Siyakudumisa Thixo

The story of this hymn

This is the isiXhosa Te Deum — the ancient church's great hymn of praise, 'We praise Thee, O God', first sung in Latin some sixteen centuries ago. Nineteenth-century mission prayer books carried it into isiXhosa, and Xhosa-speaking congregations made it their own, singing it to chant tunes passed down by ear. It is raised at moments of thanksgiving — church festivals, weddings, ordinations — and at a funeral it turns grief toward gratitude for a life God gave.

Where it sits in the service

Best placed where the service gives thanks — often straight after the opening prayers, or after the tributes as a deliberate turn to praise. In Anglican and Methodist funerals it may be chanted rather than sung in metre, so the verses run together; print it as continuous lines rather than numbered verses, or simply give the hymnal number and let the congregation follow their own book.

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

How it is actually sung

The isiXhosa Te Deum — a hymn of praise rather than of mourning, which places it early in a service or at a thanksgiving rather than at the committal. Sung in harmony, and it wants a congregation with numbers behind it; it does not work thinly.

Printing the words

Traditional hymnody in general use. Print the first line in the order. If the full text is wanted, ask the church, since the hymnal setting may be under licence.

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.