A variation on Kuku, a Malinke rhythm traditionally for the women while they return from the fishing harvest. It’s use has expanded to various celebrations throughout West Africa. The Ruyankole people and language live in present day Southwestern Uganda. The rhythms and instruments used are from the region about 3,000 to the West. We don’t have access to the Runyankole drums so with respect we use ballet style West African drums and rhythms.
We learned this song from a group that we can no longer get in contact with, Kampala Ministry in Kampala, Uganda. Their website (came down a few years ago, we lost contact afterward) had lyrics, translations, and streaming .mp3s of the songs. We are grateful for that project. Ours is largely inspired by their resource. We hope that you will pray for Uganda - specifically the Runyankole - who are still suffering after effects of colonialism.
This song is declaring that Jesus heals even today. It’s not just a story about miracles from 2,000 years ago. Jesus continues to heal in all sorts of ways. The repetitive nature of the song can make it good for singing while working together or in a group worship setting. Usually the response is the whole phrase “Iza O’leebe, natamba Yesu natanbira bona. Iza O’leebe, natamba” but we shortened it to make it easier for beginners to sing. The call should be sung by a strong vocalist.
lyrics
Natamba
A variation on Kuku, a Malinke rhythm traditionally for the women while they return from the fishing harvest. It’s use has expanded to various celebrations throughout West Africa. The Ruyankole people and language live in present day Southwestern Uganda. The rhythms and instruments used are from the region about 3,000 to the West. We don’t have access to the Runyankole drums so with respect we use ballet style West African drums and rhythms.
We learned this song from a group that we can no longer get in contact with, Kampala Ministry in Kampala, Uganda. Their website (came down a few years ago, we lost contact afterward) had lyrics, translations, and streaming .mp3s of the songs. We are grateful for that project. Ours is largely inspired by their resource. We hope that you will pray for Uganda - specifically the Runyankole - who are still suffering after effects of colonialism.
This song is declaring that Jesus heals even today. It’s not just a story about miracles from 2,000 years ago. Jesus continues to heal in all sorts of ways. The repetitive nature of the song can make it good for singing while working together or in a group worship setting. Usually the response is the whole phrase “Iza O’leebe, natamba Yesu natanbira bona. Iza O’leebe, natamba” but we shortened it to make it easier for beginners to sing. The call should be sung by a strong vocalist.
Natamba, natamba (call) -- He heals, He heals
Izya O’leebe, natamba (response)
Yesu natanbira bona (call)
Izya O’leebe, natamba (response) -- Come and see, He heals, Jesus heals all
Here are the different “calls”
Abasigazi nabatamba -- He heals even the young
Abakaikuru nabataba -- He heals even the old
Ne sirimu akagitamba -- He heals even those sick with HIV or AIDS
Abalwaire nabatamba -- He heals even the sick
Circle of Hope Audio ArtPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Circle of Hope Audio Art is a mission team of Circle of Hope church in the Philadelphia and the metro area. We are working
out a missional process of recording and distributing worship music as a tool for training and edification. We are celebrating all the creativity around us and are responding to a felt need for new worship material that is creative, theologically sound, and not commercial....more
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