This South African song won Best Global Music Performance at the Grammys 2023.
Sang by ‘Jerusalema’ queen, Nomcebo Zikode with Wouter Kellerman on the flutes and Keyboardist, Zakes Bantwini, Bayethe is a song where “we are giving praise to God and ask him to help us lighten the load that we carry and bring happiness and freedom.” As said by the artists
The song’s YouTube video debuted on 13th October 2022, and has attracted under 300k views so far.
Full lyrics of Bayethe by Nomcebo Zikode, Wouter Kellerman & Zakes Bantwini is below, with translation and meaning
Watch the YouTube video here.
Intro
Bayethe – Hail to the Highest
Bayethe
[Flute instrumental]
Verse 1
Bayakhala abantu bakho – Your people are calling upon to you
Ukuthuthula emhlabeni wakho akukho – There’s no peace in this world
Amanxeba aqcwele umzimba wonke – Our bodies are scared
Kunyama Baba khanyisa – There’s darkness lord, bring forth your light
Bacela ukuthula emzipilweni zobo – They’re asking for peace to reign in their lives
Kuhleli kumnyama empilweni zabo – Their lives are filled with darkness (hardships)
Chorus
Bayethe wenna we Zulu (Wena we Zulu) – Hail to the King
Bayethe wenna we Zulu
Bayethe wenna we Zulu (Wena we Zulu)
Bayethe wenna we Zulu
Post Chorus
Uzunga– Dont’ Leave
Inkosi yami – My Lord
IThemba lami (Uzungabashiyi) – My trust
Amandla ami – My strength
Hamba nabo – Be with them
Inkosi yami
IThemb lami (Uzunga)
Amandla ami
Uzungabashiyi – Don’t leave them
Refrain
Hamba nabo
Hamba nabo
Hamba nabo
Chorus
Bayethe – Hail to the Highest
Hamb nabo – Be with them
Bayethe – Hail to the King
Bayethe wena we Zulu
Bayethe wena we Zulu (wena we Zulu)
Bayethe wena we Zulu
Bayethe wena we Zulu (wena we Zulu)
Post chorus
Uzunga
Uzungabashiyi
Hamba nabo
Uzunga
Uzungabashiyi
Hamba nabo
Outro
Bayethe
Bayethe
[Flute instrumental]