This Talk Has Got to Be Spoken (Asem yi di ka)
by Felicia A. B. Sandler
4-Part - Sheet Music

SATB choir unaccompanied - Early Intermediate

SKU: EC.1.3520

Composed by Ephraim Amu and Felicia A. B. Sandler. 20th Century. Octavo. Duration 1 minute, 15 seconds. Galaxy Music Corporation #1.3520. Published by Galaxy Music Corporation (EC.1.3520).

ISBN 600313135200. UPC: 600313135200. African Dialects.

Asɛm yi di ka was composed in 1944, at a time when apathy was rife and when most people were dissatisfied with life around them generally, but would not take any action themselves and kept looking to someone else to shoulder such responsibility. The song was an answer to the anxiety felt by the composer about the prevailing conditions of the time. "This talk has got to be spoken. Who will speak it? I, myself."

 

The declamation of the text is largely homophonic, the rhythm features the two-against-three style found so often in African repertoires. An IPA pronunciation guide is provided, as is a non-singable translation. Duration: 1:15.