| |
|
| |
| HYMNS FROM AFRICA |
| by Joyce D. Sohl |
 |
“Africa (is) indigenously Christian, primordially Christian; for a Christianity; that was established in Africa not only before the white men came, but before Islam came; for a Christianity that has been continuously in Africa for far longer than it has been in Scotland, and infinitely longer than it has in the United States. African Christians today can assert their right to the whole history of Christianity in Africa, stretching back to the apostolic age. ” Andrew F. Walls “Africa in Christian History: Retrospect and Prospect” in Journal of African Christian Thought June 1998.
African nations have experienced colonial oppression; apartheid and other forms of racism; tribal warfare; dictatorships; revolutions, and hunger, poverty, and disease. Yet it is in Africa that Christianity is growing rapidly today. New hymns out of Africa praise God’s sustaining and freeing love. |
|
| |
Everyone’s rejoicing, everyone is singing,
praises to Chiuta,* alleluya.
Chiuta our maker is the world’s creator.
For Chiuta drums beat, alleluya.
Chiuta sent Yesu, chains and fetters breaking,
blessed freedom giving, alleluya.
Peace with justice making is the kind of loving
called for by Chiuta, alleluya.
Come, Chiuta’s people, come, we are together,
one in Yesu, singing alleluya. |
|
adapt., Tom Colvin, from a hymn by H.M. Tweya
© 1997 Hope Publishing Co., Carol Stream, IL
* Chiuta (chee-oó-ta) is one name for God in Malawi |
|
A common theme is African peoples and nations helping each other, even in the midst of their own suffering. |
|
| |
Take fire, from this gathering (repeat)
Glow now, in the Spirit; (repeat)
Stand firm, be not fearful; (repeat)
Take power, power of Jesus; (repeat)
Refrain: Go and lead all the people, everyone of Africa; (repeat) |
|
Xitswa rally song, Mozambique
English trans., William F. Anderson
© 2000 General Board of Global Ministries, GBGMusik, 475 Riverside Dr., NY, NY |
|
War, devastation, and displacement do not destroy the faith of the people. Their faith is strong, sustained by the Holy Spirit. |
|
| |
Weep no more, dry your tears;
to the hills of hope raise your eyes and find new strength.
When you put your trust in Christ alone,
you will find that suffering will cease at last! |
|
Abraham Arpellet, Côte d’Ivoire
© 1999 Abraham Arpellet.
Eng. trans. © 2004 General Board of Global Ministries, GBGMusik |
|
| |
Come to teach us, come to nourish those who believe in Christ.
Bless the faithful, may they flourish, strengthened by grace unpriced.
Refrain: Come, come, come, Holy Spirit, come.
Guide our thinking and our speaking done in your holy name.
Motivate all in their seeking, freeing from guilt and shame.
Not mere knowledge, but discernment, nor rootless liberty;
turn disquiet to contentment, doubt into certainty.
|
|
Wilson Niwagila, Tanzania
Eng.Trans., Howard S. Olson
Eng. Trans. © Lutheran Theological College Makumira, Tanzania |
|
| Download printable version: .PDF or .DOC |
|
|
|
