UPDATE: Do you like my songs and want to support my music?
Please make a donation (any amount counts) to our Books 4 Africa project.
E-mail me at info@garthprince.com if you have any questions.
Please make a donation (any amount counts) to our Books 4 Africa project.
E-mail me at info@garthprince.com if you have any questions.
Please use the following introduction when performing:
Amabhayisekili or The Bicycle Song was inspired by a period in the nineteen forties when bicycles became increasingly popular in Southern Africa. The song is in Zulu, the most widely spoken local language of South Africa.
Garth Prince learned the song in choir when he was a teenager, and years later arranged it to teach his own two Canadian-born children about the culture from back home.
Amabhayisekili or The Bicycle Song was inspired by a period in the nineteen forties when bicycles became increasingly popular in Southern Africa. The song is in Zulu, the most widely spoken local language of South Africa.
Garth Prince learned the song in choir when he was a teenager, and years later arranged it to teach his own two Canadian-born children about the culture from back home.
TEACHER NOTES:
Step 1: Example video |
TEACHER NOTES:
I arranged the song during COVID and recently had a chance to test it in schools with grade 4 students. The side-step dance move and the Zulu words were challenging, so I wouldn't recommend it as a performance piece unless I am at your school to help with the performance. However, it is well suited for a movement break and kids can simply follow along and do the dance moves to the best of their ability. If you have any ideas or suggestions for making it easier for performance, please email me at: info@garthprince.com Posted on 27 March 2023 |
Step 2: Learn the lyricsNgo nineteen forty. Ngo nineteen forty
s’kwele marabi sigibel’amabhayisekili Amabhayisekili. Sibel amabhayisekili Oh Amabhayisekili. Sibel amabhayisekili Amabhayisekili. Sibel amabhayisekili In nineteen forty. In nineteen forty at Marabi station we get on and ride our bicycles. Amabhayisekili. Sibel amabhayisekili Oh Amabhayisekili. Sibel amabhayisekili Amabhayisekili. Sibel amabhayisekili Pump the wheels. Check the chain. And the breaks. Get your helmet Take your passenger. It’s a challenge On your marks. Ready to ride here we Go! Go! ... Ngo nineteen forty Ngo nineteen forty s’kwele marabi sigibel’amabhayisekili Amabhayisekili. Sibel amabhayisekili Oh Amabhayisekili. Sibel amabhayisekili Amabhayisekili. Sibel amabhayisekili In nineteen forty. In nineteen forty at Marabi station we get on and ride our bicycles. |
TEACHER NOTES:
I will soon post a recording of myself reading it to help students with pronunciation. Below is an MP3 instrumental track you can use to perform the song with your own vocals. |