Secular songs from the Kumina Tradition of Jamaica
Learned from Horace Junior Gabu Wedderburn

Mahtina & Kubalay

Mahtina woy, woy, woy,
Mahtina
Mahtina woy, woy, woy,
Mahtina

Rock your body, oh
Rock your body kubalay
Rock your body, oh
Rock your body kubalay

Kubalay-ee-o
Rock your body kubalay
Kubalay-ee-o
Rock your body kubalay

Mahtina and Kubalay are secular songs from the Kumina tradition which you would hear at regular ceremonies. The Kumina in Jamaica are from the Kongo kingdom. They came in as “Indentured Servants” aka Paid slaves. In Jamaica out of all the ethnic groups they have the highest African retention and conservation, they speak a patois filled with Kikongo words. The drumming is very much like Bomba, Bambula, and other Congolese derrived drummings, but of the same specific region.

Learn more about Kumina and hear some of the traditional drum rhythms played by Horace Junior Gabu Wedderburn, Master Drummer for the Lion King: http://www.largeup.com/2011/11/04/the-lions-master-qa-with-junior-%E2%80%9Cgabu%E2%80%9D-wedderburn/

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by Elise Witt © Non Si Sa Mai Music ASCAP

Written for One Billion Rising to stop violence against women and girls around the world.  

Inspired by Amy Goodman (Democracy Now) & Murphy Davis (The Open Door).

Recorded on We’re All BORN SINGING © EM World Records

BREAK THE SILENCE

CHORUS:

Break the silence all around the world
Break the silence in your neighborhood
Break the silence deep inside your heart
Break the silence now!

When they tell you “Hush your mouth” (Break the silence)
When they tell you “Don’t speak out” (Break the silence)
When they take away your books (Break the silence)
When your confidence is shook (Break the silence)

When they say, “Don’t play your drum” (Break the silence)
When they tell you, “Bite your tongue” (Break the silence)
When they say “You’ve got it wrong” (Break the silence)
When you have to sing your song!      CHORUS

 

When they say “Don’t trust each other” (Break the silence)
When they say, “Tell on your brother” (Break the silence)
When there’s cops inside your head (Break the silence)
When you wish that you were dead (Break the silence)

When they’re trying to recruit’ya (Break the silence)
Say, “A uniform would suit ya” (Break the silence)
When they say, “Give up the fight” (Break the silence)
When you know about your rights! CHORUS

 

When you just can’t pay the rent (Break the silence)
When you feel embarassment (Break the silence)
When you’ve lost all sense of hope (Break the silence)
At the end of your rope

When a few hold on to plenty (Break the silence)
When the many don’t have any (Break the silence)
When your health care’s out of reach (Break the silence)
When you know that you can preach   CHORUS

 

When the prison walls get higher (Break the silence)
When your case won’t come to trial (Break the silence)
When they say it’s dangerous (Break the silence)
When you’re just too curious (Break the silence)

When they say your song is banned (Break the silence)
When they take away your land (Break the silence)
When they say “Don’t tell your story” (Break the silence)
When you need to shine your glory!!

“Break the Silence” sung by GVP Form 1: 2018-2019

“Break the Silence” sung by GVP Form 3: 2018-2019

 

Alleluia-Russian-Orth

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

IN MUSIC OUR HEARTS RENEW
Seasons turn
River flowing
Our lives ever growing
Our hearts renew
In music our hearts renew

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