SONG ANALYSIS: "I WORSHIP YOU."

I WORSHIP YOU.

I Worship you by Holy Battalion.
Written & Sang by: Salim, Nabii, Bernardoz, Ken and Zippy. Reviewed by: Gideon Kimanzi

ALBUM: UPENDO WA AJABU

There are a few worship songs that Holy Battalion has written.
Some may think "Upendo wa Ajabu" is, simply because it took the airwaves by storm in year 2004. "Hapa Hatutoki & Fagia Yote" had also drawn some degree of positive comment from the public in year 2006 and 2004 respectively.
"I Worship you" is a departure from the usual Holy Battalion lyrics that are always in one language that is Swahili. It is a song that has been done in three languages i.e. English, Swahili and dholuo (one of the native language in Kenya).
The underlying theme is one of worship – dedicated to our Almighty magnificent God. In this light, it reminds me of "Upendo wa Ajabu" - simply because of the outcome. Praises to God seems to predominate the music.
The first verse mainly focuses on one of the major reasons for worshipping the Lord. It dwells on the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is brought out clearly by Kennedy a.k.a. Onesh in his first two lines in dholuo;
“Gima temo wacho ni bi uru kuom Kristo, Nikech en ma no tho, e musalaba malo”. ( Translated in English-“My plea to you is come now to Christ, because He is the one who died on the cross for our sake”
Then Dennis a.k.a. Nabii emphasis on the reason why we need to praise the Lord because He overcame death and He is alive forever more;
“Nimepata ingine nafasi kuleta Yangu kali mistari, watu wakubali hali ni shwari kwa maana yeye ndiye Mwokozi yuu hai (yuu hai)” (Translated in English-“ Let me take this opportunity to sprinkle my lyrics, let people acknowledge they are good because our Lord Jesus Christ is alive( He’s alive”
The second verse places more emphasis on individual testimonies and pledging of allegiance to worship the lamb. This is brought out in the opening lines of verse two done by Salim.
“It’s another day, it’s another time, everybody rise, and everybody come, Let us rejoice.”
Then Bernardoz interposes with his lyrics which he tends to personalize in form of a testimony by telling us his reasons for as to why we need to worship the Lord. He concludes by calling upon the people to come taste the fruits of worshipping our creator.
“Worship the Lord morning time till evening,…….Praise from me lips his face me a seeking, more and more in love with Him, Come taste and see, how the Lord is good, He is merciful and His love is true. Come taste and see what He has done for me, believe you will receive blessings flowing everyday.”

The third Verse climaxes with a worship done in Swahili by Zippy, who goes to the heart of worship with her strong soprano. At this point, the rhythm of the track crescendos and really summarizes the song;
“Tunakuabudu, tunakuinua, tunakubariki, sifa zote ni zako”(Translated in English: We WORSHIP you, we lift you up, we bless your name, all praises to our God”)
The chorus is repeated thrice, and then kind of a fade out with chanting in the background.
“Oh Lord I worship you, Oh Lord I adore you, Oh Lord ooh yes it’s true, Until the end of time and thereafter”
As in "Wee sifu", Worship takes the predominance in this song and Holy Battalion members once again showed great depth and a sense of worship in this song as to the feelings and inner gratitude portrayed in their lyrics.