Singing Down the Bay

Hala lala layya

Hala lala layya is a Lebanese Arabic folk song of love and friendship. This song is part of the ‘Celebration suite’ – a themed collection of songs which recognise and promote the rich culture and linguistically diverse population of Wales – This collection was made possible by the support of the Welsh Government.

Mo Li Hua
This is a well-known song in China.  It is originally from the Qing Dynasty. There are many versions of this song throughout China, but this is considered the standard version.

Mō Lì Huā was sung in the opening ceremonies of the Beijing 2008 Olympics.  As well, Celine Dion and Song Zuying performed a version of this song.

Translation
Beautiful jasmine flower
Beautiful jasmine flower
Sweet-smelling, beautiful, stems full of buds
Fragrant and white, everyone praises
Let me pluck you down to give to someone
Jasmine flower, jasmine flower

Athandwe Hamba Wena

A beautiful song which depicts a love story. The song is sung in the South African Language Zulu and is a part of the musical genre ‘Gwijo’
Gwijo is a practice of collective singing deeply embedded in South African Xhosa culture that takes the form of call and response (“I say something//You say something; I hear you//You hear me; We’re in dialogue together”). Because Gwijo uses no instruments (other than human voices), it could be described as a cappella. Gwijo songs have traditionally been sung by the amaXhosa people of South Africa to accompany weddings, funerals, initiations, and other sacred moments and rites of passage.

Translation
My love, tomorrow I must depart.
My Love, I will call you
My love, I will always be thinking of you.

Thank you to all of our wonderful performers for taking part in this wonderful project. As well as the wonderful support and encouragement in undertaking this challenge from the teachers at St Pauls, St Marys and Tredegarville C.I.W Primary Schools.

Performers

St Marys the Virgin C.I.W Primary School

Tredegarville C.I.W Primary School

St Pauls C.I.W Primary School

Simran Varanasi

The Aloud Charity
Craig Yates
Iori Haugen
Rhys Archer
Joshua Liam Jones