The words of the beautiful funeral song Thuma mina come from the vocabulary of the Xhosa tribe. Pronounced ‘too-ma mee-na’ it means ‘send me, Lord’, while ‘Roma nna’ (linger on the ‘n’ sound) means ‘lead me, Lord’. This song works well performed simply and unaccompanied (experiment with different dynamics), but in verses three and four you might like to try adding a solo ‘descant’ voice over the top, either using the notes suggested or improvising your own.

This piece is part of the Faber Choral Singles series, offering a selection of beautifully crafted arrangements in a diversity of musical styles. From Broadway, pop and folk to spirituals, gospel and original works, the series is arranged for 3-part choir (soprano, alto and a combined male-voice part) providing flexibility for any choir. Complete with straight-forward piano accompaniments supporting the vocal lines, the Faber Choral Singles series guarantees the perfect repertoire for every occasion – so get exploring and get singing!