HIVE OPEN MIC #200 (ENG/ESP): Virtual Serenade - 2 Anti-Apartheid Songs dedicated to South African Hivers!

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(Apologies - I usually use 3Speak to upload, but I have been struggling with it over the last three days?)

(Ver la parte inferior de la publicación para español)

Hello everybody on Hive and especially the Hive Open Mic Community! My name is Jasper and I'm writing (and singing) to you from Cape Town in South Africa!

Welcome to Week 200 of the Hive Open Mic Challenge. The theme for this week is “Virtual Serenade”. The extra special part of the Challenge this week, to celebrate the magnificent milestone of Hive Open Mic reaching its 200th week, is that we are supposed to dedicate our “virtual serenades” to HIVERs that don’t already actively participate in the Hive Open Mic, in the hope of bringing even more friends from all over the world to participate with, and engage with, all the fantastic talent that is already shining within this community.

Please see the post below for more details on this 200th week of the HIVE OPEN MIC, how to participate yourself, and the prizes that can be won for this special occasion!

https://ecency.com/hive-105786/@hiveopenmic/celebrating-the-200th-hive-open-mic-week-with-200-hive-prize-giveaways

Alright! I think in honour of the 200th anniversary of Hive Open Mic, I am going to sing not one, but two, local South African songs from the 1980s, that became known as symbols against the fight against Apartheid, which was the government’s policy of enforced racial segregation (to the distinct disadvantage of the majority black population) at the time. Thankfully, Apartheid and its racist laws were ended from 1990-1994.

I then thought it would be interesting to dedicate the songs to South African HIVERS that may remember Apartheid better than I do (I was only born in 1985) and see if they remember the songs! Perhaps they can let us know what memories do the songs, and the Apartheid era they were protesting, bring to mind? What hopes and frustrations to they have for South Africa now?

Let me include the following South African HIVERs in this dedication:

@cryptoandcoffee
@papilloncharity
@julianhorack
@rynow
@lizelle
@fermentedphil
@joanstewart
@fionasfavourites
@zo3d
@itsostylish
@jacoalberts
@nickydee

The first song I would like to tackle is “Weeping” by Bright Blue, which was released in 1987. This is a definite protest song, responding to how the 1985 State of Emergency had resulted in the killing of peaceful demonstrators against racial segregation in South Africa. “Weeping” even managed to smuggle some of the melody of “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika”, which was the banned anthem of the suppressed African National Congress at the time, but then became the first part of the National Anthem of the New South Africa when Apartheid was finally ended.

For the second song, I would like to sing “Paradise Road”, released by Joy in 1980. This song apparently also became an unofficial South African anthem that seemed to spark hope for a better future with the lyrics: “There are better days before us, and a burning bridge behind…”. For me these lyrics just conjure up an image of leaving an apocalyptic fiery Hell behind you, as you walk towards something more like Heaven:

So! Fellow South Africans! I hope you don’t mind the tag, and will be tempted to join the Hive Open Mic community and support some of the music lovers on HIVE?

Lyrics for “Weeping” by Bright Blue

[Verse 1]
I knew a man who lived in fear
It was huge, it was angry, it was drawing near
Behind his house, a secret place
Was the shadow of the demon he could never face

He built a wall of steel and flame
And men with guns to keep it tame
Then, standing back, he made it plain
That the nightmare would never ever rise again
But the fear, the fire, and the guns remained

[Chorus]
It doesn't matter now
It's over anyhow
He tells the world that it's sleeping

But as the night came 'round
I heard it slowly sound
It wasn't roaring, it was weeping
It wasn't roaring, it was weeping

[Verse 2]
And then, one day, the neighbours came
They were curious to know about the smoke and flame
They stood around outside the wall
But, of course, there was nothing to be heard at all

"My friends," he said, "we've reached our goal
The threat is under firm control
As long as peace and order reign
I'll be damned if I can see a reason to explain
Why the fear and the fire and the guns remain"

[Chorus]
It doesn't matter now
It's over anyhow
He tells the world that it's sleeping

But as the night came round
I heard it slowly sound
It wasn't roaring, it was weeping
It wasn't roaring, it was weeping

