Jerusalema Ikhaya Lami

The story of this hymn

'Jerusalem, my home that I love' — the old hymn of the heavenly city, sung in isiZulu congregations for generations and a fixture of the night vigil before a burial. The verses ask when the singer's labours will end and rest in that city will begin. Most South Africans also know the opening words because Master KG's 2019 hit 'Jerusalema' opens with the very same phrase — so even the youngest mourners recognise the first line.

Where it sits in the service

It is sung through umlindelo, the night vigil before the burial, and in the service itself it sits best late — as the congregation turns the coffin toward home — or at the graveside. Because wording differs between hymnals and congregations, print the hymn number from your own hymnal, or just the title, rather than verses half the room knows differently.

In the programme, list it in the order of service as “Hymn — Jerusalema Ikhaya Lami” with the leader or choir named beside it.

How it is actually sung

A staple of isiZulu funerals and vigils, and one that needs no announcing — someone begins it and the room joins. It is sung in harmony as a matter of course, without being arranged, and church groups will carry it without accompaniment. Expect it to run longer than a printed order allows, and let it.

Printing the words

Traditional and in wide congregational use, but arrangements and translations may be under copyright. Ask the church before printing a full text. Printing the first line is enough — nobody in the room needs the words.

This is practical guidance rather than legal advice. Reproduction rights vary by territory, by hymnal edition and by the licence your church holds — the church office is the right place to ask, and they answer this question often.