African Gospel Lyrics

(Sung in Swahili – A Hymn) — See notes below

Usiku mtakatifu, nyota zameremermeta
(Oh Holy night, the stars are brightly shining)
Ni usiku wa kuzawa mwokozi
(It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth)
Dunia yote, kwa dhambi ilizama
(Long lay the world in sin and error pining)
Hadi Yesu kaja kutuokoa
(Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth)
Tunaiingia ya kusisimua kote
(A thrill of hope – the weary world rejoices)
Utukufu wake wachomoza

Tumsujudu, sikia malaika
(Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices)
Usiku mkuu, wa kuzaliwa Yesu Kristo
(O night divine, O night when Christ was born)
Usiku mkuu, usiku mtakatifu
(O night, O holy night, O night divine!)

Kweli ametufunza sote kupendana
(Truly He taught us to love one another)
Injili yake ni amani (His gospel is peace)
Minyororo yote ya utumwa imevunjwa
(Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother)
Kwa jina lake tutapata uhuru
(And in His name all oppression shall cease)
Tenzi tamu wa pamoja twainua
(Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we)
Tumsifu kwa roho zetu zote
(Let all within us praise His holy name)
Yesu ni Bwana, milele tumsifu
(Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever)
Tutangaze uweza na utukufu wake
(His Power and Glory evermore proclaim)
Tutangaze uweza na utukufu wake
(His Power and Glory evermore proclaim)

Tumsujudu, sikia malaika
(Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices)
Usiku mkuu, wa kuzaliwa Yesu Kristo
(O night divine, O night when Christ was born)
Usiku mkuu, usiku mtakatifu
(O night, O holy night, O night divine!)

(Notes: The Swahili lyrics do not translate completely to the h ones, but the singers wanted to convey meaningful translation of the Hymn in Swahili – this is why we have the original English lyrics instead of re-translating the Swahili ones back to English)