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It’s My Turn, Let Me Sing
After recording sixteen Gospel songs that I heard sang in my native Kikamba language, I realized that, if it were not for my mother, I would never have had the courage to open my mouth and sing. Two teachers in my elementary school had quenched any singing desires that I ever had.
My plan, as I left Cunningham Audio Production, Boise, Idaho, was not to drive in tears. I wanted to listen to the songs. Don Cunningham, the production director, and I had spent three hours in the studio, recording, listening, editing, re-recording and listening again. It was a labor of love, patient and foresightedness that was not Don’s or mine. This recording was for my mother. I couldn’t stop the tears as I thought that it was only my mother who seemed to understand the impact songs had in me.
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When my mother was not telling me folktales she sang cultural songs, Kamba lullaby songs and inspirational songs of her faith. Now looking back, it was the power in the singing and the message contained in those songs that brought hope and rekindled faith of a better tomorrow in otherwise improvised living conditions.
Songs like, “Nau Yuyu Nikwitia Kisomo” meaning “Father Now I Need an Education” depicted the importance of modern education, given that tribal wars were no longer the source of cattle. Modern warrior was not the man with bows and arrows skills but the one with an education. Marriage songs, children/parent relationship songs still evoke deep emotions as I sing them today. I had learned to appreciate songs when I joined Kangundo primary school.
At Kangundo primary school, we sang Christian songs and prayed every morning at assembly.
But for me, my singing dreams started to come to an end in 1967, my second year of school. During the last day of school, each grade would perform a song, a poem or a play for the rest of the school. My class sang the first song and sat down. Soon after, one of the students came and told me that our teacher, Mr. Mwanza, had requested me to stay seated the other pupils stood up to sing the next song. When all my classmates stood up to sing the next song, a student from another class saw me seated and asked, “I thought you were in second grade. Why aren’t you singing with the others?” My response was, “I don’t know.” It’s about forty years since this incident and I it still hurts even though Mr. Mwanza is among one of best teachers who ever taught me.
In 1970, there was a school choir, which was among the best in the country. Being in the school choir was a privilege because you were given a free uniform and had the opportunity to travel to different parts of the country and possibly meet the president. If you went to sing for the president of the country you had the opportunity to eat good food. Food is not something everybody had on a daily basis. To be a member of the choir was a privilege. I tried to join the choir.
During the choir try-outs, Mr. Kiiti, the choirmaster, would and listen to the individual members singing. When he arrived where I was, he hit my chin with the back of his hand. I was out of the choir. As I was leaving, I remember a friend of mine saying, “Muli, you are tuneless?”
While I disliked singing, I still couldn’t quit being moved by songs. I could stop and for a long time listen to the African Inland Church Choir-Kalimani sing on my way to the shopping center. Somehow the songs just stayed with me. I remember attending a funeral where I heard the Tala Catholic Choir sing, “Nituseng’aa Yila Twatatwa”—Tempted and Tried—a song that could never leave me until I learned it.
This is when my mother had me join the newly formed Kangundo Catholic choir—making me one of the first two male members of that choir. Our choir director was John Musembi Kithuva—who seemed to encourage anyone who could talk just to make a joyful noise.
It’s my turn, let me sing. Now the Gospel songs, as I heard them sang in my youth are recorded and dedicated to my mother, the only person who knew the impact of songs in my life.
1. Metho Makwa Nimamwonie Mutangiii Yesu (2:28)
(Mine Eyes Have Seen the Coming of the Lord)
2. Yesu Niwambendie (1:49)
(Amazing Grace)
3. Yesu Nimunyanya Wakwa (1:45)
(What A Friend We Have in Jesus)
4. Atumia na Iveti, Ukai Twinie Mwiaii (2:07)
(Men, Women, Come Let Us Sing for the Lord)
5. Ve Usi Wa Nthakame Yu (2:24)
(There is a Fountain)
6. Twavanyai Kuu Kwonthe (3:13)
(The Comforter Has Come)
7. Aiva Muiiti Ula (1:12)
(The Great Physician)
8. Ivinda Ya Tene Syana Syatwaiwe Yesu (1:14)
(When Children Were Taken To Jesus)
9. Tukakomania Na Yesu Yayani (2:24)
(We Will Meet With Jesus)
10. Yila Soo Wa Ngai Wivuvwa) (2:35)
(When the Trumpet of the Lord)
11. Nituseng’aa Yila Twatatwa (3:39)
(Further Along)
12. Koma Mwendwa (2:22)
(Sleep On, Beloved)
13. Tukikala Nthi Ino Tumanye (1:19)
(As We Live In This World)
14. Ikuyu, Yamelilye Yona (1:15)
(A Whale Swallowed Jonah)
15. Ngamutwa Atei Ma Andu (1:01)
(Will Make You Fishers of Men)
16. Bwana U Sehemu Yangu (1:48)
(Close to Thee—in Swahili)
17. Mboya Ya Mwiai (0:33)
(The Lord's Prayer)
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