MIRIAM MAKEBA SINGS NGQOTHWANE – The Vampire's Wife

MIRIAM MAKEBA SINGS NGQOTHWANE My husband received this little note and recommendation from Kat from Australia in his Red Hand Files. A lovely, joyous ‘wedding’ song, known as the ‘Click Song’ from the South African singer, songwriter and activist, Miriam Makeba. What a treasure! Love Susie. x

I stumbled upon this today and thought of Susie, and you. Sadness is overcome by the Happiness found in the small things. Love, Kat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjo8h5qLpU0

In my native village, in Johannesburg

There is a song that we always sing

When a young girl gets married

It's called The Click Song by the English

Because they can't say ngqothwane

Igqira lendlela nguqo ngqothwane

Igqira lendlela kuthwa nguqo ngqothwane

Igqirha lendlela nguqo ngqothwane

Seleqabele gqi thapha nguqo ngqothwane

Selequbule gqi thapha nguqo ngqothwane

Seleqabele gqi thapha nguqo ngqothwane

Selequbule gqi thapha nguqo ngqothwane

Igqira lendlela nguqo ngqothwane

Igqira lendlela kuthwa nguqo ngqothwane

Igqirha lendlela nguqo ngqothwane

Seleqabele gqi thapha nguqo ngqothwane

Selequbule gqi thapha nguqo ngqothwane

Seleqabele gqi thapha nguqo ngqothwane

Selequbule gqi thapha nguqo ngqothwane

THE CARNIVAL IS OVER

I have just a simple song for you all from 1967, all the way from Australia (where my husband is), by The Seekers. I love this song, melancholy but so stirring, and Judith Durham, dressed in what looks like something from the archives of The Vampire’s Wife, is so touching. It is a song full of tears about the end of things and love’s enduring presence. We adore this song here at The Vampire’s Wife.

TIME AFTER TIME, LITTLE JIMMY SCOTT

Look at this heart-breaking piece of film of Little Jimmy Scott singing Time After Time and giving his thoughts on what a song is meant to be. He is a vast talent and a beautiful man; we met him at my husband’s Meltdown Festival in London in 1999.

TO DIE BY YOUR SIDE

I heard this wonderful version of The Smiths classic song "There is a Light That Never Goes Out" by the brilliantly ebullient Dum Dum Girls on the DJ Lonny’s amazing Cover to Cover on Radio Lewes this week. What a great show! What a superb song! What a joyful cover! ‘To die by your side is pleasure and a privilege’ indeed!