The music of Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru, in her own words.
ETHIOPIQUES 21 (2006)
The compilation that introduced Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru to the world.
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“The homeless wanderer plays on his flute, while he worries about the wilderness around his life. At night in the mountains, when people and animals rest after the day, one hears the song of a flute which the little wanderer plays, alone and far from home. The wild animals and snakes do not dare approach him, but listen spellbound to the melody his flute produces, which becomes its protector through the power of the notes. This he loses his fear of the nocturnal visitors. They become his friends.”
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“Dedicated to my beloved brother, Assayehegne, who died in a car accident at the age of 18. The last sentence of my composition expresses my deep sorrow. My heart will weep for him all my life.”
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“A young girl complains about the hardships of life. Her sister’s words can give her no comfort. She experiences her tears as a relief from her sorrow.”
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“This designation for my composition goes back to a remark my sister made, which when she heard this piece told me that in this music there are the sounds of reverberations of the laughter of a madman.”
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“The presentiment of a heavy stroke of fate. Composed two years before the death of my youngest brother, Assayehegn.”
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“Dedicated to my very dear late mother memory Emahoy Kassaye Yelemtou and her beloved son Lieutenant Meshesha Guebrou fallen as a victim of the Italian War. Everyone knows how Mother’s love is sacrificing itself for the welfare and happiness of the children. Indeed! Mother’s heart is a Fortress of Love.”
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“Was composed by the request of my eldest sister, Dr. Senedou Guebru, who at that time was the director of Empress Menen boarding school, only for girls, for the end of the year and before the summer vacation she arranged great festivities, in the presence of His Majesty the Emperor Haile Selassie with his family, ministers and the students parents.
I was a nun and I didn't want to play in front of people so she arranged a curtain, so people might not see me. This melody was composed especially for a school play that my sister wrote for these festivities in memory of young soldiers who were shot by fascists, during the invasion of Ethiopia.
The play was called "The Book of my Heart".
It is dedicated to my youngest brother, Meshesha Guebru, who was killed by the Fascists at the age of 18.”
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“Dedicated to the noble memory of my dear father: His Excellency Kentiba Guebrou Desta. The melody of this piece was inspired by a childhood strong impression that lingered in my mind for a whole lifetime. As a child of six years old journeying on a big Paquebot (ship) with my eldest sister W.Senedou Gebrou, we were lying on deck-chairs at the deck of the ship because inside the cabin it was too hot. The sight of the full moon shining on the deep blue cloudless sky, her silvery rays sparkling on the sea waves that looked like a moving silver field, the waves under the soft blow of the wind chasing one after another: that beautiful impressive picture remained stamped in my childish mind, even later in life the sea always had a special attraction to me. Listen…..taking you on her waves on an afar journey….”
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“The name itself reminds every Christian of the holy meaning. This is the place where Jesus Christ died on the cross so that we may live eternally in His Glorious Kingdom.”
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“Background! The river flowing relates the sad stories of its surrounding drama.”
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“The beautiful and silent Garden where Jesus Christ suffered betrayal by one of his disciples.”
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“With blessing to my dear nieces Meskerem Assefa and Aster Assefa.”
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“With blessings to my dear sister Guennet Guebrou and dear daughter Yewbdar Yilma. You know the wind goes around the world and has so many stories to tell…On your leisure hours sit in your garden and listen his story as he is passing by…you will enjoy it.”
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“With blessings to my dear sister W. Senedou Guebrou, and daughter Goh-Alem Assefa, that brings with him vanishing remembrance…”
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“With blessings to my dear nieces Konjit Yilma and Edele Yilma and Family. Song: Why those tears in your eyes? Cheer up, for you are so young…”
JERUSALEM (2023)
A reissue of recorded songs not included on Ethiopiques 21. Initially included on The Visionary (2012).
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“Dedicated to the memory of my brother-in-law General Kebbede Gebre and his wife, my dear sister, Desta Gebru. Being at the disaster site with a group of volunteers of the Red Cross, together with my sister W. Desta Gebru, I could be an eyewitness of the famine disaster tragedy of 1972: Skeleton mothers left skinny and bony with the deadly shadow look, holding in their bony arms their half dead child starving from hunger, helpless to receive food extended to him, his closed mouth too weak to open, his lifeless eyes gazing and fixing at you was a terri[ble] sight to endure, an unforget[table] image of human suffering. Back at our hotel in Dessie, my sister Desta felt sick of sorrow and couldn’t touch food for three days, as she was of a most kind, generous nature; as for myself, I was so deeply shocked I couldn’t sleep, and their miserable phantom images were a nightmare for many weeks on, and from that disastrous event came out this melody that expresses the drama of helpless starving souls...”
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“When visiting Bonn, all admirers of this great master will understand what I felt - the deep feeling one has while standing in the room where two centuries ago one of the greatest geniuses had lived. His violin, hispiano, his organ... even fragments of his hand writing... is very moving. The sight of the hearing aid he used in his early stages of deafness is very touching. The melody drawn from all these impressions.”
