Songs We Sing — “Amen Siakudumisa” / “Amen, We Praise Your Name, O God”

Hello, Song Leaders!

“Amen Siakudumisa” is a hymn by Stephen Cuthbert Molefe, a South African composer and choir master.  The original words are in Xhosa, and we sing it in both Xhosa and English.

Xhosa lyrics:
Amen siyakudumisa (masithi)
Amen siyakudumisa (masithi)
Amen, Bawo; Amen Bawo;
Amen siyakudumisa. (masithi)

English lyrics:

Amen, we praise your name, O God. (sing ‘amen’)
Amen, we praise your name, O God. (sing ‘amen’)
Amen, amen
Amen, amen
Amen, we praise your name, O God. (sing ‘amen’)

Here’s a recording so you can learn the melody and get a sense of the tempo at which we’ll sing it.  Amen Siyakudumisa

It’s a great song, and a great way to honor the musical influence and freedom struggle of the South African church.

Sing Amen!