Silevera Le Gauda

‘Silevera Le Gauda’ is an anthem for church choir. Its lyricism, repeated phrases and two identical verses make it at first glance suitable for congregational singing, but it also has wide leaps and the melody sometimes lies in quite a high register. The bright key of A major and the running vocal lines and ringing harmonies may represent the silver and gold of the Wise Men’s gifts, mentioned in the text, or perhaps the ‘shining army’ of believers also referred to. It is eminently suitable for Christmas services, along with two other songs by Mohapeloa in the same collection, called Hosanna (1955), which are ‘Balisa’ (Shepherds) and ‘Christmas’.