Geschrieben am 1. September 2020 von für Crimemag, CrimeMag September 2020

#covid-19: A Gospel Hit from South Africa

Jerusalema – Yearning for Home, Yearning for Africa

One of the surprising outcomes of Covid-19 has been the viral sensation of the gospel hit Jerusalema written by Master KG and sung by Nomcebo Zikode, both South Africans. – From Sandra Baker.

The four-minute 14-second song was initially uploaded eight months ago, on 12 December 2019, and has spread like contagion with over 107 million views, four times the number of Covid-19 infections (30 August 2020). Unsurprisingly, the song featured in the top four South African songs for 2019. But it was the dance which originated in Angola that saw the song become the viral the sensation that it is, today. The origin of the song and the timing is pure synchronicity. Master KG wrote the lyrics and music in the latter part of 2019, never dreaming that it would take off the way it did. But of course, it is the warm tonality of Nomcebo Zikode, who sings the lyrics giving them a plaintive longing and yearning that combines southern and northern African accents, capturing the 2020 zeitgeist.

The fusion of the plaintive opening gospel vocals of Jerusalema, I khaya lami (Jerusalem, my home) with the upbeat quintessential South African township kwaito-like beats, have inspired many to take up the dance challenge to show their appreciation for the song and how it resonates within. 

Witten in Africa, some say the cradle of humankind, Jerusalema has become the backtrack to COVID 19. It strikes a chord (pun intended) in us as we are all looking and longing for something comforting, a form of solace that will help us through these difficult times: possibly even a desire to return to an Africa and a world that no longer exist. And in this intense longing, we would like someone to guard us, to walk with us as Nomcebo Zikode sings in Zulu. Although we are confined to our homes, a supposed place of comfort, we don’t feel safe, especially in South Africa, with its high rates of gender-based violence and child abuse, and high levels of crime. Even those who do feel safe in their homes have an intense longing for a time when we did and will not feel so fragmented and scared as we face the faceless, microscopic and potentially deadly enemy. An enemy that has shaken us to our very foundations and knocked our pride and arrogance.

Lots of us are searching for meaning during these times and have turned to religion, either formal or more esoteric. And part of the strength of Jerusalema’s appeal is that it is a gospel song, which has seen, amongst others, monks and nuns (or at least people dressed like them) rising to the viral challenge. In southern Africa, like much of the world, religion can play an essential part in people’s lives, so it is not surprising that a gospel song can resonate with so many people. 

Perhaps this resonance is Jerusalema ‘s appeal: the reason why we, worldwide, are singing along and dancing to it, as we feel increasingly untethered in a rapidly changing world, looking for someone to guard us, to stay with us and offer us comfort and succour as the refrain goes. Some will look for their ‘Jerusalem’ or support spiritually, and others will try to turn to some form of chemical solutions, be it alcohol, herbal or tobacco. Whichever solution is sought, Jerusalema reminds us of our frailty and needs, especially our need to belong somewhere. And that is why the response to it is a celebration of life by people from all walks of life, no matter how tired, poor, rich, healthy, unhealthy, spiritual or hedonistic. They all dance, sing and come together, maintaining social distancing and rising to the challenge presented during these difficult times: creating a sense of belonging through the music – creating their own ‘Jerusalem’, their place of belonging.

And perhaps that is what we all need to do: come together, socially distanced, and rise to the challenges presented by COVID-19 and retain our humanity. And try to make the world a better place where we all belong, together, looking out for each other.

Sandra Baker

See also in this issue: Eating our heritage in times of prohibition.

Here is a translation of the lyrics.

Jerusalema I khaya lami (Jerusalem is my home)

Ngilondoloze (Guard me)
Uhambe nami (Walk with me)
Zungangishiyi lana (Do not leave me here)
Jerusalema ikhaya lami (Jerusalem is my home)
Ngilondoloze (Guard me)
Uhambe nami (Walk with me)
Zungangishiyi lana (Do not leave me here)

Ndawo yami ayikho lana (My place is not here)
Mbuso wami awukho lana (My kingdom is not here)
Ngilondoloze (Guard me)
Zuhambe nami (Walk with me)
Ndawo yami ayikho lana (My place is not here)
Mbuso wami awukho lana (My kingdom is not here)
Ngilondoloze (Guard me)
Zuhambe nami (Walk with me)

Ngilondoloze (Guard me)
Ngilondoloze (Guard me)
Ngilondoloze (Guard me)
Zungangishiyi lana (Do not leave me here)
Ngilondoloze (Guard me)
Ngilondoloze (Guard me)
Ngilondoloze (Guard me)
Zungangishiyi lana (Do not leave me here)

Ndawo yami ayikho lana (My place is not here)
Mbuso wami awukho lana (My kingdom is not here)
Ngilondoloze (Guard me)
Zuhambe nam i(Walk with me)
Ndawo yami ayikho lana (My place is not here)
Mbuso wami awukho lana (My kingdom is not here)
Ngilondoloze (Guard me)
Zuhambe nami (Walk with me)

Jerusalema ikhaya lami (Jerusalem is my home)
Ngilondoloze (Guard me)
Uhambe nami (Walk with me)
Zungangishiyi lana (Do not leave me here)
Jerusalema ikhaya lami (Jerusalem is my home)
Ngilondoloze (Guard me)
Uhambe nami (Walk with me)
Zungangishiyi lana (Do not leave me here)

Ndawo yami ayikho lana (My place is not here)
Mbuso wami awukho lana (My kingdom is not here)
Ngilondoloze (Guard me)
Zuhambe nami (Walk with me)
Ndawo yami ayikho lana (My place is not here)
Mbuso wami awukho lana (My kingdom is not here)
Ngilondoloze (Guard me)
Zuhambe nami (Walk with me)

Ngilondoloze (Guard me)
Ngilondoloze (Guard me)
Ngilondoloze (Guard me)
Zungangishiyi lana (Do not leave me here)
Ngilondoloze (Guard me)
Ngilondoloze (Guard me)
Ngilondoloze (Guard me)
Zungangishiyi lana (Do not leave me here)

Jerusalema ikhaya lami (Jerusalem is my home)
Ngilondoloze (Guard me)
Uhambe nami (Walk with me)
Zungangishiyi lana (Do not leave me here)
Jerusalema ikhaya lami (Jerusalem is my home)
Ngilondoloze (Guard me)
Uhambe nami (Walk with me)
Zungangishiyi lana (Do not leave me here)

Translation courtesy of  https://afrikalyrics.com/master-kg-jerusalema-translation

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