Mbeleni naendelea, (I’m pressing on the upward way)
Ninazidi kutembea (New heights I’m gaining every day)
Mombi uyasikie (Still praying as I’m onward bound)
Ee Bwana unipandishe (Lord, plant my feet on higher ground)
Ee Bwana uniinue (Lord, lift me up and let me stand)
Kwa imani nisimame (By faith, on Heaven’s table land)
Nipande milima yote (A higher plane than I have found)
Ee Bwana unipandishe (Lord, plant my feet on higher ground)
Sina tamaa ni nikae (My heart has no desire to stay)
Mahali pa shaka kamwe (Where doubts arise and fears dismay)
Hapo wengi wanakaa (Though some may dwell where those abound)
Kuendelea naomba (My prayer, my aim, is higher ground)
Nisikae duniani (I want to live above the world)
Ni mahali pa shetani (Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled)
Natazamia mbiguni (For faith has caught the joyful sound)
Nitafika kwa imani (The song of saints on higher ground)
(Chorus)
Nataka nipandishwe juu (I want to scale the utmost height)
Zaidi ya ee mawingu (And catch a gleam of glory bright)
Nitaomba nisikize (But still I’ll pray till Heav’n I’ve found)
Ee Bwana unipandishe (Lord, plant my feet on higher ground)
(Repeat)
(Chorus) Notes:
The English translation in this song is not exact. The Swahili version was adopted from the original hymn, that is why the translation is the hymn itself. Otherwise, the translation differs for example as follows: (Verse 1 + Chorus)
I’m moving forward/I am pressing on/Listen to my prayers /Oh Father lift me up
Oh Father Lift me up/to stand in faith/To climb all hills/ Oh Father lift me up.
Lekunutung le Morena (My secret with God)
O, ho monate hakaakang! (O, How Pleasant it is)
Ke buisana le eena (To have a conversation)
Kamoo pelong ke ikutloang (To pour out my heart unto Him) (Repeat)
Refrain:
Ke ‘molelle litsietsi (I tell Him about my troubles)
Tse nkhathatsang tsa lefatse (That bother me on earth)
Ke role tsohle tse ho ‘na (I unburden all from me)
Lekunutung le Morena (My secret with God) (Repeat)
Lekunutung le Morena (My secret with God)
Hoja nka ba teng ka mehla, (If ever I could dwell there forever)
Ka mamela, ka mo boha, (To listen and view)
Ka utloa ke khatholoha! (I feel at home)
Ke khora khotso ea ‘nete (I’m filled with everlasting joy)
Ha ke buisoa ke Ntate, (When I talk with the Father)
Ke ntse ke lumelloa le’na (I find favor)
Lekunutung le Morena (My secret with God)
Sewakhile enhlizweni umhlobo wam (He is built in my heart, my friend)
Nguy’ omkhulu ezihlotjeni umhlobo wam (He is greatest among my relatives, my friend)
Ngoba nguye owangi mela (For He’s the one who stood up for me)
Langi lahlwe okwempela (When I was forsaken by all others)
Ngal’ uthando wangifela umhlobo wam’ (With love he died for me, my friend) (Repeat)
Uyathwala mthwalo wami, umhlobo wam’ (He carries my burdens, my friend)
Uthi wongi thwala nam’, umhlobo wam’ (He promises to carry me as well, my friend)
Waye hlatjwa njenge mvana (He was slain like a lamb)
Aza ngez’ owakh’ mtwana (To make me his own child)
Yeki nhlanhla yokwazana nomhlobo wam’ (What a privilege it is to know my friend) (Repeat)
Yeki nhlanhla yokwazana nomhlobo wam (What a privilege it is to know my friend)x?
African Gospel Lyrics 