because it’s lovely …
Stellenbosch University Choir
DIE DONKER (The Dark)
Two Afrikaans Songs
Arranged by André van der Merwe
Die Gang – Christopher Torr
(Publisher: Christopher Torr Music)
As performed by Laurika Rauch
Klein Tambotieboom – Die Heuwels Fantasties
Sound Engineer: Dr Gerhard Roux
Video Production: Regardt Visser
Choir Management: US Woordfees – sing@sun.ac.za
English Translation:
DIE GANG (The Corridor):
In the dark corridor I saw a light, but the flame was delicate and frail.
I yearned for springtime on my uncle’s farm without electricity.
My aunt said, “My child, my child, love and moths are blind.”
The flame is delicate and frail, and like a thief it can disappear in the night.
Deep within the corridor I yearned for something.
The wind was singing that spring would bring love.
I could hear the day withering – it was only the sun disappearing.
And as certain as the earth that turns, a cock would crow again.
One evening the night turned to day as the storm erupted with all its force.
And I hid in the corridor, because I was afraid of the electricity.
KLEIN TAMBOTIEBOOM (a farm in the Limpopo Province of South Africa):
When the shadows come to fetch me, and when the good Lord does not look out for me,
when the ozone layer perishes
and falls into a chandelier of stars,
lay my heart to rest in Klein Tambotieboom and scatter my ashes across the Bushveld horizon.
