Blessings of the Swazi (Nkulunkulu Mnikati wetibusiso temaSwati - Swaziland)

December 3, 2011 1:54 AM

Next from Anthemic comes a much more abstract interpretation of a much more obscure anthem, from a country many more people are prone to forget exists. It's also, probably, my personal favourite track of the whole album. I'd like to think it very deftly stomps through the full spectrum of brilliance and stupidity, at any and all times.

This, along with the Fijian anthem (later to come), was recorded at the beginning of the night, before we actively decided it was going to become a night/album of national anthems. I'm still not sure why Tommy has a book of national anthems--I think he was studying them for his final research project, in his music composition degree. The original melody appears after the recitation of the lyrics, as well.

My lyrical contribution was what could have been my own version of the Swazi anthem, had I been asked to write it (probably a good thing it never happened that way, though medal ceremonies and sporting events would be a LOT shorter).

About the anthem:

National Anthem of Swaziland.
Adopted after independence in 1968.

ANTHEM LYRICS:

O Lord our God, bestower of the blessings of the Swazi;
We give Thee thanks for all our good fortune;
We offer thanks and praise for our King,
And our fair land--its hills, its rivers.
Thy blessing be on all rulers of our Country;
Might and power are thine alone.
We pray Thee to grant us wisdom without deceit or malice.
Establish and fortify us, Lord Eternal.

INSTRUMENTATION:


Trey Beauregard - Vocals, Organ
Timbill Corder - 3-String Basitar, Vocals
Tommy Scheurich - Viola, Vocals

Text by Andrease Enoke Fanyana Simelane
Tune by David Kenneth Rycroft

posted by askmeaboutLOOM (1 comment total)

Fun stuff.
posted by threeants at 4:38 PM on December 6, 2011


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