengie did you pull a Eugene Henderson on us and cut out to africa for awhile?
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This is fantastic John. I was wondering were you were so it is good to see you here.
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Head swaying to the beat...................love it!
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jumps up and down (which is hard for an old gator)and i feel as good as heather about this..excellent find and i am glad to see the Pax Auquatica all back now...pengie you always come up with the best stuff and miss it when you go off swimming fer fishies :(
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I went off to see Ladysmith Black Mamabazo a few weeks ago with friends. This lot seem slicker.
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What a special birthday gift!!
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Loved it...great post Johnoh. and Happy birthday Heather!
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It is full of energy! Love the music and the back ground!!!!!!
Hope our Heather has a wonderful Birthday... this should lead into it nicely!!!!!
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I like the beat..really cool!
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John
Your friend Linda's boyfriend
Monterey, CA
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I do hope you find yourself at our table for Thanksgiving dinner. 
