Thu’ (2011)

high voices in four parts (choir or solo voices)

This composition is an arrangement of two isiZulu lullabies that have been very important to me in a variety of contexts for most of my adult life. Both melodies were also arranged for piano, and I used the melodies and the arrangement often in my teaching.

  1. Thula Sthandwa (c. 3’20)
  2. Thula Thu’ (indefinite duration because of undefined number of repeats, at least one minute)

Total duration at least c. 4’30” (Indefinite because of unspecified repetition)

Thula Sthandwa

Thula, sthandwa sam

Thula, sthandwa sami
Thula, sthandwa senhliziyoyami

Uyise limpela bo ngoba umebile
Lowo engimthandayo
Mgenhliziyo yami

Hush, my beloved sweetheart!
Death, you are a thief for stealing
the one I love with all my heart!

Thula Thu

Thula thu’ thula mntwana,
thula sana.
Thul’ umam’ uzofika ekuseni.

Khukh ‘inkanyezi eholol’ ubaba,
Imkhanyisel’ indleziy’ ekhaya.

Hush hush my child, hush my dearest.
Quiet now, your mother will be here
in the morning.

There is a light drawing you,
Showing you the way home.