Ahe, Moren’a Khanya!

‘Ahe, Moren’a Khanya!’ was published in Morija, Lesotho in 1955 as song No. 22 of 29 songs in Hosanna: Lipina tsa Kereke (Hosanna: Church Songs), a collection of anthems – as opposed to hymns – to celebrate the major Christian festivals. Mohapeloa’s eight songs in Hosanna are longer and musically more complex than most of the other songs, which are by other composers. ‘Ahe, Moren’a Khanya!’ is also the longest, at 56 bars plus a repeated second section (40 bars) and a second verse. The part writing is lively, Mohapeloa’s tempo is ‘animato’, and there is detailed attention to expression and dynamics, making this song very suitable as a festive choral anthem.