KOUDJAY
SSA with Optional Percussion
Philosophy of Koudjay
“A time for everything and everything in its time… A time to laugh and a time to cry… A time to sow and a time to reap,” says Ecclesiastes. Human existence requires a certain balance and harmonization of life’s activities. Work is essential, but leisure is vital for an authentic development of mankind.
-Gabriel T. Guillaume
Hatian Creole (and *French)
Yon lè pou plante
Yon lè pou rekòlte. Yon lè pou travay
Yon lè pou koudjay.
Jodi a se repoze. Jodi a se banboche. Majòjon, pran devan, Mizisyen annavan!
Bat tanbou jwe twonpèt, Violon ak klarinèt.
Mizisyen, kantado, an nou taye banda. An nou chante, danse merenge, kalinda. Jodi a se koudjay. N ap fete tèt kale San danje, san traka. N ap chante, n ap danse Lavi a mande sa.
Tout la sent jounen n ap travay N ap redi, n ap fè bèl bagay. Nou plante, nou plante, Nou simen, aroze.
Kounye a, an nou repoze, Nou dwe repoze, danse merenge.
Kounye a, an nou banboche, Danse kalinda, danse, zouke Annatandan nou rekòlte.
* « Un temps pour chaque chose, et chaque chose en son temps. » Se yon pawòl sakre ke nou dwe obsève.
Mizisyen annavan, jodi a se koudjay!
Taye banda, danse, zouke, Jodi a se koudjay!
-Gabriel T. