Hi friends ~ We’re back! My apologies for the missed link-up last week . . . had some technical issues with this fine website here! Glad to be back in action.
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This week’s FMF writing prompt is: HARMONY
Setting my timer for five minutes, and . . . GO.Â
Last week Thursday, my husband and I got to go to a Ladysmith Blacksmith Mambazo concert.
If you don’t know who I’m talking about, do yourself a favor and listen to them singing Homeless with Paul Simon in the video below:
Since my husband is South African and I lived in Cape Town for ten years, this group holds a special place in our hearts. (In fact, my husband was one of the only people in the audience at last week’s concert who could understand the Zulu lyrics in their songs.) 😉
I learned last week that the current group members are all related to the original Ladysmith Black Mambazo group. There are four brothers currently singing (all sons of the founder), plus two of their children (grandsons of the founder), and a son of another former member.
What struck me most was how beautifully their voices harmonize with each other. They made it look so effortless. Besides the leader of each song, it was nearly impossible to discern who was singing which part (with the exception of some of the occasional sound effects, of course).
It made me think about the body of Christ and how we are each given a different voice, yet called to serve as one body. Each part is crucial, and when it’s done well, nobody will be elevated above the other.
A good lesson for me to remember . . .
STOP.Â
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Psst . . . Speaking of South Africa . . .
Learn more about our family’s story (and South Africa) in my memoir:
A Place to Land: A Story of Longing and Belonging
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Join the link-up with your own five-minute freewrite below, then visit your link-up neighbor to read their post and leave an encouraging comment:Â
Some people sing in harmony,
but those who know me always say
that it is not and can’t be me
with my strident donkey’s bray
that makes the windows rattle
and scares the dogs quite stiff
and stampedes local cattle
over a local cliff,
And the church makes the suggestion
that the congregation bring
some duct tape in case there is a question
that I might try to sing,
and so I do not raise my voice,
which is by far the bestest choice.
Glad to have you back, and glad to be back!! 🙂
That video is amazing. 🙂
Thanks for sharing the link to the song. I just came back to listen to it again, and saved it to my playlist (and looked up the lyrics as well).
“Effortless” harmonies are a gift to behold.