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.
PRIDE
Soweto Gospel Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One man come and go
One man come he to justify
One man to overthrow
In the name of love
What more in the name of love?
In the name of love
One man caught on a barbed wire fence
One man he resist
One man washed up on an empty beach
One man betrayed with a kiss
In the name of love
What more in the name of love?
In the name of love
What more in the name of love?
Nobody like you
There's noone like you
Nobody like you
Early morning, April four
Shot rings out in the Memphis sky
Free at last, they took your life
They could not take your pride
In the name of love
What more in the name of love?
In the name of love
What more in the name of love?
In the name of love
What more in the name of love?
In the name of love
What more in the name of love?
The Soweto Gospel Choir's song "Pride" is a powerful and moving tribute to those who have fought for love, freedom, and justice throughout history. The song begins by referencing a single man who has come in the name of love, who has come to justify and overthrow. This man represents all those who have struggled and sacrificed for their beliefs, and the lyrics emphasize the importance of love as a driving force behind these movements.
The second verse continues with powerful imagery of a man caught on a barbed wire fence, resisting against oppression. The mention of a man betrayed with a kiss is a clear reference to the betrayal of Jesus by Judas, and the lyrics here suggest that this kind of betrayal is a common experience for those who fight for justice. The chorus repeats the question "What more in the name of love?" and emphasizes the idea that love can inspire us to go to great lengths to achieve our goals.
The final verse brings the song into more contemporary times, with a reference to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4th, 1968. King is celebrated here as a martyr who gave his life for the cause of equality and justice, and the lyrics suggest that even in death, he was able to maintain his pride and dignity. Through these powerful references to notable historical figures who have fought for change, the Soweto Gospel Choir's "Pride" is an inspiring call to action to continue the struggle for love, freedom, and justice.
Line by Line Meaning
One man come in the name of love
A person arrives with the motive of spreading love and compassion.
One man come and go
A person arrived and left without making a substantial impact.
One man come he to justify
A person arrived with the intent to clear any misunderstandings and bring understanding.
One man to overthrow
A person to bring about a significant change by replacing the current system or regime.
In the name of love
The actions and motives behind the person's efforts originate from love.
What more in the name of love?
What other sacrifices and efforts could be made for the sake of love?
One man caught on a barbed wire fence
A person trapped and confined by societal or political barriers.
One man he resist
A person attempts to fight against the oppressor and not give in to their demands.
One man washed up on an empty beach
A person left abandoned and alone without any aid or support.
One man betrayed with a kiss
A person experiencing deception and treachery from someone they trusted.
Nobody like you
Nobody compares to the person being addressed.
Early morning, April four
Referring to the date when Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated.
Shot rings out in the Memphis sky
A gunshot was fired, leading to Martin Luther King Jr's death in Memphis.
Free at last, they took your life
The person being addressed was finally free from oppression and injustice, but their life was taken away.
They could not take your pride
The person being addressed managed to hold on to their dignity and respect despite facing many hardships.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: Adam Clayton, Dave Evans, Larry Mullen, Paul David Hewson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@yuhauuhatuudaalyuhauuhathe2163
ALYUHAUUHA THE HEAVENLY FATHER BE ESTEEMED. And cover you
@HuzyIam
Africa.....beautiful beautiful Africa...says it all "In the Name of Love" should'nt this be universal instead of the greed,of the idol rich,we could learn from these beautiful people,so vibrant,natural,gracious,the colours of our Universe,and yet beneath this,is terrible apatied & poverty still. They truely are worth viewing thankyou Seweto Gospel Choir.
@tomasmorey1269
Cada vez que recuerdo esta canción, siempre me viene el recuerdo de un grupo cantando en versión Gospel. Ni pop, ni house, sólo Gospel, a pura garganta. Se me ponen los pelos de punta.
@johnbuaas9216
A whole lot more people need to hear this, is all I have to say.
@ketialartigue215
Merci. Thank you. African Blood! African voice! Christian! Too bad so many choir don't follow your example Soweto. Even the African decent like my race.. I'm Haitian, I love music and I find myself in those songs. I love you guys, keep the good work. God Bless. I'll look for the CDs and Dvds. Thank you, thank you, thank you...
@lehlohonolomusa4888
Life changing type of music. Thank you blessing us
@jennyful78
Goshy ...wish cud see em perfoming live...hope one day they will come to Florida....really lev em.
@marciabryant9330
Simply beautiful!
@teflonarius
o my god this is so amazingly beautiful awesome sound thnx for postin this m8
@Crazycupmuffin
Honestly its great but i would never have this full blast on my car radio lol. Thats for U2!! great version though and im sure it would be brilliant to hear live.