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Spoken version
A recorded reading of “Ithemba (Faith)”. If the player does not load, use the original audio source.
Ohhh… ithemba lami, (Ohhh… my faith,) Bambelela ezulwini! (Hold on to heaven!) I know You walk beside me, Ngiyazi, unami… (I know You are with me…) Through the storm and through the fire, Ngiyohlala ngik’themba. (I will always trust You.) Bambelela! (Hold on!) Sikhanyisele! (Shine on us!) Ngoba unguNkulunkulu, (Because You are God,) Ungiphethe! (You carry me!) Ohhh ithemba lami, Lingihola endleleni! (It leads me on the path!) Ohhh amandla akho, Awangishiyi, angiqinisa! (It never leaves me, it strengthens me!) I won’t be shaken, I won’t fall, Ngoba wena unami. (Because You are with me.) When I call, You hear my voice, Ngiyaz’ angilahliwe! (I know I am not forsaken!) Sithi bambelela! (We say hold on!) Ngoba uyangiphethe! (Because You carry me!) Ngithi bambelela! (I say hold on!) Ngoba uyangigcina! (Because You keep me!) Ohhh… ithemba lami… (Ohhh… my faith…) Bambelela ezulwini… (Hold on to heaven…)
Alternative version
Ohhh… ithemba lami, (Ohhh… my faith,) Bambelela ezulwini! (Hold on to heaven!) Ngiyazi, unami, (I know He is with me,) Ngihamba ngothando lwakhe. (I walk with His love.) Amanzi angangigcwalisa, (The waters may try to drown me,) Kodw’ angizukwesaba! (But I will not be afraid!) Ngithandaza nsuku zonke, (I pray every day,) Izinyembezi zami ziyawa. (My tears fall.) Uyangizwa, uyangiqonda, (He hears me, He understands me,) Ngiyamlandela, angilahli. (I follow Him, He does not forsake me.) Bambelela! (Hold on!) Sikhanyisele! (Shine on us!) Siphethe uThixo lapha! (We carry God here!) Ohhh ithemba lami, (Ohhh, my faith,) Lingihola endleleni! (It leads me on the path!) Ohhh amandla akhe, (Ohhh, His power,) Awangishiyi, angiqinisa! (He does not leave me, He strengthens me!) Angikhathali, angibuyi emuva, (I do not grow weary, I do not turn back,) Ngibambe izwi lami ngokuqina. (I hold onto my word with strength.) Isandla sakhe siphakamisa, (His hand lifts me up,) Izitha zami ziyaphela. (My enemies fade away.) Ngizohamba, angizukwesaba, (I will walk, I will not fear,) Ukukhanya kwami kuyakhanya! (My light shines brightly!) Ngohlala, ngithandaze, (I will stay, I will pray,) Kuze kube phakade! (Until forever!) Sithi bambelela! (We say hold on!) Ngoba uyangiphethe! (Because He carries me!) Ngithi bambelela! (I say hold on!) Ngoba uyangigcina! (Because He keeps me!) Ohhh… ithemba lami… (Ohhh… my faith…) Bambelela ezulwini… (Hold on to heaven…)
Instructional lyrics
[Intro: Organ Swell, Log Drum Pulse, Joyful Harmonies] [Grand church organ swells, rhythmic claps build, deep log drum pulses underneath] Ohhh… ithemba lami, Bambelela ezulwini! (Hold on to heaven!) [Choir harmonies join, hands clap rhythmically, energy steadily builds] [Verse 1: Spirit-Filled & Joyful, Call-and-Response] I know You walk beside me, Ngiyazi, unami… (I know You are with me…) Through the storm and through the fire, Ngiyohlala ngik’themba. (I will always trust You.) [Bassline deepens, handclaps intensify, harmonies rise] [Pre-Chorus: Swelling Harmonies, Uplifting Call & Response] [Call] Bambelela! — [Response] Hold on! [Call] Sikhanyisele! — [Response] Shine on us! [Call] Ngoba unguNkulunkulu, — [Response] Because You are God, [Call] Ungiphethe! — [Response] You carry me! [Percussion kicks in fully, organ flourishes, log drum grooves harder] [Chorus: Explosive Harmonies, Full Praise Groove] Ohhh ithemba lami, Lingihola endleleni! (It leads me on the path!) Ohhh amandla akho, Awangishiyi, angiqinisa! (It never leaves me, it strengthens me!) [Choir harmonies swell, call-and-response vocals intensify] [Verse 2: Even Stronger Faith, Driving Groove] I won’t be shaken, I won’t fall, Ngoba wena unami. (Because You are with me.) When I call, You hear my voice, Ngiyaz’ angilahliwe! (I know I am not forsaken!) [Choir harmonies layer in richly, instrumental swells in intensity] [Bridge: Deep Log Drum, Powerful Choral Stacks, Emotional Praise Moment] [Percussion strips back momentarily, only vocals and deep bass remain, building anticipation] [Call] Sithi bambelela! — [Response] We say hold on! [Call] Ngoba uyangiphethe! — [Response] Because You carry me! [Call] Ngithi bambelela! — [Response] I say hold on! [Call] Ngoba uyangigcina! — [Response] Because You keep me! [Final chorus erupts in joyful praise, harmonies soaring over the beat] [Outro: Harmonic Fade, Organ Chords Sustain, Soft Echoes of Choir] Ohhh… ithemba lami… Bambelela ezulwini… [Final vocal echoes trail off, percussion fades into soft claps, organ plays last lingering note]
Song info
Churchy amapiano x gospel, soaring harmonies, rolling log drum, uplifting organ swells, high-energy call & response, percussive praise groove, powerful chants, spiritual energy, divine hope.
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