many in the anti-apartheid movement. His themes include the struggle for freedom, and forgiveness and reconciliation with enemies. Vusi can also be heard performing on Warren Haynes' [Gov't Mule, The Allman Brothers Band] Live at Bonnaroo release during the song "Soulshine", and the Dave Matthews Band song, "Everyday", from the album of the same name as well as a live version of the song with him which appears on the album The Best of What's Around Vol. 1. Vusi was also one of the performers at the Live 8 concerts.
Vusi played a very mellow pre-lunch solo set to an appreciative audience (those capable of functioning at that hour) at the 2004 Falls Festival that was concluded with a superb performance of 'Red Song' in The Big Top, before joining Xavier Rudd on the main Valley Stage to a raptuous reception.
His album The Voice includes the popular track "Weeping", recorded with Josh Groban and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Vusi joined Mambazo for their October-November UK tour in 2004, and will join them again for their 2007 UK tour, again from October to November 2007 [1].
He and other South African musicians took part in the 2002 documentary Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony where they recalled the days of Apartheid.
In June 2007, Mahlasela spoke of apartheid and performed "Thula Mama" at the TED Conference.
On 7 July 2007 Mahlasela performed at the South African leg of Live Earth.
His most recent album, Guiding Star, as Naledi Ya Tsela (the name under which it is released in South Africa) won him the 2007 SAMA for Best Male Artist.
Discography
When You Come Back 1992
Wisdom of Forgiveness 1994
Silang Mabele 1997
Live at the Bassline 1999
Miyela Afrika 2000
Jungle of Questions (with the Proud Peoples Band) 2000
Soundtrack: Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony 2002
Compilations: The Voice (Vusi Mahlasela album) 2003
Soundtrack: Tsotsi 2005
Naledi Ya Tsela (Guiding Star) 2007
Mighty River
Vusi Mahlasela Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For a sign
I was waiting
For voices from the sky
In the desert I was wandering
Oh hard and stony ground
When I came upon a rive
That was rolling homeward bound
Mighty river, flowing down
So I waded in that river
And lay me down
In the cool
Water washing over me
Wash the blood off of my hands
Help me blinded hear to see
Ask the holy ghosts to come and
Drive the demons out of me
River, might river
Rolling down
Rolling home
To where the water meets the sky
Burdened with my sins
Burdened with my sorrows
Take the darkness of my past
Give me hope for new tomorrow
River, might river
Rolling down
Rolling home
To where the water meets the sky
Let the scales fall from my eyes
Heal the wounds I made in anger
Take my price and jealousy
Wash me clean in your mercy
River, might river/might river, rolling down
The lyrics to Vusi Mahlasela's song "Mighty River" tell a story of redemption and transformation. The singer expresses his yearning for guidance from above, waiting for "voices from the sky" to come to him. He finds himself wandering lost in the desert on "hard and stony ground", until he stumbles upon a powerful river flowing towards its destination. The river represents a force of nature that he feels compelled to join, wading in it and allowing the cool water to wash over him, cleansing him of his past mistakes and sorrows. The river holds a sacred power that has the ability to heal and renew his spirit, as he calls on the "holy ghosts" to drive away his inner demons.
The singer is burdened by the weight of his sins and sorrow, but the river provides a path to new beginnings. He seeks to be freed from his past transgressions, and having been cleansed by the river, he asks for his eyes to be opened and his wounds to be healed. He calls on the river to take away his anger, pride, and jealousy, asking for mercy to wash him clean. The river brings him hope for a better tomorrow and the possibility of starting anew.
Overall, "Mighty River" is a song about the transformative power of nature and the inner journey towards self-discovery and redemption.
Line by Line Meaning
I was watching, I was waiting
I was patiently observing and anticipating
For a sign
For a clear and meaningful indication
I was waiting
I was staying in expectation
For voices from the sky
For divine guidance and direction
In the desert I was wandering
I was aimlessly traveling through a harsh and barren land
Oh hard and stony ground
I was surrounded by tough and rough terrain
When I came upon a rive
At last, I stumbled upon a flowing body of water
That was rolling homeward bound
That was steadily and surely heading towards its final destination
River, might river
A river of great significance and power
Mighty river, flowing down
An immense river that is constantly moving downward
So I waded in that river
I walked slowly and carefully into the water
And lay me down
And settled myself comfortably
In the cool
In the refreshing and soothingly cold
Water washing over me
The water cleansing my body and soul
Wash the blood off of my hands
Cleanse me of my past wrongdoings
Help me blinded hear to see
Assist me despite my blindness to become aware and conscious
Ask the holy ghosts to come and
Request for the spirits of the divine to appear and assist
Drive the demons out of me
Remove my inner demons, my negative traits and understandings
Rolling home
Continuing its journey towards its final destination
To where the water meets the sky
To the point where the water's horizon meets the heavens
Burdened with my sins
Weighed down by my past misdeeds
Burdened with my sorrows
Overwhelmed with my grief and pain
Take the darkness of my past
Remove the shadows and negativity of my history
Give me hope for new tomorrow
Provide me with the confidence and optimism for a brighter future
Let the scales fall from my eyes
Enable me to clearly and honestly see my surroundings
Heal the wounds I made in anger
Repair the emotional and physical hurt I caused in my anger
Take my price and jealousy
Eliminate my selfishness and envy
Wash me clean in your mercy
Purify me through your compassionate and forgiving nature
Writer(s): Vusi Sydney Mahlasela Copyright: Vusimuzi Music
Contributed by Anna B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Vusile Mathebula
on Yithi Masotsha
Rich with African philosophy