About Kufungira Matemai:
I have been thinking about my teacher, mentor, and good friend Matemai who I have studied mbira with since 1998. He passed away in 2021 and this is a song based on the last mbira song I learned from him.
Lyrics:
The days were long
We sat upon the wind
Chasing down the sounds
That came to you.
Some like concrete
Some like the morning dew.
Seemed there'd always be a song,
Those nights that never end
You know they'll stay open
Till the last one stands.
The people all gather just to watch you play.
Some just drunken fools,
But some hit like they'd seen God.
Shamwari Wafa, ewe
Pasi Panodya
Hariguti, sahwira-we
(My friend, you have died,
The earth eats and is never full)
Now we must stand strong
Thanks to you, my friend.
Our hands the same,
Let my voice be true.
Now the years like days
Masese fill our cup
Kuombera kwangu, ndiri po
Kufungira Matemai, Changamire!
Ipapo!
Kufungira Matemai!
Kwa Chitungwisa
Kwa Zengeza
Matemai, Nzou Samanyanga!
Track Credits:
Composed and produced by Joel Laviolette
Mixed by Joel Laviolette
Metadata:
Song Title: Kufungira Matemai
ISRC Code: QMDF82300001
BPM: 160~
Length: 3:53
Artist: Joel Laviolette
Composer: Joel Laviolette
Publisher: Joel Laviolette Publishing
Cleared For Licensing: no