Emlanjeni (By the River) Lyrics by Soweto Gospel Choir

(Sung mostly in Zulu)

Emlanjeni eBabiloni (By the river of Babylon) x3
Sathi vuthu, sahlala phansi (where we sat down)
Salila izinyembezi (And there we wept)
Sathi vuthu, sahlala phansi (Where we sat down)
Salila izinyembezi (And there we wept)

Somandla siyabonga (Lord we thank you)
Uthando isiphelona (For your love and refuge (?))
Sikhala isithlupheka, (You heard our cries and troubles)
Uyazisuli izinyembezi (And You wiped our tears)
Sathi vuthu, sahlala phansi (Where we sat down)
Salila izinyembezi (And there we wept)
(Repeat)

“Yelele” is sound of praise
Yele yelele Jehova, Yele Yele
Yele Yelele, Yele Yele
Yele Yelele, Yele Yele Yele Modimo (The Lord) in Sotho
(Repeat)