Kikuyu Hymns- Ihiga ria tene ma- Rock of ages cleft for me

The song evokes sweet and sad memories. My maternal grandmother was truly a woman of faith. She loved this hymn. The memories are sweet because it reminds me that unwavering faith made her walk miles on  bare feet  during the East African revival movement "Tukutendereza" preaching the gospel of Christ. She taught catechism in a small church up the hill without expecting reward or recognition. The memories are sad because to most people spirituality and religion are one...and sometimes we sing from the lips not from a deeper place as reflected in the words of this song. Without further ado. Here it is;

Ihiga ria tene ma
Nindiihite hari we
Tuma mai na thakame
Kuuma mbaru-ini ciaku
Unine wihia wothe
Ningi na hinya waguo

Mawira makwa mothe
Matingihingia watho
Kiyo giakwa kinene
Kieha o na maithori
Itinginina wihia
Nowe wiki wahota

Ndiri na ihaki nii
Ngwihoka mutharaba
Ndi njaga humba nguo
Ndi muhutu ndeithagia
Ndi o mwihia no nguthii
Githima giaku there

Hingo ino ya muoyo
O na iria cia gikua
Ndariuka na ndakuona
Mutuaniri cira
Ihiga ria tene ma
Ningehitha hari we

Nyimbo cia kuinira Ngai- Gikuyu Hymns

 Happy 2016- Nindakwendera mwaka mweru wina irathimo. ( I wish you a happy new year full of God's blessings)

Wimwega mwaka mweru! This translates to Happy new year greetings. I love gikuyu Hymns, They are rich, beautiful and simply wonderful. Whenever i attend a funeral or Gikuyu gathering, i feel bad when i murmur along and do not know the works. To start 2016 i will  post  few Gikuyu Hymns and if possible the English hymn for the learners. Its a great way to learn Gikuyu too. So i will start with my  dad's  favorite
 "Twakugatha Ngai"  We praise  Thee oh God. Nituine hamwe....

Twakugatha Ngai

Twakugatha ngai, tondu wa tha ciaku
Na thakame ya Jesu mukuuri witu

CHORUS
Haleluya! Twakugatha
Haleluya! Amen
Haleluya! Twakuhoya
Turathime riu

Turathime riu, utuiyurie ngoro
Wendani munene na witikiro

Twakugatha ngai tondu roho wake
Niwe ututeithagia matuku mothe

Jesu niagoka, nitukene muno
Na gikeno kinene na uthethuko

English Version
We praise Thee, O God!
For the Son of Thy love,
For Jesus who died,
And is now gone above.

Refrain

Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Revive us again.

We praise Thee, O God!
For Thy Spirit of light,
Who hath shown us our Savior,
And scattered our night.

Refrain

All glory and praise
To the Lamb that was slain,
Who hath borne all our sins,
And hath cleansed every stain.

Refrain

All glory and praise
To the God of all grace,
Who hast bought us, and sought us,
And guided our ways.

Refrain

Revive us again;
Fill each heart with Thy love;
May each soul be rekindled
With fire from above.

Refrain