This song is the theme for the 2005 computer game Civilization IV. American composer Christopher Tin took the Swahili Lord’s Prayer and set it to his own tune and orchestration. Baba Yetu means ‘Our Father’. The song was officially released in 2010 and won the Grammy for Best Instrumental Arrangements with Accompanying Vocalists, the first piece of video game music to do so.
Sung variously by Stanford Talisman, Angel City Chrorale and Prime Vocal Ensemble, the Soweto Gospel Choir sang it on Tin’s Grammy-winning debut album ‘Calling All Dawns’. This is the version I have linked. The video is tacky, but it’s the music that counts.
Lyrics:
Baba yetu, yetu uliye
Mbinguni yetu, yetu amina!
Baba yetu yetu uliye
M jina lako e litukuzwe.
Utupe leo chakula chetu
Tunachohitaji, utusamehe
Makosa yetu, hey!
Kama nasi tunavyowasamehe
Waliotukosea usitutie
Katika majaribu, lakini
Utuokoe, na yule, muovu e milele!
Ufalme wako ufike utakalo
Lifanyike duniani kama mbinguni.
(Amina)
From the Parapet 
I only know a handful of other blogs that share other people’s music, but I like the idea. Music plays a big part in my life, as it does for many, so my blog will reflect that. A regular, formal post, will be ready early next week.
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