Pupil carols... Gloria in Excelsis (Mbube)
15th December 2021
For a number of years a highly popular Christmas tradition was for the senior pupils (aged 10-11) at Spring Grove to write their own carols and to perform these with the help of their friends. Each year brought to the fore a few memorable 'hits' often with a tune that quickly turned into an unforgettable 'ear-worm'! For weeks afterwards, you found yourself whistling the tune of the shepherds' journey or the Christmas dinner song! In "Gloria in Excelsis Deo", Barney, Cameron, Christian and Josh hit upon the idea of using the tune of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" and then providing their own Christmassy lyrics. It was an instant hit, not only with the school but also with our local church when it was sung on Christmas morning 2018. An interesting fact behind the tune is that Solomon Linda, a South African musician, never received the due rewards for his musical effort after it had been used again and again by singers in several countries and, of course, by the Disney Studios in The Lion King. After his death, a settlement was reached in 2006 in which the song should be given its orginal title, "Mbube". Gloria, Gloria, Gloria, Gloria in Excelsis Deo (Mbube)
