One of our families at mgpc is from Zimbabwe. Their first dialect is the Shona language.
A couple of times now they have sung the hymn ‘Children Of Jerusalem’ in that tongue and the rest of the congregation then sang the hymn in English.
Interestingly, the version our friends sing has four verses, while I’ve only been able to find three in the English versions that I’ve seen.
The emphasis of the lyrics is on a childlike experience of faith. It articulates a family experience of growing in faith, a good testimony for the local church.
The lyrics.
1.
Children of Jerusalem
sang the praise of Jesus’ Name;
children, too, of modern days
join to sing the Saviour’s praise.
Hark, hark, hark!
While infant voices sing.
Hark, hark, hark!
While infant voices sing.
Loud hosannas, loud hosannas,
loud hosannas to our King.
2.
We are taught to love the Lord,
we are taught to read His Word,
we are taught the way to heaven:
praise for all to God be given.
Hark, hark, hark! …
3.
Parents, teachers, old and young,
all unite to swell the song,
higher and yet higher rise,
’till hosannas reach the skies.
Hark, hark, hark! …
John Henley
Hymns from the Rejoice! Hymn Book, Presbyterian Church of Australia
The YouTube has a jaunty organ arrangement with karaoke style words, no vocals.
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