[Coda]
Say over
Say over
Say over now

Say over
Say over
Say over now

Say over
Say over
Say over now
Say over
Say over
Say over now

It doesn't matter now
It's over anyhow
He tells the world that it's sleeping
But as the night came 'round
I heard it slowly sound
It wasn't roaring, it was weeping
It wasn't roaring, it was weeping
It wasn't roaring, it was weeping
(We heard a roaring sound)
It wasn't roaring, it was weeping

SOURCE: https://genius.com/Bright-blue-weeping-lyrics

Lyrics for “Paradise Road” by Joy

[Verse 1]
Come with me down paradise road
This way please, I'll carry your load
This you won't believe
Come with me to paradise skies
Look outside and open your eyes
This you must believe

[Chorus]
There are better days before us
And a burning bridge behind us
Fire smoking, the sky is blazing
There's a woman waiting weeping
And a young man nearly beaten all for love
Paradise was almost closing down

[Verse 2]
Come with me to paradise days
It'll change your life
It'll shorе change your ways
This you won't believе
Take my hand down paradise lane
Away from heart ache without any pain
I know 'cause I have been

[Chorus]
There are better days before us
And a burning bridge behind us
Fire smoking, the sky is blazing
There's a woman waiting weeping
And a young man nearly beaten all for love
Paradise was almost closing down

[Break]

[Chorus]
There are better days before us
And a burning bridge behind
Fire smoking, the sky is blazing
There's a woman waiting weeping
And a young man nearly beaten all for love

There are better days before us
And a burning bridge behind
Fire smoking, the sky is blazing
There's a woman waiting weeping
And a young man nearly beaten all for love

[Outro]
You must believe (You must believe this)
You must believe (You must believe this)
You must believe (You must believe this)

SOURCE: https://genius.com/Joy-sa-paradise-road-lyrics

(ESP)

¡Hola a todos en Hive y especialmente a la comunidad Hive Open Mic! ¡Mi nombre es Jasper y les escribo (y canto) desde Ciudad del Cabo en Sudáfrica!

Bienvenido a la semana 200 del desafío Hive Open Mic. El tema de esta semana es “Serenata Virtual”. La parte extra especial del desafío de esta semana, para celebrar el magnífico hito de que Hive Open Mic alcance su semana número 200, es que se supone que dedicaremos nuestras "serenatas virtuales" a los HIVER que aún no participan activamente en Hive Open Mic. , con la esperanza de atraer aún más amigos de todo el mundo para participar e interactuar con todo el fantástico talento que ya brilla dentro de esta comunidad.

Consulte la publicación a continuación para obtener más detalles sobre esta semana número 200 de HIVE OPEN MIC, cómo participar y los premios que se pueden ganar para esta ocasión especial.

https://ecency.com/hive-105786/@hiveopenmic/celebrating-the-200th-hive-open-mic-week-with-200-hive-prize-giveaways

¡Está bien! Creo que en honor al 200 aniversario de Hive Open Mic, voy a cantar no una, sino dos canciones locales sudafricanas de la década de 1980, que llegaron a ser conocidas como símbolos contra la lucha contra el apartheid, que era la política gubernamental de segregación racial (en clara desventaja de la población mayoritariamente negra) en ese momento. Afortunadamente, el apartheid y sus leyes racistas terminaron entre 1990 y 1994.

Entonces pensé que sería interesante dedicar las canciones a los VIHERS sudafricanos que tal vez recuerden el Apartheid mejor que yo (nací apenas en 1985) y ver si recuerdan las canciones. ¿Quizás puedan hacernos saber qué recuerdos nos traen a la mente las canciones y la era del Apartheid por la que protestaban? ¿Qué esperanzas y frustraciones tienen ahora para Sudáfrica?

