East African Swahili English Anabaptist Songs

[Call] (Leader)
[Response] (Congregation)

[Call]
Blessed, blessed, the humble in spirit,
[Response]
Blessed, blessed, the humble in spirit,

[Call]
Comfort, comfort for those who mourn,
[Response]
Comfort, comfort for those who mourn,

[Call]
Garden’s bounty, for the gentle given,
[Response]
Garden’s bounty, for the gentle given,

[Call]
Filled, filled, those who yearn for right,
[Response]
Filled, filled, those who yearn for right,

(Chorus)
[Call]
His words, His love, lighting our way,
[Response]
His words, His love, lighting our way,

[Call]
Beatitudes shine, guiding us every day.
[Response]
Beatitudes shine, guiding us every day.

[Call]
Mercy, mercy for those who give it,
[Response]
Mercy, mercy for those who give it,

[Call]
Pure in heart, they will see God’s face,
[Response]
Pure in heart, they will see God’s face,

[Call]
Children of love, peacemakers in grace,
[Response]
Children of love, peacemakers in grace,

[Call]
Kingdom of heaven, for loving and kind’s embrace.
[Response]
Kingdom of heaven, for loving and kind’s embrace.

(Repeat Chorus)

[Call]
His promise, His promise, a reward so great,
[Response]
His promise, His promise, a reward so great,

[Call]
Follow His path, to heaven’s gate.
[Response]
Follow His path, to heaven’s gate.

(Repeat Chorus)

Now, I’ll provide the Swahili translation for this version:

[Call] (Leader)
[Response] (Congregation)

[Call]
Heri, heri, wanyenyekevu wa roho,
[Response]
Heri, heri, wanyenyekevu wa roho,

[Call]
Fariji, fariji kwa wanaoomboleza,
[Response]
Fariji, fariji kwa wanaoomboleza,

[Call]
Zawadi ya bustani, kwa wapole,
[Response]
Zawadi ya bustani, kwa wapole,

[Call]
Shibishwa, shibishwa wanaotafuta haki,
[Response]
Shibishwa, shibishwa wanaotafuta haki,

(Chorus)
[Call]
Maneno Yake, upendo Wake, taa yetu,
[Response]
Maneno Yake, upendo Wake, taa yetu,

[Call]
Heri zinang’aa, zikitutia mwongozo kila siku.
[Response]
Heri zinang’aa, zikitutia mwongozo kila siku.

[Call]
Rehema, rehema kwa wanaotoa,
[Response]
Rehema, rehema kwa wanaotoa,

[Call]
Wenye moyo safi, watazama uso wa Mungu,
[Response]
Wenye moyo safi, watazama uso wa Mungu,

[Call]
Watoto wa upendo, wapatanishi kwa neema,
[Response]
Watoto wa upendo, wapatanishi kwa neema,

[Call]
Ufalme wa mbinguni, kwa wapole na wema.
[Response]
Ufalme wa mbinguni, kwa wapole na wema.

(Repeat Chorus)

[Call]
Ahadi Yake, ahadi Yake, zawadi kubwa,
[Response]
Ahadi Yake, ahadi Yake, zawadi kubwa,

[Call]
Fuata njia Yake, mlangoni mwa mbingu.
[Response]
Fuata njia Yake, mlangoni mwa mbingu.

(Repeat Chorus)

2 God over money

[Call] (Leader)
[Response] (Congregation)

[Call]
Cannot serve both God and money,
[Response]
Cannot serve both God and money,

[Call]
Birds of the air, God feeds them true,
[Response]
Birds of the air, God feeds them true,

[Call]
Lilies of the field, in splendor they stand,
[Response]
Lilies of the field, in splendor they stand,

[Call]
Yet God clothes us with a more loving hand.
[Response]
Yet God clothes us with a more loving hand.

(Chorus)
[Call]
Work for God, and He’ll provide for you,
[Response]
Work for God, and He’ll provide for you,

[Call]
Trust in Him, in everything you do.
[Response]
Trust in Him, in everything you do.

[Call]
Surrender tomorrow, place it in God’s hand,
[Response]
Surrender tomorrow, place it in God’s hand,

[Call]
Learn to love today, is what God commands.
[Response]
Learn to love today, is what God commands.

(Repeat Chorus)

Swahili Translation

[Call] (Leader)
[Response] (Congregation)

[Call]
Huwezi kutumikia Mungu na mali,
[Response]
Huwezi kutumikia Mungu na mali,

[Call]
Ndege wa angani, Mungu awalisha,
[Response]
Ndege wa angani, Mungu awalisha,

[Call]
Lilie wa shambani, wanang’ara kwa fahari,
[Response]
Lilie wa shambani, wanang’ara kwa fahari,

[Call]
Lakini Mungu hutuvika kwa mkono wa upendo.
[Response]
Lakini Mungu hutuvika kwa mkono wa upendo.

