The loss of coral reefs worldwide is unfortunately an increasingly acute problem today.
Unesco: The Great Barrier Reef should be listed as ‘in danger’
I feel that the time is right to re-post (poem for a) Coral Reef, on the beauty of coral reefs, ecosystems in peril.
The original English lyrics have been translated in the Xhosa language by Lunga Heleni.
The song was recorded in South Africa at Sonic Art studio in Grahamstown.
Credits & Thank You!
Yemu Matibe who studies at Grahamstown’s Rhodes University sings the operatic parts.
Alungile Sixishe recites the text in Xhosa.
The song is based upon ‘Dido & Anaïs’ by Händel.
Musical accompaniment by Brazilian guitarist Nelson Latif and South African maestro James Foerie on kalimba and percussion.
Piano by Coen Molenaar. Cello by Bonno Lange.
© Eddy De Clercq/Ubuntu Publishing 2010/2021
Contact: ubuntu-publishing@xs4all.nl
See also this previous post for the English lyrics and translation in Xhosa
Listen to the original version of Poem For A Coral Reef by Yemu Matibe & Alungile Sixishe
(poem for a) Coral Reef -English lyrics
by Eddy De Clercq
Eternal source of color and light
a world without seasons
a world without reason
no day nor night
flowers born out of rock and sand
a garden untouched by human hand
rays of light break thru emerald
fish disappearing in deep blue depths
clouds of silver shimmering
vibrating pulse of life
thru misty depths of deep dark
full of unseen creatures
that crawl along the bottom
hide in cracks and holes of the reef
change color quickly
hide in a cloud of inky water
down here floating over the coral reef
this deafening silence that surrounds me
once man has seen this beauty
will he understand his own belief?
(poem for a) Coral Reef –Ikorale yoqaqa lolwandle -Xhosa lyrics
translated by Lunga Heleni
Mthombo wanaphakade wombala nokhanyo
Ilizwe ngaphandle kwamaxesha onyaka
Ilizwe ngaphandle kwezizathu
Kungekho suku nabusuku
Zintyatyamb’ ezizelelw’ ematyeni nasesantini
Sitiya esingachukunyiswanga sandla samntu
Matha okhanyo aqhekeza ngapha kwe – emeraldi
Ntlanzi ezinyamalalela kwiinzulw’ eziluhlaza
Mafu esilivere amenyezelayo
Intontozo esukumayo yobomi
Kwiinzulu ezinkungwana zobunzul’ obumnyama
Zizele zizilo ezingekabonwa
Zikhasela kumazantsi olwandle
Zizimele kumathanda nasemingxunyeni yoqaqa lolwandle
Zijik’ umbala msinyane
Zizimele kwilifu lamanz’ aluzizi
Ezantsi apha zidada ngaphaya kwekorale yolwandle
Lenzolw’ ibang’ ubuthul’ obundingqongayo
Xa umntu ethe wabona obubuhle
Angayiqonda na eyakhe inkolelo?
© Eddy De Clercq/Ubuntu Publishing 2010
Contact: ubuntu-publishing@xs4all.nl
Soul Safari 
Beautiful lyrics, amazing video !