Permítanme incluir a los siguientes HIVER sudafricanos en esta dedicatoria:

@criptoandcoffee
@papilloncharity
@julianhorack
@rynow
@lizalle
@fermentedphil
@joanstewart
@fionasfavoritas
@zo3d
@itsostylish
@jacoalberts
@nickydee

La primera canción que me gustaría abordar es “Weeping” de Bright Blue, que se lanzó en 1987. Se trata de una canción de protesta definida, que responde a cómo el estado de emergencia de 1985 había resultado en el asesinato de manifestantes pacíficos contra la segregación racial en el Sur. África. “Weeping” incluso logró contrabandear parte de la melodía de “Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika”, que era el himno prohibido del suprimido Congreso Nacional Africano en ese momento, pero que luego se convirtió en la primera parte del Himno Nacional de la Nueva Sudáfrica cuando Finalmente se puso fin al apartheid.

Para la segunda canción, me gustaría cantar “Paradise Road”, lanzada por Joy en 1980. Esta canción aparentemente también se convirtió en un himno no oficial de Sudáfrica que parecía despertar la esperanza de un futuro mejor con la letra: “Hay días mejores antes nosotros, y un puente en llamas detrás…”. Para mí, estas letras simplemente evocan la imagen de dejar atrás un infierno de fuego apocalíptico, mientras caminas hacia algo más parecido al Cielo:

¡Entonces! ¡Compañeros sudafricanos! Espero que no te importe la etiqueta y te sientas tentado a unirte a la comunidad Hive Open Mic y apoyar a algunos de los amantes de la música en HIVE.

Letra de “Weeping” de Bright Blue

[Verso 1]
Conocí a un hombre que vivía con miedo
Era enorme, estaba enojado, se acercaba.
Detrás de su casa, un lugar secreto
Era la sombra del demonio que nunca podría enfrentar.

Construyó un muro de acero y llamas.
Y hombres con armas para mantenerlo domesticado.
Luego, retrocediendo, dejó claro
Que la pesadilla nunca volvería a surgir
Pero el miedo, el fuego y las armas permanecieron.

[Coro]
No importa ahora
Se acabó de todos modos
Le dice al mundo que está durmiendo.

Pero cuando llegó la noche
Lo escuché sonar lentamente
No estaba rugiendo, estaba llorando
No estaba rugiendo, estaba llorando

[Verso 2]
Y entonces, un día, vinieron los vecinos.
Tenían curiosidad por saber sobre el humo y las llamas.
Se quedaron fuera de la pared
Pero, por supuesto, no se escuchó nada en absoluto.

"Amigos míos", dijo, "hemos alcanzado nuestra meta
La amenaza está bajo firme control.
Mientras reine la paz y el orden
Que me condenen si puedo ver una razón para explicar
Por qué persisten el miedo, el fuego y las armas"

[Coro]
No importa ahora
Se acabó de todos modos
Le dice al mundo que está durmiendo.

Pero cuando llegó la noche
Lo escuché sonar lentamente
No estaba rugiendo, estaba llorando
No estaba rugiendo, estaba llorando

[Coda]
decir otra vez
decir otra vez
Dilo ahora

decir otra vez
decir otra vez
Dilo ahora

decir otra vez
decir otra vez
Dilo ahora
decir otra vez
decir otra vez
Dilo ahora

No importa ahora
Se acabó de todos modos
Le dice al mundo que está durmiendo.
Pero cuando llegó la noche
Lo escuché sonar lentamente
No estaba rugiendo, estaba llorando
No estaba rugiendo, estaba llorando
No estaba rugiendo, estaba llorando
(Escuchamos un rugido)
No estaba rugiendo, estaba llorando

FUENTE: https://genius.com/Bright-blue-weeping-lyrics

Letra de “Paradise Road” de Joy

[Verso 1]
Ven conmigo por el camino del paraíso
Por aquí por favor, llevaré tu carga.
esto no lo vas a creer
Ven conmigo a los cielos paradisíacos
Mira afuera y abre los ojos.
Esto debes creer

[Coro]
Hay días mejores antes de nosotros
Y un puente en llamas detrás de nosotros
Fuego humeante, el cielo arde
Hay una mujer esperando llorando
Y un joven casi lo vence todo por amor.
El paraíso casi se estaba cerrando

