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Origins: Senzenina

Linda Kelly 09 Jul 00 - 06:14 PM
Joe Offer 09 Jul 00 - 11:18 PM
Callie 10 Jul 00 - 01:36 AM
Joe Offer 10 Jul 00 - 02:28 AM
Linda Kelly 10 Jul 00 - 11:58 AM
Callie 11 Jul 00 - 08:40 AM
Art Thieme 11 Jul 00 - 11:31 AM
GUEST,Marymac, sans cookie 11 Jul 00 - 11:40 AM
GUEST,Bernice 27 Jul 07 - 04:43 PM
GUEST,Mary K 17 Mar 08 - 12:49 PM
Peace 17 Mar 08 - 02:01 PM
Peace 17 Mar 08 - 02:03 PM
Peace 17 Mar 08 - 02:07 PM
Peace 17 Mar 08 - 02:14 PM
GUEST,Tom Zalla 04 Apr 08 - 10:27 PM
Jim Dixon 06 Apr 08 - 01:46 PM
AllisonA(Animaterra) 06 Apr 08 - 07:52 PM
rich-joy 07 Apr 08 - 09:03 PM
Captain Ginger 08 Apr 08 - 04:02 AM
GUEST 05 Nov 08 - 01:09 AM
GUEST,Julia 09 Jan 09 - 11:09 PM
GUEST,madelyne christie 16 Feb 09 - 12:54 AM
Stringsinger 16 Feb 09 - 05:42 PM
GUEST,guest-kcheyniger 17 May 09 - 12:27 AM
Joe Offer 23 Jun 20 - 02:29 AM
Monique 23 Jun 20 - 02:55 AM
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Subject: Senzenina
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 09 Jul 00 - 06:14 PM

South african funeral song. This is the most powerful song I have ever heard. If anyone can provide the words (not the english translation but the original) I would be most grateful


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Senzenina
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 Jul 00 - 11:18 PM

I hadn't heard it before, Ickle, but it's a nice tune. You can find a MIDI on this page (click). There's a nice (but brief) recording here (click).
-Joe Offer-


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Senzenina
From: Callie
Date: 10 Jul 00 - 01:36 AM

There is a link to the background of the song here:

http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/1095/Solidarity/music.html

This the website of Solidarity Choir (of which I am a proud member!)

If you look closely, you will also see a link to Mudcat!


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Subject: ADD: Senzenina
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 Jul 00 - 02:28 AM

Callie - I hope your friends don't mind if I copy-paste the information.
-Joe Offer-

Senzenina

Words & Music:  Traditional South African

Senzenina is a dignified complaint, an outcry against being forced to suffer merely for having dark skin. Most of us folks in the choir are on the pale side, but feel that when an injury is done to some of our human family, then all sisters and brothers should take up the cry. The process of internalising the experience of others is one that brings us all closer together. It is the essence of solidarity, and when it involves sharing music, then joy and sorrow are communicated in a universal language.

Senzenina!
Senzenina, senzenina (x4)
Wenzenina uMandela?

Wenzenina uMandela (x4)
Sono sethu
Sono sethu bubumnyama (x4)
Wabulele afe wonke
Wabulele afe wonke (x4)
Senzenina!
Senzenina, senzenina (x4)

What have we done? What has Mandela done? Our only crime is being black!


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Senzenina
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 10 Jul 00 - 11:58 AM

Many thanks to all concerned


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Senzenina
From: Callie
Date: 11 Jul 00 - 08:40 AM

If you're looking for a recording of the song, my choir has recorded the song on its first CD. I'm happy to either send you the song on tape (for free!), or you could consider buying the CD (this is not an advert by the way - just letting you know it is available if you want it!)

Callie


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Senzenina
From: Art Thieme
Date: 11 Jul 00 - 11:31 AM

Pete Seeger recorded it -- a long ago concert. Just contained the one word as I recall. "Senzenina" -- over and over. "What have we done." It was before Mandela I do believe.

Art Thieme


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Senzenina
From: GUEST,Marymac, sans cookie
Date: 11 Jul 00 - 11:40 AM

I have a recording of this-can't remember if it's on a cd or cassette. If anyone is interested, i can probably get Max to play it on the radio show-especially if it's on cd. Message me if you want to hear this. Guess that means I'd better reinstall my cookie, huh?

Marymac


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Senzenina
From: GUEST,Bernice
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 04:43 PM

I have been searching for the music and lyrics for the song 'senzenina' from the movie 'in my country' am happy to purchase the sheet music or a copy of your recording.

Please revert to cocci@telkomsa.net

Many thanks.


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Subject: Music Senzenina
From: GUEST,Mary K
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 12:49 PM

Has someone, somewhere got the music for Senzenina? Supply this and gain my eternal gratitude!


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Senzenina
From: Peace
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 02:01 PM

www.ukzn.ac.za/joe/JoEPDFs/joe%2033%20gray.pdf

Scroll to page 12. Some info there.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Senzenina
From: Peace
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 02:03 PM

Senzenina, senzenina?
Sono sethu? Ubumnyama.
Wenzenina uMandela?
Benzenina abansundu?


