Mixing African gospel with traditional hymns, Jamaican reggae, American pop… Read Full Bio ↴Mixing African gospel with traditional hymns, Jamaican reggae, American pop, and spiritually themed secular songs, the Soweto Gospel Choir are an impressive performing unit. Formed in Soweto, South Africa, in 2002 by choir directors David Mulovhedzi and Beverly Bryer, the group includes 30-some members and the show they produce is a powerful expression of hope and joy full of gorgeous South African vocal harmonies.

The choir was the surprise hit of the 2003 Edinburgh Festival: they were the fourth-highest selling act out of 1,600 acts booked for the festival, putting on extra shows to meet the demand and eventually performing 29 concerts in the space of a month - delighting the reviewers as much as the audiences.

The choir's debut album, Voices from Heaven, appeared in 2005 from Shanachie Records, followed that same year by Blessed, also on Shanachie. African Spirit was released two years later in 2007 on the same imprint.

Forever Young
Soweto Gospel Choir Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

May God's blessing keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let the others do for you

May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth

And see the light surrounding you

May you grow up and be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay
Forever young

Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young

Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young

Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young

Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young

Overall Meaning

The Soweto Gospel Choir's version of Bob Dylan's "Forever Young" is a beautiful and inspiring song offering blessings and hopes of everlasting youth and the strength to face life's challenges with courage and righteousness. The song starts by invoking God's blessings upon the listener to keep them safe and to make their wishes come true. The lyrics also describe the importance of leading a life of service to others and allowing others to do the same for them. The wishes of this song are not just for the present, but for the listener's entire life as they grow up and face new challenges.

As the song progresses, it continues to wish the listener to grow up to be righteous, true, and full of courage. The final stanza of the song emphasizes the desire for eternal youth and strength to face life without fear, and the hope that the listener may stay forever young.

Overall, the song is a heartfelt and poetic wish for all the best for the listener's life journey. It is a reminder to be kind, courageous, truthful, and to never lose the youthful joy and perspective we all have within us.

Line by Line Meaning

May God's blessing keep you always
May the grace of the divine power be with you constantly

May your wishes all come true
May all your desires be fulfilled

May you always do for others
May you always be kind and helpful to others

And let the others do for you
And let others reciprocate the same kindness to you

May you grow up to be righteous
May you become a virtuous person as you grow up

May you grow up to be true
May you grow up to be authentic and honest

May you always know the truth
May you always seek and acknowledge the truth

And see the light surrounding you
And may you always be aware of the positivity and brightness around you

May you grow up and be courageous
May you develop bravery and boldness as you mature

Stand upright and be strong
Maintain a good posture and be emotionally strong

May you stay forever young
May you always have a youthful, energetic spirit