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“The Ancient Holy City––where war tragedy left its traces ... The wind whispers faint words of a child’s voice asking for his daddy ... who will never come back.”
“Jerusalem is dedicated to my dear niece Aster Dawit, daughter of Colonel Dawit Guebru. Jerusalem is deeply loved by all Ethiopians, being the cradle of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo faith since the time of Queen Sheba’s visit to King Solomon of Jerusalem. The Holy City Jerusalem, that had centuries of tragedies that have been recorded.”
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“On the endless sky twinkling stars are fading one by one. The dawn of a spring morning wakes up nature, and from all over the earth arise praises to the Lord, joined by the gay songs of the birds.”
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“Is dedicated to my dear nieces Ko njit (Tenku) Yilma and Edele Yilma and all her dear family. The Sea is a symbol of life and sailors symbol of all mankind. In time of hurricane O Lord please calm the fury stretching Thy Arm and give courage to the sailors, saving us from destruction.”
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“Dedicated to Kebert Woizero Zeleka Zeleke (wife of the late Assayehegn) and their son, Daniel Assefa, and his family. The song is about Assayehegn, who went out one early morning and hadn’t returned. That refers to his tragic end, as he died in a car crash on his way back home.”
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“The rainbow is a the symbol of hope for peace during a time of war. Dedicated to my nephew, Tamrat Kebbede, and [his wife] Eileen. Dark, grey clouds run away, fleeing the darkened sky forecasting the approach of a violent storm. But suddenly appears on the sky the beautiful rainbow as to remember the covenant of Noah: the sign of mercy.”
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“It was on a cloudy day. Outside it was raining. Without any reason I was depressed. I opened the piano and began to improvise. As the improvisation was going on, suddenly I was aware of a shadow at my window, turning slowly my head I saw my brother Woigaye standing outside careless of the rain watching and listening [to] my improvisation. His beautiful black silky hairs were wet with rain, from his big black eyes tears were running down on his cheeks mixed with the rain drops, I stopped [playing] and prayed him to not stand under the rain, with a faint sad smile, he said: “I was on the road-side listening to your music, and I came to tell you that it is beautiful and one of your best composition[s], and I am asking you to dedicate it to me.” Hiding under a smile the pain I felt to see him so miserable and sad, I replied, “With great pleasure,” and again prayed him to come in out of the rain. “Thank you,” he said, and as he came silently, walked away silently. [A] few months later he died. Maybe the anxiety and sorrow expressed in the music was the cause of the afar presentiment of his death.”
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“Dedicated to my dear nieces, Rachel-Nina Assefa and Rachel-Titi Kebbede Walzer, her dear husband, and children Ariel, Danny the violinist and cellist Saba (Jackie) Walzer. Indeed, it is always sad to leave one’s home and country to go afar and live in a strange land.”
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“Dedicated to dear Hanna Mariam Kebbede Gebre, principal founder and president of ETM Foundation in Virginia with the cooperation of Daniel Assefa, Lucy Gebre-Egziabher, Ato Alula Kebbede of Voice of America, Ato Attamenta Tsege son of late General Tsege Dibu and the first Vice President of the Foundation. The pilgrim on life’s weary way sings, saying: ‘Heavenly Father, chase the night and let shine thy Light.’”
SOUVENIRS (2024)
Songs originally written by Emahoy in the 70s and 80s, first self-recorded and released by Emahoy in 2013, then remastered and widely distributed in 2024.
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LYRICS:
Clouds moving on the sky
Clouds moving on the sky
My heart has never stopped missing home
Crow of the sky,
let me ask you for news
Let me ask, have you returned
from my beloved country?
The sun set
before I started Fikare
God don’t call me home
before I’m saved
The book of Psalms says turn my eye
from worthless things
Why are we condemned to be
tangled in the sins of others?
Why are we condemned?
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LYRICS:
I decided to leave
I’ve packed provisions for my journey
A matter of destiny
What do I know?
Across this Nile
is there another Nile?
Aren’t death and
separation the same?
See the potter over there
Does she eat or does she fast?
Who could have revealed to her the secret
that the body is clay and returns to soil
Where you live,
is it sunny or cloudy?
I will come
I wouldn’t resist
I wouldn’t resist
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LYRICS:
Where you live
is it sunny or cloudy?
I will come
I wouldn’t resist
Across the Nile,
Is there another Nile?
I didn’t go to my country,
didn’t see Ethiopia
When I looked out
past the clouds
I couldn’t see my country’s sky
I couldn’t see
my country’s sky
Have I really
gone so far?
