Christopher Tin: Live at Cadogan Hall - Waloyo Yamoni

Christopher Tin conducts his choral work 'Waloyo Yamoni (We Overcome the Wind)', the climactic finale to his song cycle 'The Drop That Contained the Sea'. From the European premiere of 'The Drop that Contained the Sea' at 'The Music of Christopher Tin' concert, Cadogan Hall, London, July 19, 2016. Performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and featuring the Angel City Chorale, Prima Vocal Ensemble, and Lucis choirs. Soloists: Jimmer Bolden, Allie McNay. Commissioned by the Orchestra at St. Matthews, Pacific Palisades, CA. Sung in Lango, lyrics from a rainmaking litany.

Lyrics:
Waloyo yamoni. (Waloyo.)
Wan wamito kot ochwe, oony akirok chutok
Oami! In, kot, alami ichwe. Ka i chwe, beber.

Ka monwa olelo (ber)
Ka atino oleo (ber)
Ka awobi owero (ber)
Ka adwong olelo (ber)

Eryamita ka jigi jigi.
Eryam, alech alelech.
Ka kot adok Burutok
Ka yamo adok Burutok
Ilech.

Alech alelech.
Ilech. Opong.
Ilech i dula.
Kalwa opong dero.

English Translation:

We overcome this wind. (We overcome.)
We desire the rain to fall, that it be poured in showers quickly.
Ah! Thou rain, I adjure thee fall. If thou rainest, it is well.

If our women rejoice (it is well)
If the children rejoice (it is well)
If the young men sing (it is well)
If the aged rejoice (it is well)

A drizzling confusion.
Confusion, a torrent in flow.
If the rain veers to the south
If the wind veers to the south

A torrent in flow.
Overflowing. May it fill.
An overflowing in the granary.
May our grain fill the granaries.

-----CONNECT WITH CHRISTOPHER-----


Christopher can be found on:

[christophertin]

Thanks for the comments everyone! I've always been very proud of this piece... even more than Baba Yetu, Sogno di Volare, and some of my better known ones. And conducting the final few minutes is a total blast. :)

[felixstephen]

This masterpiece has been here for 4 years..? Whoever decided to put it on Instagram and TikTok has done it justice and am grateful they did.

[danfreitas]

Like many others in the comments... I was brought to this by a 30 second instagram reel. I am so happy I discovered it. Brings tears to my eyes.

[alticetube]

If I could sing like that man I would never stop. Ordering food, talking to kids, everything.

[BenZenMain]

Who is still here, March 2025? ❤️
For me this is simply the song of Life!

[vladlupu]

Christopher Tin should compose the anthem of humanity.

[Bronxcheerforall]

It's been scientifically proven that if you run as fast as possible while this song is played at deafening volume nothing can stop you from achieving your dreams.

[Phlegethon.]

I love how Christoper Tin looks so genuinely happy while he's conducting the music. I wish I have a job that I can be happy at.

[billybobish]

bro's voice, is like the sun coming up.

[echodumoses]

This has got to be my best discovery in 2023. Most soothing music I have experienced in weeks, Thanks Chris

[danielmoxie]

I come from Uganda, a country where this language is spoken, my Goodness, this is Heavenly.

[A-A_Amali]

It's January 2025 and we are still here 😊.

I listened to this piece performed in Vilnius 2024 and it's an experience of a lifetime.

[kikifromthepnw]

In my 32 years of life, I have never cried because of art. That changed today. Seeing someone with my skin tone, who looks like the men in my family at the head of an orchestral piece singing in an African language did it.

[LuUnAnGeliK]

Not me crying over this song right before going into my shift as a waitress but feeling like an accomplished adventurer

[atlafan]

God that is one of the most beautiful tenors I’ve ever heard

[tshiamisokupi]

Christopher Tin, ladies and gentlemen. One of the better composers of our time.

[maryachen]

A folk song that used to be sang by our great grand parents during drought to get rain. My late Grandma used to sing this to us as a little girl. So proud to hear it beautifully performed

[Llanx_the_Alchemist]

I'm a ugandan from the Langi tribe in the northern region of Uganda 🇺🇬, this creative work of art was done in my local language, I got goosebumps when I saw different races chant in our language, the music was so enthusiastic..thanks alot Mr. Christopher Tin for putting us out there. We are so proud, my whole family had to listen to it as many times as we could.

[whishwhoosh]

youtube is the real mvp for not putting an ad on this masterpiece

[arwenrose]

I’ve been coming back to this specific recording of this song (though I also love the album version!) for several years now, and I can confidently say that it is the most beautiful song I have ever heard in my life. Christopher Tin, you have made magic.