VIDEO: Performance by Graeme College Choir, Makhanda
VAUDIO: A capella performance by World Voices Choir, Ottawa
South Africa underwent a political "miracle" in 1994. Leadership
is praised for that, yet the wonder of this nation come be traced to the very
soils of the land, its deep human history, its open skies, its humane climate,
the brilliant variety of natural phenomena, fauna and flora and atmospheric
landscapes. This cumulative beauty has a direct bearing on the people, the
way we are distinguished as South Africans all over the world. Originally
a wordless song in praise of South African women, written for the Woman of
the Year Gala in 2002, lyrics have been added to celebrate SA's natural beauty
that will outlast and redeem all of our historical ups and downs.
Holy place
Of ancient bones
Treasury
Of stars and stones
I come to thee
You set me free
Beautiful Land
South Africa
Lift my eyes
To open Skies
Nostrils flare
In potent air
Let me run
Towards the sun
Beautiful Land
South Africa
The bold, dramatic
Drakensberg
The monumental
Table Mount
The blue embrace
Of endless seas
Beautiful Land
South Africa
Feel no pain
I smell the rain
Stresses fade
In Bushveld shade
Wash in showers
Of Fynbos flowers
Beautiful Land
South Africa
All the world
Come share the sun
Where we strive
To live as one
Praise the planet's
Work of art
Beautiful Land
South Africa