Mangisondele Nkosi Yam - Shenandoah Christian Music Camp

13,760 views • Oct 23, 2023

Description

"Mangisondele Nkosi Yam", traditional isiZulu, arr. Michael Barrett. Sung at the 16th Annual Choral Festival 2023 of Shenandoah Christian Music Camp (VA). Conducted by Ivan Godoy.
https://www.musiccamp.info/

Translation:
Be nearer (to me), my Lord;
Even when I suffer, Lord,
And when in pain,
I am (still) happy.
Let me be near to you, my Lord.

Even if bad things happen, Lord,
If suffering occurs, Lord,
In my dreams
I will always believe, so
Let me be near to you, my Lord. Amen!

The Historic Faith · Hymn Companion

Mangisondele Nkosi Yam

Words by Traditional isiZuluMusic by Traditional isiZulu

Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
still all my song shall be,
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
darkness be over me, my rest a stone;
yet in my dreams I'd be
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

There let the way appear, steps unto heaven;
all that thou sendest me, in mercy given;
angels to beckon me
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

Then, with my waking thoughts bright with thy praise,
out of my stony griefs Bethel I'll raise;
so by my woes to be
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

Or if, on joyful wing cleaving the sky,
sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I fly,
still all my song shall be,
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

Read the full lyrics on hymnary.org

Story Behind the Song

“Mangisondele Nkosi Yam” is a traditional isiZulu Christian song whose title means “Let me come nearer, my Lord” or “Draw me nearer, my Lord.” It is commonly presented in choral settings as a prayer for nearness to God amid suffering and adversity. Modern performances often use concert-choir arrangements, including an arrangement by South African choral musician Michael Barrett.

Scripture