Baba Yetu
{{Short description|Theme song of the video game Civilization IV}}
{{about|the theme song of Civilization IV|the Christian prayer|Lord's Prayer}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Baba Yetu
| cover =
| alt =
| type = Song
| artist = Christopher Tin featuring Ron Ragin and Stanford Talisman
| album = Sid Meier's Civilization IV Official Soundtrack
| language = Swahili
| written =
| published =
| released = {{Start date|2005|10|24}}
| format =
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| length = 3:28
| label = 2K Games
| composer = Christopher Tin
| producer =
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| misc = {{Audio sample
| type = song
| file = Baba Yetu sample.ogg
| description = "Baba Yetu"
}}
}}
"Baba Yetu" (Swahili: "Our Father") is the theme song for the 2005 video game Civilization IV. It was composed by Christopher Tin and performed by Ron Ragin and the Stanford Talisman.{{cite web|title=Looking Back... Civilization IV |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/142558/interviews/looking-back-civilization-iv/?page=2 |publisher=CVG |access-date=December 31, 2012 |date=July 6, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808054803/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/142558/interviews/looking-back-civilization-iv/?page=2 |archive-date=August 8, 2014 }}{{cite news|last=Nichols|first=Max|title=Video Games Live|url=http://www.n-sider.com/contentview.php?contentid=427|access-date=July 13, 2012|newspaper=N-Sider|date=September 1, 2007|archive-date=August 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809230139/http://www.n-sider.com/contentview.php?contentid=427|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Talisman featured on Civilization 4 |url=http://www.stanfordtalisman.com/html/oldnews2.html |access-date=December 21, 2014 |date=March 11, 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808043958/http://www.stanfordtalisman.com/html/oldnews2.html |archive-date=August 8, 2014 }} For its re-release in Tin's debut album Calling All Dawns, it was performed by the Soweto Gospel Choir. The song, when rereleased, became the first piece of video game music to be nominated for and to win a Grammy Award.
Composition
Being a fan of the Civilization series,{{cite magazine | url = https://techland.time.com/2011/06/28/video-games-first-ever-grammy-winner-talks-about-civilization-and-music/ | title = Video Games' First-Ever Grammy Winner Talks About 'Civilization' and Music | first = Evan | last = Narciesse | date = June 26, 2011 | access-date = July 27, 2018 | magazine = Time | archive-date = August 6, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190806161912/http://techland.time.com/2011/06/28/video-games-first-ever-grammy-winner-talks-about-civilization-and-music/ | url-status = live }} Tin reconnected with his former roommate Soren Johnson during his five-year college reunion at Stanford University; both had been part of an overseas program during their studies at Oxford University, with Johnson studying history and Tin studying music. Johnson told Tin at the reunion he had been working on Civilization III, and Tin expressed his love of the series to him. Some months after the reunion, Johnson contacted Tin and told him they were looking for music for the introduction for their new game Civilization IV, and wanted him to help. Johnson said they were inspired by the performances of the Stanford Talisman, an a capella group at Stanford that specialize in traditional African music, and wanted Tin to compose something similar for the theme. Tin took about a month to compose the track before recording it with Talisman for the game's track.{{cite web | url = https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/116288/Interview_Christopher_Tin__From_Civilization_IV_to_Calling_All_Dawns.php | title = Interview: Christopher Tin - From Civilization IV to Calling All Dawns | author = Jeriaska | date = September 29, 2009 | access-date = July 27, 2018 | work = Gamasutra | archive-date = July 27, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180727212123/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/116288/Interview_Christopher_Tin__From_Civilization_IV_to_Calling_All_Dawns.php | url-status = live }}
Lyrics
