Co-Winner, SYNC 2020 Songwriting Competition, Global Division (non-English)
Steven Chuchu
"Faraja"
(Solace)

My name is Steven Chuchu. I am from Mara, Tanzania and I am married. I have been a composer and a singer of Gospel songs for a long time. I compose songs in various languages especially Swahili, Kuria, and a few words in other languages. I am grateful to God for giving me this chance to build his kingdom, and I would like to welcome all people to watch my other songs, including the Kuria songs, on my YouTube channel with the name Steven Chuchu.
Swahili: Jina langu ni Steven Chuchu. Ninatokea Mara, Tanzania na nimeoa. Mimi ni mtunzi na mwimbaji wa nyimbo za Injili kwa muda mrefu. Natunga nyimbo kwa lugha mbalimbali hasa Kiswahili, Kikurya, na maneno machache kwa lugha zingenie. Namshukuru Mungu kunipa nafasi hii katika kujenga ufalme wake, na ningependa kuwakaribisha watu wote kutazama nyimbo zangu nyingine zikiwemo za Kikurya kwenye YouTube channel yangu kwa kuandika (Steven Chuchu).
SYNC: What is the story behind the song? How did the idea start and develop?
Steven: "The story came out of a review of humanity the whole world over, (ex. Diseases, war, poverty, etc…) (When I contemplated all this, the Spirit of God gave me the sound of the word Solace). I have sat/lived with this song and its’ sound/vocal arrangement for three years. During this whole time I did not receive permission/favor to record, but in March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic began, I received strength and inspiration to sing this song because God has shown me now is the correct time. Besides being a composer and a singer usually I like to cooperate with people so as to get new ideas to prepare something better, and in this song, my Producer(audio), Director(video), and other friends like Patrick all contributed to arrange and grow this song."
Swahili: Hadithi imetokea na mapito ya wanadamu duniani kote (mfn. Magonjwa, vita, umaskini, n.k) (Nilipotafakari, Roho wa Mungu alinipa sauti ya neno Faraja). Wimbo huu na sauti yake nimekaa/nimeishi nayo miaka mitatu. Kwa muda huu wote sijapata kibali cha kurecord, lakini mwaka 2020 March lilipotokea janga la COVID-19 nilipata nguvu na msukumo kuimba wimbo huu kwa sababu Mungu amenionyesha ni wakati sahihi. Mbali ya kuwa mtunzi na mwimbaji pia huwa napenda kushirikisha watu ili kupata mawazo mapya kuandaa kitu bora, na kwenye wimbo huu, Producer wangu, Director, na marafiki zangu wengine kama Patric wamechangia kupanga na kukuza wimbo huu.
(Swahili; English below)
Faraja-aah-aah
Wewe faraja,
Faraja-aah-aah
Nauliza faraja,
Umekwenda wapi wewe faraja,
Uko wapi wewe faraja,
Umesababisha watu wanajinyonga,
Umesababisha wengine wanywe sumu,
Wameenda kwa waganga hawajaipata faraja,
hata kwa wanasayansi faraja hawajaipata,
Wameenda kwa ndugu zao wala hakuna faraja ya kweli ooh mama,
Faraja-aah-aah
Watu wanakutafuta faraja,
Uko wapi faraja (faraja).
