921

Amen siakudu misa (Amen We Praise Your Name O God)

Scripture References

921

Amen siakudu misa (Amen We Praise Your Name O God)

Additional Prayers

A Prayer of Acclamation and Praise
 
Powerful God, you caused light to shine out of darkness.
We praise your name, O God.
You made covenant promises to a people yet to be born.
We praise your name, O God.
You gave your beloved Son to the world.
We praise your name, O God.
When your kingdom fully comes, you will cast down tyrants and raise up saints and martyrs.
We praise your name, O God. Amen. We praise your name.
— Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.
921

Amen siakudu misa (Amen We Praise Your Name O God)

Tune Information

Name
MASITHI
Key
D Major

Recordings

921

Amen siakudu misa (Amen We Praise Your Name O God)

Hymn Story/Background

The short text is expands the conclusion of the Eucharistic prayer, expanding the “Amen” of that prayer just before the bread and wine are served.  This song was one of the first by the South African composer S. C. Molefe based on African rhythms that invited movement along with the song, for a full-bodied affirmation of praise that the prayer calls for.
— Emily Brink

Author and Composer Information

Stephen Cuthbert Molefe (1921-1983), from the Xhosa people in South Africa, was a Roman Catholic musician and composer from Vosloorus, near Johannesburg.  He had studied composition in the Western tradition, but not until after the Second Vatican Council was he encouraged to write a song for worship rooted in his own culture.  He attended a workshop in 1977 in the eastern cape of South Africa led by David Dargie, a South African priest of Scottish descent, who encouraged him to compose out of his African context. “Amen, siakudu misa” was one of his first songs that combined western influence in the four-part harmony with especially native African rhythms that also welcomed clapping and movement.  In 1978 Molefe was brutally attacked and was blinded as a result.  
— Emily Brink

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