Becoming The Muse

Nyika Yedu by Celscius

I first saw this song on one of the rare occasions I watched the main news bulletin on the state broadcaster, ZBC. The song was aired as part of the line-up of the Anti-Sanctions campaign. The song’s instruments reminded me of the hit Silly Walks Brighter Days Riddim particularly Busy signal’s Dreams of Brighter Days …

Something about the song gave me an almost visceral reaction and I looked up the song and wrote down the lyrics (and translation in brackets) Celscius could easily be a force in the conscious reggae movement even though I have only know the one song, released over a year ago.

Celscius Wayne’s song Nyika Yedu (Our Country) is song a cry, an appeal, a plea…. I felt it in my chest, and as another year begins the question he asks is one I still ask myself
How long will it take for the Zimbabwean situation to start improving?

Nyika Yedu – Lyrics and Translation

(military touch)

Zvinotora nguva yakareba sei?
(how long will it take)
Eeeeeh yaaaaah
Kuti mamiriro eZimbabwe,
(For the situation in Zimbabwe)
Asvika pane chimwe chanhambwe.
(to reach another lev (we’ve come far there’s no denying it)
Tiine tarisiro zvichange,
(with hope that)
Zvichisvika pari nani tifambe,
(we level up as all goes)
Semufambiro wenyika dzevamwe.
(as it goes in other countries)
Asi zvine nharo mufunge,
(but its challenging my friend)
tiri kungo dzikira mufunge.
(we just going down my friend)

Zimbabwe yakakomborerwa, baba.
(Zimbabwe is blessed )
Zvisina kumanikidzira kana kufananidzira.
(not forcing nor supposing)
Ishuwa, hupfumi muvhu hwakatoti wandira.
(its true, wealth in the soil is abundant)

Bridge
Mwari pindirai pindirai pindirai
(God intervene intervene intervene)
Ahhaaaa ahhaaa
Pindirai pindirai pindirai
(Intervene intervene intervene)
iihihi iii
Chorus
Tauya zvedu, Tenzi dai mangoti cheu.
(Here we are, Lord will you look this way)
Tochema nyika yedu, Kwedu zvatinyanyira sei.
(We cry for our country, this is too much for us)
Kana kumabasa kwedu, Tenzi hapana macents.
(Even at our work places, Lord there is no money)
Tochema nyika yedu, Kwedu zvatinyanyira sei.
(We cry for our country, this is too much for us)

Zino irema, kusekerera warisingade.
(The tooth smiles even for whom it doesn’t like)
Asi chema yeziso, haibude usingade.
(But tears wont come out if you don’t want)
Zvinondirwadza mumoyo mangu
(It breaks my heart)
Dai Mwari mangondinzwa chichemo changu
(Lord wont you hear my pleas)
Handina, wandinongedza chigunwe, anoziva
(I have none, I can point a finger to, who knows)
Kupindura mubvunzo wandatanga ndabvunza
(An answer the question I asked in the beginning)
Ndosaka ndaimba holan holan
(That’s why I sang…hold on hold on)

Bridge
Mwari pindirai pindirai pindirai
(God intervene intervene intervene)
Ahhaaaa ahhaaa
Pindirai pindirai pindirai
(Intervene intervene intervene)
Iihihi iii
Chorus
Tauya zvedu, Tenzi dai mangoti cheu.
(Here we are, Lord will you look this way)
Tochema nyika yedu, Kwedu zvatinyanyira sei.
(We cry for our country, this is too much for us)
Kana kumabasa kwedu, Tenzi hapana macents.
(Even at our work places Lord there is no money)
Tochema nyika yedu, Kwedu zvatinyanyira sei.
(We cry for our country Its very difficult for us)

Handina aah,
(I have nothing)
Chandinoziva ah ah
(that I know)
Asi ndokumbirawo
(But I am asking for)
Pundutso, pundutso
(Furtherance, furtherance)

So mi seh so much so much
Wer mi did ah see naked with mi own eyes
So me say oh Lawd oh Lawd have mercy mercy

Bridge
Mwari pindirai pindirai pindirai
(God intervene intervene intervene)
Ahhaaaa ahhaaa
Pindirai pindirai pindirai
(Intervene intervene intervene)
Iihihi iii
Chorus
Tauya zvedu, Tenzi dai mangoti cheu.
(Here we are, Lord will you look this way)
Tochema nyika yedu, Kwedu zvatinyanyira sei.
(We cry for our country, its too much for us)
Kana kumabasa kwedu, Tenzi hapana macents.
(Even at our work places Lord there is no money)
Tochema nyika yedu, Kwedu zvatinyanyira sei.
(We cry for our country Its too much for us)

Handina aah,
(I have nothing)
Chandinoziva ah ah
(That I know)
Asi ndokumbirawo
(But I am asking for)
pundutso, pundutso
(furtherance, furtherance)
So mi seh so much so much
Wer mi did ah see naked with mi own eyes
So me say oh Lawd oh Lawd have mercy mercy

~B
PS I tried to translate/interpret the lyrics from Shona to the best of my but some could be wrong and if you notice any errors do let me know
Dreams of brighter days