Learning Shona Through Music: "Mdhara Vachauya"

🎶 WandinzwaTo hear; feel; understand. ndichidaidziraTo shout. dhiya

"You hear me calling, dear"

🎶 Ndikati dai wambotarisaTo look; watch. nguvaTime; period or duration.

"I wish you'd keep an eye on the time"

🎶 Nekuti zvimwe pamwe mhepoWind; the perceptible natural movement of the air. ichauyaTo come.

"Because maybe a sudden wind might rise"

🎶 Asi rambaTo refuse; deny permission or agreement. uchingopenya kunge zuvaSun, the celestial body shining rays of light upon the earth • Day. Each of the twenty-four-hour periods, reckoned from one midnight to the next, into which a week, month, or year is divided, and corresponding to a rotation of the earth on its axis.

"But keep on shining like the sun"

🎶 Vakanetsa unoti mdara vachauya ahaa

"They cause trouble—you'll say the old man will come, ah-ha"

🎶 Mudhara wacho ishumbaLion. inorumaTo bite; to cut with the teeth. ahaa

"That man's a lion—his bite is real, ah-ha"

🎶 Unyerere uchingoshaina ahaa

"Hush now and keep on glowing, ah-ha"

🎶 Unyerere uchingoshaina ahaa

"Hush now and keep on glowing, ah-ha"

🎶 KangomaDrum; percussion instrument. kadii kakede-kede aiwa tambaTo dance; play.

"Little drum, how sweet—come on, dance"

🎶 Chirega kurambaTo refuse; deny permission or agreement. uchingonanaira kunge kambaPolice camp; a place where police are stationed. • Tortoise; a slow-moving land reptile with a shell.

"Stop resisting, stop clinging like a tortoise"

🎶 KamotoFire. kerudoLove; a strong feeling of affection. kamberevere musazokadzima

"This little flame of love flickers—don't ever put it out"

🎶 Vanosara vachingoringa ringa ndanovhimaTo hunt.

"Let the others circle and stare—me, I'm hunting (I pursue)"

🎶 Kuti dzive nganoFolk tale; traditional story.

"So this becomes a tale to tell"

🎶 Haiwa isungano

"No—it's a covenant"

🎶 Ichi chirangano

"This is a vow"

🎶 Chibvumirano

"An agreement of hearts"

🎶 VanozivaTo know. kuti mdara vachauya ahaa

"They know the old man will come, ah-ha"

🎶 Mudhara wacho ishumbaLion. inorumaTo bite; to cut with the teeth. ahaa

"That man's a lion—his bite is real, ah-ha"

🎶 Unyerere uchingoshaina ahaa

"Quiet—keep glittering, ah-ha"

🎶 Unyerere uchingoshaina ahaa

"Quiet—keep glittering, ah-ha"

🎶 UkandipaTo give; donate. rudoLove; a strong feeling of affection. ndogamuchira nemoyoHeart. wangu

"If you give me love, I'll welcome it with all my heart"

🎶 UkarambaTo refuse; deny permission or agreement. angova madzikirira kuhope dzangu

"If you refuse, it will sink deep into my dreams"

🎶 MaonaTo see; watch. here chisikanaGirl. chakachangamuka? IruvaFlower; the blossom of a plant. rangu

"Have you seen that lively girl?—she is my flower"

🎶 Vakanetsa rambaTo refuse; deny permission or agreement. uchingotsika-tsika dhiya wangu

"Troubles will come—keep stepping steady, my dear"

🎶 Ndanga ndina Oskid

"I was with Oskid"