Not even a global pandemic could stop the Ottawa Catholic School Board Children’s Choir from spreading joy through their music. The choir pivoted from in-person rehearsals to producing a virtual recording of “Sisi ni Moja.” The song “we are one” in Swahili was first performed live for the St. Joe’s Supper Table Concert in March. “The lyrics are hopeful for the future…the song’s message is a powerful reminder of hope for the world today”, said Carla MacGregor, OCSB Choir Director and music teacher from St. Mark High School.
The pandemic stopped future live concerts for the time being. Carla says they chose to find new and exciting ways to share the gift of music, and now the virtual recording can be enjoyed by people around the world.
As we wrap up one of the most unusual school years of our time, receive this song of hope from our Ottawa Catholic School Board choir as a reminder that we are all in this together.
SISI NI MOJA LYRICS
We all laugh, we all cry, we all feel hunger, we all feel pain.
We all love, we all hate, we all hope, and we all dream.
We are one world, one people. And we all breathe the same.
A tribe of many languages, a group of many heartaches,
fighting for peace among the land.
Heja ……We are one.
We all want, we all cry, we all feel hunger, we all feel joy.
We all bruise, we all scar, we all fail, but learn to thrive.
We are one world, one people. And we all breathe the same.
In the darkness of the night and in the glory of the morning,
we walk along the path and find our way.
Heja ….. We are one.
Now we stand here together and lift our hearts in song
to the rhythm of this moment in our lives:
Heja ….. We are one.