7. Lo Yisa Goy

Israel: Traditional ARR. TRACY McDONNELL

I first encountered this lesser-known version of Lo Yisa Goy in a songbook by Libana, the New England women’s ensemble specializing in songs from around the world. Though basically a simple round, its plaintive melody inspired an SATB arrangement with an addition of the coda in English, in Isaiah’s powerful words: Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, nor shall they learn of war anymore. We have sometimes been asked why we sing this song, since no one in our typical assembly speaks Hebrew; among other things, we think it healthy to honor our liturgical ancestors as well as to remind one another from time to time that Jesus was indeed Jewish! May that shalom which surpasses understanding continue to be our comfort and our strength, on earth as it is in heaven!

Middle East: Composer Unknown ARR. TRACY McDONNELL & GANTT KUSHNER

We were greatly blessed to learn this haunting refrain from Hani and Rema Assiryani of the Arabic Baptist Church of Washington D.C. on the occasion of an Ecumenical Peace Service for which we collaborated in February 2003. Although performed here as an instrumental interlude, adapted to triple meter, we pray that the spirit of the Arabic text may still be embodied therein: Peace to God’s people everywhere! Special thanks to guitarist (and engineer extraordinaire) Gantt Kushner, without whom this CD would not exist!

East Africa: Traditional ARR. TRACY McDONNELL

A heartfelt Asante! to faithful choir members Julie Sarwatt and Ana Mukami of Tanzania, and Esther Njonge of Kenya, who have so graciously shared with us the treasures of their hymnals from East Africa, as well as pieces not yet published which we have been honored to "debut" at St. Camillus. Among these gems are the lesser-known verses to this spirited setting of Psalm 128, with its beautiful celebration of family life. Our repertoire in Swahili has been greatly enriched thanks to these wonderful women. May God grant you a blessing evermore, wapendwa dada zangu!