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about

Koloi ya Eliya started out as a popular folk song about driving a car, in the 1980s.

The song was then adapted, with new lyrics, as a church chorus about being whisked up Mount Zion
in Elijah's chariot of fire. Note that the dance movement in the B section still mimics driving a car.

Singers of all ages love performing this song. The story-telling hand gestures and lyrical melody line make this an especially suitable piece for young children. Our favorite experience with this song was when we taught the soprano part of Koloi ya Eliya to a group of 4-year old Corsican children, who then joined our tour ensemble in performing it on stage. Another favorite moment of ours was auditioning Chicago Children's Choir tenors for the solo line in the B part—and having an 8-year old boy beat out all of the older singers for the part. (You can hear him on the DVD!)

lyrics

I would also love
to see the angels
on Mount Zion
with all the holy ones
When it roars, it moves
like Elijah's car

credits

from Raising the Bar: Traditional South African Choral Music I, released April 15, 2015

license

all rights reserved

tags

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