[Verso 2]
Ven conmigo a los días del paraíso
Cambiará tu vida
Cambiará tus costumbres
Esto no lo vas a creer
Lleva mi mano por el camino del paraíso
Lejos del dolor de corazón sin ningún dolor
Lo sé porque he estado

[Coro]
Hay mejores días por delante
Y un puente en llamas detrás de nosotros
Fuego humeante, el cielo arde
Hay una mujer esperando llorando
Y un joven casi lo vence todo por amor.
El paraíso casi se estaba cerrando

[Romper]

[Coro]
Hay mejores días por delante
Y un puente en llamas detrás
Fuego humeante, el cielo arde
Hay una mujer esperando llorando
Y un joven casi lo vence todo por amor.

Hay mejores días por delante
Y un puente en llamas detrás
Fuego humeante, el cielo arde
Hay una mujer esperando llorando
Y un joven casi lo vence todo por amor.

[Acabado]
Debes creer (Debes creer esto)
Debes creer (Debes creer esto)
Debes creer (Debes creer esto)

FUENTE: https://genius.com/Joy-sa-paradise-road-lyrics



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15 comments
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Wow this is so cool, two songs dedicated to more than one person... And the songs are so meaningful and beautiful in your voice 😊

I love the first one most but the second is just as beautiful too, you've done well to do this. I believe our south African Hivers will feel both proud and happy to listen to this.

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This is amazing brother, i see a great potential in you and you have also done justice to the song so well. Kudos and your effort is really appreciated

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Greetings friend. I liked your topic for this week. Good voice and excellent musician. Blessings and hugs from a distance.💕

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Great as always Jasper. Your interpretation of these two musical themes is amazing. I congratulate you for this special dedication and especially for bringing these beautiful songs that provide encouragement and hope for a better world.

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Wow so cool
I never knew you're from south Africa, its good to know and I really commend this awesome presentation sir
I really love the vibes
Thanks for sharing

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WoW. Congratulations my friend. You publications & video is fantastic

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Ok, this has been the post of posts and the serenade of serenades hahahaha, how many people have been blessed with your dedication here ❤️ Bravo brother, you are always an example and synonym of harmony and peace, just what we are looking for in our community; besides, we have a 2x1 here hehe. Thanks for being an important part of the Hive Open Mic, all my respects to you Jasper 🙏

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This is beautiful presentation bro. Great job sir.

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Never mind being tagged by you and for good music.

Weeping is also one of my faves. But your rendition of Paradise Road stole the show. Wow. 🔥

Yeah. The ANC. How disappointing after Mandela and Biko and the other great minds and hearts of Freedom. 😒

And yes I was there. The 80s were interesting times in ZA indeed. When holding hands was an act of rebellion.

Nuts.

Thanks for including me, J 😘

Really enjoyed this!

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Nice bro. excellent. your voice is to Strong, really good performance. Cheers

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Brother, how are you? This is a great entry dear friend, God continue to bless you! ♥

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What great choices and equally great renditions of two very different and difficult anthems. You are so right that I have memories of those songs - and those times. Joy brings back memories of school and Bright Blue were a big part of the soundtrack to my young adult life - some of which I wrote about here. That post links to another - more tongue in cheek - and which does feature Weeping. I also have fond memories of seeing Bright Blue, live - relatively often - some of that and some other iconic South African tunes... in those posts and this one.

Poignant that you chose those anthems as we celebrate 30 years of democracy and when there is so much good - and awful - about our beloved country.

Thank you for calling me over - I have enjoyed my own reminiscences thanks to you!

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Lovely story and entry Jasper!👏👏👏

Love your voice.

Thanks for making it to Hive Open Mic week 200 🙌

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Nice walk down memory lane on the first with photographs used within the video, people mingled together more then than they do today.

We shared within communities where most feared to tread, got into trouble a couple of times on stern warnings by police. Never changed our spirited souls, in fact we made good friends and still made arrangements when teenagers, to meet in safe black/white areas not looked at.

Once again a Nation standing together with a vote, hopefully this time will count to making life amicable to all, we are all South African under the same sun and moon.

Thanks for shout out and hopefully one day I will pen down more about almost seven decades of living here.

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