(Chorus)
[Call]
Fanya kazi kwa Mungu, naye atakupatia,
[Response]
Fanya kazi kwa Mungu, naye atakupatia,

[Call]
Mtegemee, katika kila unachofanya.
[Response]
Mtegemee, katika kila unachofanya.

[Call]
Kabidhi kesho, weka mkononi mwa Mungu,
[Response]
Kabidhi kesho, weka mkononi mwa Mungu,

[Call]
Jifunze kupenda leo, hii ndiyo amri ya Mungu.
[Response]
Jifunze kupenda leo, hii ndiyo amri ya Mungu.

(Repeat Chorus)

3 Parable of the Flourishing Kingdom

The narrative ”The Parable of the Flourishing Kingdom” references the following Bible verses:

Micah 4:4: This verse speaks of a time of peace, where ”everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid.” It is used in the chorus to illustrate the vision of a peaceful and self-sustaining community.

Matthew 13:31-32 (also found in Mark 4:30-32 and Luke 13:18-19): These verses tell the parable of the mustard seed, which, though it is the smallest of all seeds, when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches. The narrative uses this parable in Verse 2 to symbolize the potential of small beginnings to effect significant change.

Ezekiel 47:1-12: This passage describes a vision where water flows from the temple, bringing life wherever it goes. It symbolizes a source of life and rejuvenation. The narrative references this vision in the bridge, likening the efforts of the people to plant and nurture the forest to the life-giving waters in Ezekiel’s vision.

These references are woven into the narrative to convey themes of growth, faith, and community building, drawing on the rich imagery and messages of the Bible to inspire and unite people in a common cause.

(Verse 1)
In a land, once barren and dry,
A man of faith cast his eyes to the sky.
"Let us sow," he sang, "not just for our need,
But for a kingdom where all can feed."

(Chorus)
"Join me, brothers and sisters, in this holy quest,
To plant a forest, where life can rest.
Under every vine and fig tree, we’ll live in peace,
As told in Micah, our joys will never cease."

(Verse 2)
He planted a seed, tiny as a mustard grain,
Speaking of a future where hope would reign.
"Though small now," he sang with a smile so bright,
"This seed will grow, bringing life and light."

(Bridge)
"For as Ezekiel saw the waters flow,
From the temple to the earth below,
So shall our efforts bring life anew,
A forest of plenty, for me and you."

(Chorus)
"Come, let’s nurture these seeds of grace,
In this sacred, once desolate place.
With faith as small as a mustard seed,
We’ll see mountains move, fulfilling every need."

(Verse 3)
The man walked the land, singing his song,
Inviting all to join and belong.
"Together," he sang, "we’ll witness the birth,
Of a verdant kingdom, right here on Earth."

(Outro)
So the forest grew, from seeds of faith sown,
A testament to the love they’ve shown.
Under every leaf, in the shade they’d meet,
In the kingdom of God, where Earth and Heaven greet.

3.1 Kichwa: ”Mfano wa Ufalme Unaochanua”

(Beti ya 1)
Katika nchi, iliyokuwa kame na kavu,
Mtu wa imani aliangaza macho yake angani.
"Hebu tupande," aliimba, "si kwa ajili ya mahitaji yetu tu,
Bali kwa ufalme ambapo wote wanaweza kula."

(Kiitikio)
"Jiungeni nami, ndugu na dada, katika harakati hii takatifu,
Kupanda msitu, ambapo uhai unaweza kupumzika.
Chini ya kila mzabibu na mtini, tutakaa kwa amani,
Kama ilivyoandikwa katika kitabu cha Mika, furaha zetu hazitaisha."

(Beti ya 2)
Alipanda mbegu, ndogo kama punje ya haradali,
Akiongelea mustakabali ambapo matumaini yatatawala.
"Inaonekana ndogo sasa," aliimba kwa tabasamu angavu,
"Mbegu hii itakua, ikileta uhai na mwangaza."

(Daraja)
"Kama Ezekieli alivyoona maji yakitiririka,
Kutoka hekaluni hadi duniani chini,
Vivyo hivyo juhudi zetu zitaleta uhai mpya,
Msitu wa kutosha, kwa mimi na wewe."

(Kiitikio)
"Njoo, tulee mbegu hizi za neema,
Mahali patakatifu, palipokuwa hapana kitu.
Kwa imani ndogo kama mbegu ya haradali,
Tutaona milima ikihamia, ikikidhi kila haja."

(Beti ya 3)
Mtu huyo alitembea nchini, akiimba wimbo wake,
Akiwakaribisha wote kujiunga na kuwa sehemu.
"Pamoja," aliimba, "tutashuhudia kuzaliwa,
Kwa ufalme wenye rutuba, hapa hapa Duniani."

(Hitimisho)
Hivyo msitu ukakua, kutokana na mbegu za imani zilizopandwa,
Ushuhuda wa upendo waliouonyesha.
Chini ya kila jani, katika kivuli walikutana,
Katika ufalme wa Mungu, ambapo Dunia na Mbingu zinakutana.