Nimesikia vilio kila kona,
Dunia imezizima kwa Corona,
Siyo Afrika, Amerika, wala Ulaya na Asia,
Vyombo vya habari vinatangaza kila siku (huu--huuu),
Watu wamekufa miili imezagaa,
Mara kule 1000, mara pale 500, kona nyingine 100, ni vilio vimetanda,
Wengine wamepoteza wake zao, wengine wamepoteza waume zao,
Wengine wamepoteza watoto na wazazi wao,
Hawana faraja wanakutafuta faraja,
Telele lile lelile,
Faraja faraja faraja-aaah,
Lakini lipo jibu ndani ya faraja, faraja ya kweli duniani, hiyo faraja ni Yesu, ukimpata wewe
utakuwa na amani moyoni mwako
Mwanamke Hana alipochekwa na mke mwenzie alimuomba Mungu akapata faraja,
Yule Ibrahim baba wa mataifa mengi alimuomba Mungu alipata faraja,
Hata Yusuph alipokuwa gerezani alimuomba Mungu akapata faraja,
Hata wewe unayeteseka, magonjwa, mikosi, balaa, ooh njoo kwa Yesu,
Ukimuomba Yeye utapata faraja,
Ni Yesu
Ni Yesu
Ni Yesu
Faraja yetu
Ni Yesu
Ni Yesu
Ni Yesu
Faraja yangu
Anajua wakati wa kufariji,
Huuu-huuu
Anajua wakati wa kuinua,
Anajua wakati wa kufariji
Anajua wakati wa kuinua
Yesu, Huuu-huuu.
"Faraja" (English translation)
Solace
Hey Solace
Solace
I'm looking for Solace
Where have you gone Solace?
Where are you Solace?
You've caused people to strangle themselves oh
You've caused others to drink poison
They have gone to doctors/witchdoctors they have not found Solace
{They} Even {went} to scientists Solace they have not found
They have gone to their close companions neither is there any real solace oh mama
Solace,
People are looking for you Solace
Where are you Solace? (Solace)
I have heard cries in every corner.
The world has come to a stop because of Corona.
Not just in Africa America nor Europe and Asia.
The news media announces every day, (ooo ooo oo)
"People have died, bodies are scattered."
Here 1000, over there 500, in another corner 100, the cries have spread out.
Some have lost their wives, others have lost their husbands.
Others have lost their children and parents,
They have no Solace, they are looking for you Solace
Telele lilele lile (vocables)
Solace Solace Solace
But there is an answer, within Solace, true Solace on earth. This Solace is Jesus. If you receive Him,
you will have peace in your heart.
The woman Hannah when she was laughed at by her fellow wife, she prayed to God and she found Solace.
That one Abraham, the father of many nations, when he prayed to God, he found, Solace. Even Joseph, when he was in prison, he prayed to God and he found, Solace.
Even you, you who are suffering, diseases, curses, calamity. Oh Come to Jesus When you pray to Him you will find Solace.
It’s Jesus
It’s Jesus
It’s Jesus
Our solace
It’s Jesus
It’s Jesus
It’s Jesus
My solace
He knows when to comfort ooo ooo oo (vocables)
He knows when to raise up
He knows when to comfort
He knows when to raise up
Jesus ooo ooo oo (vocables)
SYNC: Did you write the song in order to bless or help anyone or any group in particular? If so, who and how?
Steven: "Not for a particular person or group, this song is for all people to listen to. It is my hope that through this song listeners will be blessed, especially when they understand that true solace is only available from God!"
Swahili: Siyo kwa ajili ya mtu au kundi maalum, wimbo huu ni kwa ajili ya watu wote kusikiliza. Ni matumaini yangu kwa kupitia wimbo huu wasikilizaji watabarikiwa, haswa wakielewa faraja ya kweli inapatikana kwa Mungu tu!
SYNC: How does your song fit with the core idea of SYNC, which is that God is working a plan and we are SYNCing our lives with his work?
Steven: "My song fits because it shows us that God is the true comforter, there when we are aware of his presence and when we involve him in our lives and through his solace we receive perseverance like the woman Hannah in 1 Samuel chapter one, verse one and onward."
Swahili: Wimbo wangu inafaa kwa sababu inatuonyesha kwamba Mungu ndiye mfariji wa kweli, pale tunapotambua uwepo wake na tukimhusisha kwenye maisha yetu na kupitia faraja yake tunapata ustahimilivu kama mwanamke Hanah 1 Samweli sura ya kwanza, mstari ya kwanza na kuendelea.