Tiyo Soga - Hymns and Poetry

Hymns and Poetry

One of Soga’s hymns exemplifies his Xhosa heritage by setting the words of Ntsikana’s "Great Hymn" to music. Ntsikana, a Xhosa chief, is remembered as the first important African convert to Christianity. Around 1815, Ntsikana started the first African Christian organization and went on to write four poetic hymns. His "Great Hymn" extols God as creator and redeemer, and still appears with Soga’s music in modern hymnbooks.

Although Ntisikana died before Soga’s birth, Soga was clearly influenced by his predecessor’s poetry and example. Soga’s tribute to Ntsikana includes the lines:

What 'thing' Ntsikana, was't that prompted thee To preach to thy dark countrymen beneath yon tree'? What sacred vision did the mind enthral, Whil'st thou lay dormant in thy cattle kraal?

Soga’s "Bell Hymn", used to call worshippers together, is also based on a Ntisikana poem. African poet and playwright H. I. E. Dhlomo’s play The Girl Who Killed to Save: Nongqause the Liberator incorporates the music of the Bell Hymn.

The character of Soga himself appears at the end of the play, heralded by other characters singing another of Soga’s hymns, "Fulfill Your Promise." This hymn was sung long after Soga’s death, to open the first meeting of the South African Native National Congress in 1912. "Fulfill Your Promise" may also have inspired the African National Congress anthem, "God Bless Africa". Soga wrote the hymn in July 1857, when he returned to Africa. The last verse of "Fulfill Your Promise" may be translated as:

O Lord, bless The teachings of our land; Please revive us That we may restore goodness.