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13 Jul 08 - 07:28 PM (#2388059) Subject: Origins: 'I am Happy' / 'Ke Mo Boitumelong' From: GUEST,Guest I'm researching the origins of a folk song from Botswana called "Ke Mo Boitumelong" or "I am Happy". The English lyrics are: I am happy. (x2) Because of Jesus Christ. I am happy. He has taken them all - Taken all my sins. Now I am happy. Here's a link to the song on iTunes: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=215128202&id=215128183&s=143441 All of the information I have about the song is from a Folkways Records album called Traditional Music of Botswana, Africa recorded and Annotated by Elizabeth Nelbach Wood. It's from 1983. She indicates that it is a hymn set to a traditional tune. Does anybody know anything else about this song? How old is it? Is it a missionary creation? Does it date back to the time when Botwana was Bechuanaland? Has it ever been published anywhere else? I'd appreciate any insights you all have... |