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Senzenina
From: Peace
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 02:07 PM

'"Not only were songs with more militant lyrics composed from the 1950s onwards, but some old songs also underwent changes to reflect the mood of the people. The song Senzenina? (What have we done?), was heard throughout the liberation struggle in many versions. This is an example of a song that fulfilled the function of asserting cultural unity and assisting in societal integration, and at the same time critiquing key socio-political issues. Translated excerpts of some of the versions of Senzenina read as follows:

What have we done?
Our sin is that we are black.
Oh UDF we love you.
The Boers are dogs
They will die dogs
Farewell our beloved hero
Let Africa return'


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Senzenina
From: Peace
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 02:14 PM

The sheet music is available in a collection at

sheetmusic plus. Runs about $15.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Senzenina
From: GUEST,Tom Zalla
Date: 04 Apr 08 - 10:27 PM

The entire song is on the Power of One movie CD.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Senzenina
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 06 Apr 08 - 01:46 PM

Kieran Halpin also has a song called SENZENINA with English words which I suppose he wrote.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Senzenina
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 06 Apr 08 - 07:52 PM

I sang this song with Turtle Dove Harmony last summer in Ireland- incredibly powerful!


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Senzenina
From: rich-joy
Date: 07 Apr 08 - 09:03 PM

I think this song was included on the Ysaye Barnwell (of Sweet Honey in the Rock) recording and booklet : "Singing in the African American Tradition" - a very excellent production and harmony singing tutor!

Cheers! R-J


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Senzenina
From: Captain Ginger
Date: 08 Apr 08 - 04:02 AM

It's also on the CD that Coope, Boyes & Simpson did with the Flemish choir Wak Mar Proper, "The Christmas Truce", and very haunting it is too. It's available from the No Masters co-op.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Senzenina
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Nov 08 - 01:09 AM

The soundtrack from the movie "The Power of One" has this and many other South African songs. It was made by Hans Zimmer and a talented South African Choir.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Senzenina
From: GUEST,Julia
Date: 09 Jan 09 - 11:09 PM

http://humph.org/lw/concerts/13shakin/music/Senzenina.pdf

This is a link to a Pdf of sheet music for this amazing song. Also in the movie "In my Country" also known as "Country of my skull"

Excellent film. I have a blip of the soundtrack, since it was never published. I procure it straight from the composer. The best version I've heard.


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Senzenina
From: GUEST,madelyne christie
Date: 16 Feb 09 - 12:54 AM

hi,

what does senzenina mean?

its for my home work and what does it mean?

thanks heaps maddy (madelyne) xxx


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Senzenina
From: Stringsinger
Date: 16 Feb 09 - 05:42 PM

As I recall, it was used in South Africa originally as part of a non-violent protest movement.
Pete Seeger did sing it.

The Mandela lyrics come later.

Stringsinger


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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Senzenina
From: GUEST,guest-kcheyniger
Date: 17 May 09 - 12:27 AM

I first heard the haunting "Senzenina" chant at the end of Peter Gabriel's anthemic tribute to anti-apartheid activist Steven Biko in the song titled "Biko". Biko was murdered by police in prison in South Africa in 1977.

Intense song, highly recommend it.

Gabriel powerfully sang the song at many of his concerts, often leaving the crowds chanting "Biko" long after the concert ended, with Gabriel signing off by saying "The song has done its job, now the rest is up to you."

I think that song, especially at the Conspiracy of Hope concerts for Amnesty International in 1986, played a significant part in keeping South African apartheid issues in the popular conscience. And then Mandela was released, and the rest is amazing history...

Great to finally learn more about "Senzenina" in this blog after being moved by the music for years.
Thanks, and thank you Peter Gabriel,


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Subject: RE: Origins: Senzenina
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Jun 20 - 02:29 AM

I got a question today about this song, and I have no idea how to answer it. The person wanted to know what part of the song is Xhosa, and what part is Zulu. Now, I know that Xhosa is the language with the clicks in it, but that's all I know. Can somebody give us deeper information about this wonderful song?
The Wikipedia entry on this song is here (click).

It is such a wonderful song to sing in choral harmony.

-Joe-

Capetown Youth Choir: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fDU1PYWT8A

Hans Zimmer-Power of One Soundtrack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkvW1nNrFro

Interesting version (unidentified-"Country of My Skull" film?): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99bfGyQzdT8

Pete Seeger (1964): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jRAuirpGMA

Kieran Halpin (distantly related, but interesting): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nuVILswFBs


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Subject: RE: Origins: Senzenina
From: Monique
Date: 23 Jun 20 - 02:55 AM

"Although Xhosa and Zulu are similar enough to be considered dialects of one language, Xhosa and Zulu speakers consider them to be separate languages." from Encyclopaedia Britannica


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