Songs of Ethiopia’s Tesfaye Gabbiso: Singing with Understanding in Babylon, the Meantime, and Zion
Ebook
Tesfaye Gabbiso, prominent Ethiopian soloist, began composing song texts and tunes as a young lad in the early 1970s during a period of social and political upheaval in Ethiopia. This national ferment strengthened a creative surge among a generation of youth as the Ethiopian revolution (1974-91) was taking hold. An explosion of indigenous spiritual songs was one result. The indigenous song style was in contrast to the imported and translated European hymnody that had earlier been sung in Ethiopia's evangelical churches. Because of his testimony, both in life and song, Tesfaye was imprisoned for seven years during the revolution, during which time he continued to compose and sing. Thus, his songs reflect suffering, endurance, and hope in the "Babylons, Meantime, and Zions" of life experience. The human voice in song, rooted in the flow of the missio Dei, is perhaps the greatest testimony that may be lived out, whether in a prison cell or in the larger complex world. A special feature of this book is the inclusion of 104 of Tesfaye's songs (Cassettes 1-7) in English translation. This study is valuable as a cross-cultural textbook, offers rich lyrics, and embodies a challenge to Christian commitment in the arts.
"Lila Balisky's investigation into the songs of Tesfaye Gabbiso
is destined to become a classic in the power of theologizing
through song in the midst of suffering. Her intimate
understanding of the Ethiopian context, having lived through the
Ethiopian Marxist revolution (1974-1991) with local believers,
brings authenticity to the depth of Tesfaye's testimony in songs
that sustained Ethiopian Christians during severe persecution. It
will force you to think more deeply about God and His ways."
—Roberta R. King, Professor of Communication and Ethnomusicology,
Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA.
“Writing and researching from a posture of humility, and
with nearly 40 years of cross-cultural ministry in Ethiopia, Lila
Balisky has written a superb study of the life narrative and songs
of Ethiopian singer, composer, and church leader Tesfaye
Gabbiso . . . Vividly aware of the challenge of
translating meaning from one language and medium to another,
Balisky takes the necessary precautions and gets it right. She has
given us a wonderful study that celebrates both musical creativity
and deep indigenous worship.”
—Darrell Whiteman, Missiological Anthropologist, Global
Development
“Tesfaye, Ethiopia’s most distinguished and renowned gospel singer
has inspired, encouraged, and uplifted millions of Ethiopians
through his theologically sound, but musically superb songs, which
he has composed and sung. This is particularly true of the songs he
produced when the church came under fire during the times of the
Ethiopian Revolution. This book represents a significant addition
to the study of music in Ethiopia and marks a major step in
introducing the Ethiopian dimension of ethnomusicology to the
larger scholarly conversation.”
—Tibebe Eshete, Department of Religious Studies, Michigan State
University
“Songs of Ethiopia’s Tesfaye Gabbiso, by Lila Balisky, is a
solid work in research methodology and analysis of a modern musical
saint and his contribution to Ethiopia and world hymnody. Thanks to
Balisky for shedding theological and cultural light on the person,
life and ministry of Tesfaye Gabbiso.”
—J. Nathan Corbitt, Professor Emeritus of Cross-Cultural Studies,
Eastern University
- Title: Songs of Ethiopia’s Tesfaye Gabbiso: Singing with Understanding in Babylon, the Meantime, and Zion
- Authors: Lila W. Balisky, Vernon Charter
- Publisher: Pickwick Publications
- Print Publication Date: 2018
- Logos Release Date: 2021
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781532634956, 9781532634949, 9781532634963, 1532634951, 1532634943, 153263496X
- Resource ID: LLS:9781532634956
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2023-01-18T21:45:12Z
Lila Balisky, with her husband Paul, served under SIM and the
Ethiopian Kale Heywet Church from 1967 to 2005. She has taught at
the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology, Evangelical Theological
College in Addis Ababa, as well as in theological schools in other
areas of Ethiopia. Her published articles have appeared in
Missiology, Evangelical Missions Quarterly,
Worship and Mission for the Global Church, and various SIM
publications.