The lyrics of "Baba Yetu" (which means "Our Father" in Swahili) are a translation of the Lord's Prayer.{{cite web | title=Baba Yetu | website=Christopher Tin | date=2006-09-21 | url=https://christophertin.com/sheetmusic/babayetu.html | access-date=2021-08-19 | archive-date=2021-08-19 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819210305/https://christophertin.com/sheetmusic/babayetu.html | url-status=live }}[https://christophertin.com/downloads/performance-materials/-CAD/01.BabaYetu/CAD_01.BabaYetu_Lyrics.pdf Baba Yetu Lyrics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819205932/https://christophertin.com/downloads/performance-materials/-CAD/01.BabaYetu/CAD_01.BabaYetu_Lyrics.pdf |date=2021-08-19 }}
| class="wikitable" |
| M
!colspan="2" bgcolor="0"|"Baba Yetu" |
| Baba yetu, yetu uliye Mbinguni yetu, yetu amina! Baba yetu yetu uliye M Jina lako e litukuzwe. Utupe leo chakula chetu Tunachohitaji, utusamehe Makosa yetu, hey! Kama nasi tunavyowasamehe Waliotukosea usitutie Katika majaribu, lakini Utuokoe, na yule, muovu e milele! Ufalme wako ufike utakalo Lifanyike duniani kama mbinguni. (Amina) | Our Father, who art in Heaven. Amen! Our Father, Hallowed be thy name. Give us this day our daily bread, Forgive us of our trespasses, As we forgive others Who trespass against us Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one forever. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done On Earth as it is in Heaven. (Amen) |
In 2007, "Baba Yetu" was released by Alfred Music Publishing,{{cite web|title=Baba Yetu|url=http://www.alfred-music.com/product_info.php?products_id=5876|publisher=Alfred Music|access-date=January 3, 2013|archive-date=August 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808053250/http://www.alfred-music.com/product_info.php?products_id=5876|url-status=dead}} and it was rearranged by Tin for an SATB a cappella choir with optional percussion accompaniment in 2011.{{cite web|title=Baba Yetu - SATB|url=http://www.alfred-music.com/product_info.php?products_id=8660|publisher=Alfred Music|access-date=July 13, 2012|archive-date=October 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004154355/http://www.alfred-music.com/product_info.php?products_id=8660|url-status=live}} Other arrangements include SSATBB choir, TTBB choir, string orchestra, concert band, piano quintet, and piano/voice.
Reviews
"Baba Yetu" garnered much critical praise, with over 20 reviewers singling out the theme on game review websites such as IGN and GameSpy.{{cite web|last=Tin |first=Christopher |title=Press |url=http://www.christophertin.com/press.html |access-date=December 31, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116092938/http://www.christophertin.com/press.html |archive-date=January 16, 2013 }}
Awards and achievements
"Baba Yetu" was nominated for the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards in the Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals category, and on February 13, 2011, it was announced as the winner of its category, making it the first piece of music composed for a video game to be nominated for and to win a Grammy Award.{{cite news|last=Langshaw|first=Mark|title='Civ IV' theme nominated for Grammy|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/news/a291495/civ-iv-theme-nominated-for-grammy.html|access-date=December 31, 2012|newspaper=Digital Spy|date=December 5, 2010|archive-date=January 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102220353/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/news/a291495/civ-iv-theme-nominated-for-grammy.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Senior|first=Tom|title=Civilization 4 wins grammy for Baba Yetu six years after release|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/02/14/civilization-4-wins-grammy-award/|access-date=December 31, 2012|newspaper=PC Gamer|date=February 14, 2011|archive-date=April 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411004010/http://www.pcgamer.com/civilization-4-wins-grammy-award/|url-status=live}} At the 10th annual Independent Music Awards, "Baba Yetu" was the winner in the 'Song Used in Film/TV/Multimedia' and 'World Beat Song' categories.{{cite web|url=http://www.independentmusicawards.com/ima/artist/christopher-tin|title=Christopher Tin|publisher=The Independent Music Awards|access-date=December 31, 2012|archive-date=August 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120821135541/http://www.independentmusicawards.com/ima/artist/christopher-tin|url-status=live}}
Notable performances
