Chords for The Power of Jerusalema (Song Breakdown) | TYHN

From the streets of Sauba, DJ mixes in Niger, all the way to the top in Germany, France and Austria.
Everywhere you go, you're sure to have heard the mega hit that is Jerusalema by South African musicians Master KG and Nnomkebo's God.
The South African house and gospel fusion song was released in the midst of one of the country's biggest years in music.
2019 brought us hits such as Um Lilo by DJ Zinje, Muzzle and Ritabile,
Ndingawe by Sano musician and Amifago,
Aglaleke by something Soweto, Shasha, DJ Maporisa and Kabzere Small,
and Kukuletu by Prince KP, Ntofukazi, Sabta and the Opera Brothers.
With heavy hitters like these, one may wonder what had this particular song become the international sensation it is today?
My name is Ngezi and today we're gonna be looking at the power of Jerusalema.
Hey, this is rad! _
_ _ _ What?
There are [G] a number of intertwining factors at play which give Jerusalema its charm, one of which is [Bbm] the song's subject matter.
[Ab] Jerusalema is the Zulu variant of the name of [Gb] the Middle Eastern city, Jerusalem.
The song's [G] lyrics, penned by [Gb] Nnzebo, speak of the capital [G] city of Israel [A] directly as home,
[Bb] referencing its significance to Christianity as [B] the holy city where God [Db] resided. _ _
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When interpreted, the lyrics mean, [Bbm] Jerusalem, my home.
_ _ _ [Gb] _ Guard me.
_ Walk with me.
[Ab] Do not leave me here.
The [Db] second verse, _ _
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My place is not here.
[Bbm] I have no place here.
_ My kingdom [Gb] is nowhere near.
_ Guard me.
[Ab] Walk with me.
The chorus accentuates this [Db] plea and bursts.
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_ My place [Gb] _ _
is not here.
My kingdom [Ab] _ _
is nowhere near.
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86% of South Africans and [Bbm] 29% of the [Bb] global population believing in [Gb] Christianity, according to Index Mundi and Antheren, [Ab] respectively,
Nnzebo's words and message from the onset had the [Db] potential to resonate in many homes across the country and throughout the world.
[Bbm] The song, however, is not just a sweet gospel tune.
Apart [Gb] from the message and the music, another reason the song inspired the world to burst [Ab] out their best moves is Master Keiji's composition and [Db] production.
Like any beatmaker and producer, Master Keiji is [Bbm] afforded the luxury of being equipped with a variety of various [Gb] different instruments he can combine as he sees fit.
[Ab] Keiji's particular sound, which one can refer to as [Db] Limpopo house, unique to his home province of Limpopo,
blends [Gb] together the elements of the greater South African house music genre in his rhythm section with his use of harmonies often being carried [Ab] by orchestral instruments such as violins and cellos from a string section [Db] and a trumpet playing diatonic chords and melodies.
[Bbm] The percussive elements in the rhythm section include an 808 kick, [Gb] hi-hats, hand claps, _ distinctly South [Ab] African vocal adlibs, and a low bass line.
The song [Db] is in the key of C-sharp major and features the chords I [Bbm]-VI-IV [Bb]-V known as the 50s progression.
[Gb] As the aforementioned name implies, this chord progression [Ab] was used [E] heavily in 50s and [Abm] early 60s western [Db] popular music, featuring in songs throughout the years such [Bbm] as Stand By Me by Ben E.
King, Beautiful Girls by [Gb] Sean Kingston, and Me by Taylor Swift featuring Brendon Urie.
[Ab] With a catchy hook, relatable message, and creative orchestration, [Db] it's no wonder Jerusalema became an instant hit upon initial release [Bbm] and grew into the viral juggernaut it is today, [Gb] going on to spawn numerous covers, global dance challenges, and [Ab] a remix with Grammy-nominated Nigerian artist Burnaboy.
[Db] In the end, I believe the one constant factor about [Bbm] the song, [Bb] the reason behind its meteoric success, the reason [Gb] it got the world dancing, the power [Ab] of Jerusalema isn't just the song itself or the [Db] clever use of familiar instruments.
It is the meaning in the [Bbm] music.
It is the meaning people find in the music.
[Gb] If there's anything I've seen personally, it's music is [Abm] identity.
Music can form part of an identity and music can be [Db] one's identity. _
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_ Whatever has them feeling [Gb] lost and afraid, that this too shall pass.
_ [Ab] There is a light that will guide you home. _ _ _
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[Bbm] _ _ _ _ I'm super grateful that I finally got to [Gb] do a video of this nature on this channel.
I thank everyone [Ab] who's been with me this entire time and anybody who's here for [Db] the first time.
And if it is you're here for the first time, please do subscribe so we can get more [Bbm] videos like this pumping through this channel.
Speaking of which, [Gb] what song do you think we should do next?
South Africa's got a whole list that I [Ab] would love to tackle.
So if it is you wanna hear what I [Db] got, please comment down below which song that you're looking to hear me talk about [Bbm] next.
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[F] Otherwise, yeah I don't know exactly what to do.
This is not my regular end.
I normally just say, okay I gotta edit the video now which is actually the truth.
Okay thanks, bye!
_ Thank you again, bye!
_ _ [N] _ _