voicing: SATB div. | catalog number: SBMP 914 | duration: 3:30 | price: $2.20
accompaniment: percussion
INSTRUMENT PART: percussion part - FREE Download

This arrangement of Babethandaza adds into its musical fabric one of the most beloved songs from South Africa, Siyahamba. The message of both texts is one of persevering through times of trial. They are a unique pairing in that Babethandaza is a song about gaining strength from our ancestors, while Siyahamba is a song about how divinity helps us move forward. By combining these two texts, this arrangement becomes a song about how the past empowers us, and the present inspires us to move into the future bravely.

Special thanks to Ysaye Barnwell of Sweet Honey in the Rock for the verses in Babethandaza. The words in Babethandaza represent both older and newer versions of the Zulu language; they are not normally found together in the same setting. Ms. Barnwell's own transcription of the piece, in her ground-breaking publication Singing in the African American Tradition, was the first time these two versions have been brought together.


performance by: the Choral Project, Daniel Hughes, conductor [© all rights reserved]

CLICK HERE: See and Hear the Complete Score or download a perusal copy: HERE

CLICK HERE: Read the Text or Poem

Translation

Sin nje ngemi thandazo
We are like this because of prayer

O mama bagudala, Babethandaza.
O our ancestors, they were praying

Siyahamb’ ekukanyen' kwenkos’,
We are marching in the light of God.

Siyahamba, hamba,
We are marching, marching,

Siyahamb’ ekukanyen’ kwenkos’.
We are marching in the light of God.

CLICK HERE: Choral Tracks (Practice made simple)

Babethandaza choral track bundle contains a part dominant track for each voice part, a balanced voices track, and an accompaniment track if the work is not a cappella (the accompaniment is also included with the part dominant and balanced voices track). Get more information and listen to samples HERE. Please note that the choral score is not included in the bundle and needs to be ordered separately.

Price: $49.99 (Each bundle is licensed to be used by up to 50 users)
Please adjust the quantity accordingly if you have more than 50 users.

This score is available in Printed or ePrint format at checkout (More Information)

Reviews | submit review

Featured on the following reading sessions
2023 | Eastern - Massachusetts MEA All State Conference High School Choral Reading Session Reading Session
2020 | ACDA Western - March 4-8
2017 | Delaware ACDA - June 18
2016 | Missouri CDA Conference in Jefferson City, MO - July 20-23
2013 | NCDA Summer Conf Read Session
2012 | CA ACDA Reading Session
2011 | WA ACDA Summer Reading Session
2011 | NJ ACDA Reading Session