"Baba Yetu" is a frequent piece performed during Video Games Live concerts. It has been performed at various venues and events around the world, including Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Center, Disney Concert Hall, The Dubai Fountain, the Kennedy Center, Royal Festival Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, the New Year's Concert of the sixty-seventh session of the United Nations General Assembly,{{cite AV media |title=Viva Vox Choir (Belgrade) - New Year's Concert of the 67th Session of the General Assembly |url=http://webtv.un.org/watch/viva-vox-choir-belgrade-new-years-concert-of-the-67th-session-of-the-general-assembly/2094291812001/#full-text |access-date=January 15, 2013 |date=January 14, 2013 |time=25:29 |publisher=UN Web TV |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111212254/http://webtv.un.org/watch/viva-vox-choir-belgrade-new-years-concert-of-the-67th-session-of-the-general-assembly/2094291812001/#full-text |url-status=dead }} as well as the 2017 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.{{Cite web|url=http://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/uks-most-multilingual-choir-to-mark-international-festivals-70th-anniversary-2/#more-7487|title=Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod 'UK's Most Multilingual Choir' to Mark International Festival's 70th Anniversary|website=international-eisteddfod.co.uk|date=7 July 2017|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-07-26|archive-date=2018-07-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727024430/http://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/uks-most-multilingual-choir-to-mark-international-festivals-70th-anniversary-2/#more-7487|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/entertainment/mid-wales-entertainment/2017/07/07/calling-all-nations-concert-llangollen-eisteddfod---review/|title=Calling All Nations Concert, Llangollen Eisteddfod - review|last=Drury|first=Jonny|website=www.shropshirestar.com|date=7 July 2017|language=en|access-date=2018-07-26|archive-date=2017-08-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831172906/https://www.shropshirestar.com/entertainment/mid-wales-entertainment/2017/07/07/calling-all-nations-concert-llangollen-eisteddfod---review/|url-status=live}} Notable ensembles that have performed the song include the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra,{{cite news|url=http://www.cadoganhall.com/event/the-music-of-christopher-tin-160719/|title=The Music of Christopher Tin at Cadogan Hal|date=July 19, 2016|newspaper=Cadogan Hall|access-date=August 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831131141/http://www.cadoganhall.com/event/the-music-of-christopher-tin-160719/|archive-date=August 31, 2017|url-status=dead}} Welsh National Opera,{{cite news|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/entertainment/mid-wales-entertainment/2017/07/07/calling-all-nations-concert-llangollen-eisteddfod---review/|title=Calling All Nations Concert, Llangollen Eisteddfod - review|date=July 10, 2017|newspaper=Shropshire Star|access-date=August 31, 2017|archive-date=August 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831172906/https://www.shropshirestar.com/entertainment/mid-wales-entertainment/2017/07/07/calling-all-nations-concert-llangollen-eisteddfod---review/|url-status=live}} National Symphony Orchestra,{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/01/AR2007070101112.html|title=It's All in the Playing at NSO's 'Video Games Live'|date=July 2, 2007|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=August 31, 2017|archive-date=November 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108181208/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/01/AR2007070101112.html|url-status=live}} US Navy Band,{{cite news|url=http://nairobinews.nation.co.ke/chillax/us-navy-band-performs-baba-yetu-in-kiswahili-and-its-astonishing/|title=US Navy Band Performs 'Baba Yetu' in Swahili and it's Astonishing|date=January 20, 2016|newspaper=Nairobi News|access-date=August 31, 2017|archive-date=December 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210011709/https://nairobinews.nation.co.ke/chillax/us-navy-band-performs-baba-yetu-in-kiswahili-and-its-astonishing|url-status=live}} and various YouTube artists, including Peter Hollens,{{cite news|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/136982-YouTube-Musicians-Peter-Hollens-and-Malukah-Release-Cover-Version-of-Civ-IVs-Baba-Yetu|title=Malukah and Peter Hollens Release Gorgeous Civilization IV Cover Song|date=August 21, 2014|newspaper=The