Tuesday, March 20, 2012

I Bid You Goodnight


Music has the power to evoke strong emotions in us. I think most of us realize that the emotions can be good or they can be bad.  Today I want to share the music of a wonderful group from South Africa, the grammy award winning Soweto Gospel Choir.

This group is coming to my city on April 7th.  I  wanted to attend but hesitated spending the funds for a ticket.

Then I learned of someone selling a ticket to the event.  She can no longer attend the concert because her workplace suddenly approved her holiday and she only has a limited window of opportunity to travel to Europe.  Though she isn't selling her ticket at a reduced price she has one of the best seats in the venue where the concert will take place. Because of the circumstances of how I came to know about the ticket and where the seat is located, I really felt God saying it was okay for me to spend the funds to go listen and be uplifted by the inspired music of the choir and also to support them.  The choir members all come from churches in the South West Townships of Johannesburg.  I've made arrangements to pick up my ticket on Monday and I'm eagerly anticipating the concert.

In the meantime, I'm listening to this wonderful choir through youtube videos. They have many wonderful songs on video, but the one I've posted really touched my heart. The man who sings it has such a sweet voice and hearing him brought tears to my eyes.  Of course the acapella singers who join him in song just add to the intensity and beauty of the song.  I hope you like it too.

After you've listened to this song, please say a prayer for Edwin who is fighting leukemia.
You can learn more about his story by clicking on the highlighted words in the previous sentence.

The Soweto Gospel Choir is touring in North America up until the end of April. I encourage you to try and attend one of their concerts.  I know you will be so blessed by their wonderful harmonies.  If you hesitate like I do to spend money on yourself or on entertainment but you actually have means, please consider attending a concert by this choir. They will "blow your socks off" with their amazing harmonies and wonderful spirit. I've learned too that the Soweto Gospel Choir raises money for multiple charities and is doing stupendous work to better lives in many communities all around the GLOBE (see here for more information).

 I've done some research on the Soweto Gospel Choir's website and learned that the lead singer in this video is Shimmy Jiyane, Choreographer, Choir Master, Tenor, and Dancer.

I BID YOU GOODNIGHT


Lay down my dear brother, lay down and take your rest
I want to lay your head upon your savior's breast
I love you, but Jesus loves you best
I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight

Lay down my dear brother, lay down and take your rest
I want to lay your head upon your savior's breast
I love you, but Jesus loves you best
I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight

One of these mornings bright and early and soon, goodnight
Now they're pickin' up the spirit to the shore beyond, goodnight
Go walking in the valley of the shadow of death, goodnight
He's riding a staff, gonna comfort me, goodnight
Join the wise, there's a soul to find, goodnight
Lord send a fire, not a flood next time, goodnight
To leave for the ark, that wonderful boat, goodnight
She really loaded down, getting water to float, goodnight
Now pray for the beast at the ending of the world, goodnight
He loved the children that would not be good, goodnight
I remember rather well, I remember right well, goodnight
I went walking to Jerusalem just like John
Goodnight, goodnight, goodnight

Lay down my dear brother, lay down and take your rest
I wanna lay your head upon your saviors breast
I love you, but Jesus loves you best
I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight


I end with some beautiful scenes of the English Bay area in downtown Vancouver. I was there on the weekend enjoying the company of many ladies over tea and scones.




I'm linking up today with On My Heart Tuesday and Our World Tuesday
Please pop by these sites and enjoy the posts.

28 comments:

Fred Alton said...

Absolutely wonderful experience to hear this choir. Thanks very much for posting this, Joyful! Gave me great joy tonight.

Joyful said...

I'm so glad you liked it Fred. I am just so overjoyed when I hear this choir sing.

Linda said...

Oh, what a treat! Their voices are so rich and their message so precious. Thank you for sharing that with us.

Linda

Denise said...

Sounds like a heavenly choir. Thanks for sharing, prayers continue for Edwin. I love you.

Clara Turbay said...

I celebrate the good ideas i find here every time.

Kay L. Davies said...

I'm so pleased for you, Penny. You will be one of the most appreciative people in the audience, I'm sure. And yes, prayers continue for Edwin.
K

Shanda said...

Beautiful choir. Love the harmony

Diane said...

I have heard the Soweto choir when in Jhb, sadly I cannot play videos on my computer as the connection is too slow. Love the pictures of the bay at Vancouver, it looks beautiful. Diane

clairz said...

I was so happy to see the photos of English Bay, although it looks quite cold right now. I have such nice memories of time spent there.

Gattina said...

What a beautiful place this bay !

Joyful said...

Thanks so much with your prayers, Denise! I love you too.

Joyful said...

Wonderful to hear. Thank you for your visit.

Joyful said...

I'm looking forward to it Kay. I've invited a friend if she isn't too busy with church activities leading up to Easter. Thank you for praying for Edwin.

Joyful said...

Thank you for dropping by, Shanda.

Joyful said...

Wonderful that you heard the choir, live, Diane. That is so much better than video. I'm glad you enjoyed the photos. Vancouver really is a beautiful city.

Joyful said...

Hi Clair, the English Bay is always so beautiful. It did get a bit chilly down there after I snapped these photos.

Joyful said...

Thank you, Gattina. It really is beautiful.

momto8 said...

I think my whole family would be inspired by listening to this choir!
your pictures are fabulous too!

Joyful said...

Thank you momto8. I think your entire family would love this group. I've seen other videos where they sing and dance in the SA languages of the tribes. Very beautiful, inspiring and energetic.

Anonymous said...

Ah yes - this is one of my favourite choirs!

Lovely misty shots of Vancouver.

A Woman that Fears the Lord said...

Beautiful pictures. You have a good 'eye' for pictures. I wish I did. I have a nice camera but I never like how my pictures turn out. Do you use a program to clean up your pictures?

Thanks for stopping by my post. You have been blessed to visit Africa.

Anonymous said...

Love the music, Penny. Enjoy the concert! Very excited for you.

Joyful said...

I'm glad you know of the choir. They are wonderful :-) I'm also glad you like the photos of my city's waterfront.

Joyful said...

Thank you for the compliment. I try to frame the photos before I shoot them but sometimes need to crop them. On a rarer occasion I may adjust the exposure as we tend to have a lot of cloud here. I do feel blessed to have visited Africa and hope I get a chance to go again.

Joyful said...

Thank you so much! I am excited too.

Brenda Green said...

Penny,
Thank-you so much for sharing with your readers this beautiful group. I went to this web sight and was blown away. I loved the singing, the out fits and the words. just beautiful. Also, the photos are great! you sure do a great job.
Be Blessed. me

♥ my diary♥ said...

nice post thanks for sharing...blessings soraya

issatchieu said...

Beautiful bay at vancouver. My sis lives at Ajax, toronto & ontario lake was jus as awesome as this one!
Sweet song & lyric...
Thanks for ur well wishes :) Yes i m in the midst of preparations.
U have a great one too.

xx

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