My country’s water,
don’t stand still
Maybe I will drink from you
when I return
My country’s water
cascading over cliffs
Don’t flow far,
my heart can’t bear it
Let my eyes tell you
how I missed you
You will see them
carrying water (repeat)
My country,
oh my country, (repeat)
Wouldn’t anyone cry
Hurt, spoken to badly
So far from home
I will ask for your country
I will come to you
How long should I worry
about you? (repeat)
My country’s waters,
don’t stand still
Maybe I will drink from you
when I return
I want to drink from you
when I come back to you
My country’s water,
come close to us
My country’s water,
always tame and tranquil (repeat)
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LYRICS:
Why are you saddened?
Your eyes are full of tears
What happened sister?
What made you sad?
Please smile,
let go of your sorrow
You are still young
Alas! Childhood won’t
come back
You have no control
Let it go with love
Let it go with love
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LYRICS:
Ethiopia my motherland,
let no one challenge you
Your border is defended
by your brave children
When death troubles me
September came with Adey flowers
How beautiful are
the rivers and the ridges
Fields are rolling
in green velvet
The trees are draped
in yellow and red
Oh Addis Ababa
Oh my country
Could a country be missed
like a person?
Why do you call it Begemidir,
my countrymen?
Is it not all of Ethiopia
our shared homeland?
Peace be upon you,
my country’s soldier
Protector of our
country’s border
Peace be upon you,
my country’s laborer
Our nation develops
with you organized effort
Peace be upon you,
our proud farmer
Your fresh produce
satisfies the heart
Peace be upon you
my country’s scholar
Who works hard
to educate all
The port guard
Watching our coast
Peace be upon you,
Oh sailor
Your legs don’t collapse
under the distance
Hunger and thirst
don’t make you give up
The lord of the border
who makes us proud
Greetings to you, my country’s soldier
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Where is the highway
of thought?
Does it have a place
Above the clouds?
Above the clouds…
Thought, when you travel in the air
Thought, when you travel
In the airless network
You make your flesh jealous
When your friend, your flesh,
Departs you in death
Let me ask you,
Where is your home then?
Where is your home?
Thought, who are you?
Thought, who are you?
You never get tired
No matter how far you travel
you never run out of ways
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LYRICS:
You went overseas
to complete your studies
You have obligations,
don’t forget your country
Before months
become years,
come back quickly with
the torch of knowledge
The student is engaged
and needs a scholar
Mother Ethiopia
is waiting for you
You went overseas to
complete your studies
You have obligations,
don’t forget your country
Teaching after learning
is the fruit of education
Our nation’s literacy campaign
made history
When the young, the elderly,
and men walk together
It is a great pride
for the comrade who taught them
The desire for education
took you out of your country
My brothers and sisters,
you have to think
One of your duties
is to share your knowledge
Don’t let your bright mind
forget this
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Like the sun shines on meadows
Cliffs and mountains
My Lord, let your light shine
Let doubt turn to dust
Let the resurrection rays
Shine everywhere
Let the believers rejoice with you
Don’t forget their suffering
Today is the greatest holiday
We are all spared from eternal death
Oh, everyone got a day of salvation
The fearful are dinner of the angel of death
Let’s sing together
For he gave us eternal life
Let us all be led by truth
For we become God’s children
The road of wisdom is beautiful,
Paved with love, peace and togetherness
It bursts with golden flowers
And rolling greens
Being good, spice of life
Virgin Mary, our medicine
The substance of life we find in you
Defeating death with victory
Because of his death
We got heavenly Jerusalem
She gave us the heavens
On the day of resurrection
CHURCH OF KIDANE MEHRET (2025)
Originally self-released in 1972.
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“Hail, Thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women. With this salutation the Archangel Gabriel announced. to the holy Virgin Mary that by the power of the Holy Ghost she would bring to the world the Saviour Emmanuel, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Here the intention of the composer is not only to pay hommage to the blessed Virgin Mary, but also – in the second part of the song – to solicit her prayers and protection for frail mankind.”
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“Let us join the Psalmist in his beautiful Ps. 19. With blessing to my dear niece, Meskerem.”
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“Jesus is nailed to the Cross. Music inspired by the Way of the Cross as a whole. Our Lord Jesus Christ, being the Greatest of the great, humbled Himself till death for love of mankind. On that day of the Crucifixion even heaven and earth mourned their Creator: darkness covered the land…the earth trembled…the veil of the Temple was torn in two…but the death of Jesus Christ was only to defeat the angel of death and give us eternal life on the day of Resurrection.”
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“I was glad when they said unto me / Let us go to the House of the Lord / Our feet shall stand within thy gate, O Jerusalem: / Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. / They shall prosper that love thee. /
Kyrie eleison, Kyrie eleison…
Peace be within this walls / And prosperity within thy walls / And prosperity within thy palaces. / For my brethren and companions’ sake / I will now say, / Peace be within thee, Peace be within thee. / Because of the House of the Lord our God, / I will seek thy good.
Kyrie eleison, Kyrie eleison…