Escapist|access-date=August 31, 2017|archive-date=August 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831140226/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/136982-YouTube-Musicians-Peter-Hollens-and-Malukah-Release-Cover-Version-of-Civ-IVs-Baba-Yetu|url-status=dead}} Alex Boye, BYU Men's Choir{{cite news|url=https://news.byu.edu/news/byu-mens-chorus-and-alex-boye-find-perfect-fit-baba-yetu|title=Men's Chorus and Alex Boyé find their perfect fit with 'Baba Yetu'|date=March 24, 2016|newspaper=BYU College of Fine Arts and Communication|access-date=August 31, 2017|archive-date=August 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831135642/https://music.byu.edu/byu-philharmonic/mens-chorus-and-alex-boye-find-their-perfect-fit-with-baba-yetu/|url-status=dead}} and Korean Acapella group Maytree which was praised by Tin himself.{{Citation |title=Baba Yetu (acapella) #civilization |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRDn4s5RCN8 |language=en |access-date=2022-07-24 |archive-date=2022-07-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724022651/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRDn4s5RCN8 |url-status=live }}
"Baba Yetu" is a popular contemporary choral piece, and has been sung in many competitions. Notably, the Angel City Chorale performed it during the 13th season of America's Got Talent, earning guest judge Olivia Munn's golden buzzer, advancing the choir to the live shows.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbc4i.com/news/u-s-world/angel-city-chorale-earns-olivia-munns-golden-buzzer-on-americas-got-talent/1321397564|title=Angel City Chorale earns Olivia Munn's golden buzzer on America's Got Talent|last=Staff|first=NBC4|date=2018-07-25|work=WCMH|access-date=2018-07-25|language=en-US|archive-date=2018-07-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725153247/https://www.nbc4i.com/news/u-s-world/angel-city-chorale-earns-olivia-munns-golden-buzzer-on-americas-got-talent/1321397564|url-status=live}} On the final night of that same season on the show, the acrobatic dance group Zurcaroh performed a routine to the song.{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2018/09/19/americas-got-talent-final-performance-recap-who-win-season-13/1353770002/ |title='America's Got Talent' final performance recap: Who will win Season 13? |last=Henderson |first=Cydney |date=September 19, 2018 |newspaper=USA Today |access-date=October 30, 2018 |archive-date=September 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924130248/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2018/09/19/americas-got-talent-final-performance-recap-who-win-season-13/1353770002/ |url-status=live }} In addition, the Stellenbosch University Choir won the Open, Youth, and Mixed choir categories for their performance of it at the 2018 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.{{Cite web|url=https://ctlive.info/the-stellenbosch-university-choir-performs-baba-yetu/|title=ctlive.info|website=ctlive.info|language=en-US|access-date=2018-08-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801095237/https://ctlive.info/the-stellenbosch-university-choir-performs-baba-yetu/|archive-date=2018-08-01|url-status=dead}}
On the 6th of August 2019, "Baba Yetu" was played at the signing of the Maputo Accord, which brought an end to the RENAMO insurgency in Mozambique.{{cite news|url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/08/15/mozambique-peace-accord-signing-featured-civilization-ivs-theme-song/|title=Mozambique peace-accord signing featured Civilization IV's theme song|date=August 15, 2019|newspaper=VentureBeat|access-date=December 2, 2019|archive-date=December 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209234248/https://venturebeat.com/2019/08/15/mozambique-peace-accord-signing-featured-civilization-ivs-theme-song/|url-status=live}}
In August 2023, "Baba Yetu" was performed as part of a Civ VI concert at the National Theater of Korea by the FLASIC orchestra directed by Sol Chin.{{cite web|last1=The_J|access-date=2024-12-01|title=Baba Yetu – Live from the National Theater of Korea - CivFanatics|url=https://www.civfanatics.com/2023/12/30/baba-yetu-live-from-the-national-theater-of-korea/|date=2023-12-30}}
References
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{{Civilization}}
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Category:Civilization (series)
Category:Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals