Happy Friday folks. Today I turned in my application to continue studying Swahili in Tanzania this summer. I am wildly excited about the chance to return to East Africa - thrilled in a way that makes me feel tingly all over. It feels like falling in love. In honor of this exciting (and financially stressful...) moment in life, I'd like to offer the following song, which, in my opinion anyway, is a beautiful rendition of the Tanzanian national anthem. The video that I'm posting of the song is just a guy, Lukazi Sambatree, and his acoustic guitar. If you go to Lukazi's website, www.sambatree.com, you can listen to the (much better) recorded version of the song. I would also highly recommend listening to the other song he has posted on his website, called "Blessing and a Curse." It has a really cool sound and is pretty catchy - and it's in English. (There are some background vocals on "Blessing and a Curse" that are in Swahili - "Sikiliza moyo yako" - "Listen to your heart.") So, head to the website!!!
Anyway, I've been listening to this version of the Tanzanian anthem non-stop for about a week and I haven't gotten tired of it yet. It's a beautiful song to begin with, and his guitar arrangement is lovely.
Below are the lyrics to the Tanzanian national anthem (and English translation). Enjoy.
Mungu ibariki Afrika
Wabariki viongozi wake
Hekima, umoja na amani
Hizi ni ngao zetu
Afrika na watu wake
Ibariki Afrika
Ibariki Afrika
Tubariki watoto wa Afrika
Watoto wa Afrika
Mungu ibariki Tanzania
Dumisha uhuru na umoja
Wake na waume na watoto
Mungu ibariki Tanzania na watu wake
Ibariki Tanzania
Ibariki Tanzania
Tubariki watoto wa Tanzania
Watoto wa Tanzania
God bless Africa
Bless her leaders
Wisdom, unity and peace
Are our shield
Africa and her people
Bless Africa
Bless Africa
Bless us, the children of Africa
The children of Africa
God bless Tanzania
Grant us freedom and unity
Women, men and children
God bless Tanzania and her people
Bless Tanzania
Bless Tanzania
Bless us, the children of Tanzania
The children of Tanzania
Mungu mbariki, rafiki zangu (God bless you, my friends).
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