KUMBAYA LYRICS (AS SUNG BY THE SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR)

Soweto Gospel Choir - Khumbaya

Uploaded by joashstilltheman on Feb 19, 2010

This is from the album BLESSED (LIVE)

-snip-

Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPrAHCOsNBQ for a clearer sound file of the Soweto Gospel Choir singing this song.

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I added this post because I couldn't find the lyrics to "Kumbaya" as sung by the Soweto Gospel Choir and several other choirs. This is my attempt at transcription from the video posted above. This transcription is based on YouTube video sound files, and videos of that South African choir. However, it doesn't include the African words or the (possibly) ad lib flourishes that are sung toward the end of that rendition.

I'm not sure who wrote the lyrics for this version of "Kumbaya"and when they were written. Please add corrections and any information about this version of "Kumbaya". Thank you.

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KUMBAYA (a contemporary version as sung by The Soweto Gospel Choir)

Somebody’s cryin, Lord
(Kumbaya)
Somebody’s prayin, Lord
(Kumbaya)
Somebody’s cryin, Lord
(Kumbaya)
Somebody’s prayin, Lord
(Kumbaya)

Oh Lord, hear my prayer
(Kumbaya)
As I lift my voice and say
(Kumbaya)
I need you, Lord today
(Kumbaya)
I need you right away
(Kumbaya)

Somebody’s cryin, Lord
(Kumbaya)
Somebody’s prayin, Lord
(Kumbaya)
Somebody’s cryin, Lord
(Kumbaya)
Somebody’s prayin, Lord
(Kumbaya)

Somebody’s in despair
(Kumbaya)
Somebody feels like no one cares
(Kumbaya)
I know You’ll make a way
(Kumbaya)
Yes, the Lord will make a way
(Kumbaya)

Somebody’s in despair
(Kumbaya)
Somebody feels like no one cares
(Kumbaya)
I know You’ll make a way
(Kumbaya)

Yes, the Lord will make a way
(Kumbaya)

Somebody’s in despair
(Kumbaya)
Somebody feels like no one cares
(Kumbaya)
Oh, oh - o - o, kumbaya
Oh, Lord, kumbaya
(Come by here)
Oh, Lord, kumbaya
(Come by here)
Oh, Lord, kumbaya
(Come by here)
Oh, Lord, kumbaya
(Come by here)
Oh, Lord, kumbaya

(Continue repeating with flourishes.)

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Here's another choir which sings that version of "Kumbaya":

Khumbaya, Gospel Night 2009 Group 3

Uploaded by koichikm on Sep 13, 2009

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Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/01/kumbaya-song-around-world.html for a related pancocojams post on "The Kumbaya Song Around The World"

Click http://www.mamalisa.com/?t=es&p=108&c=23 for the history of and the standard American lyrics for "Kumbaya".

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Viewer comments are welcome here or on http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/01/kumbaya-lyrics-as-sung-by-soweto... where this post was first published.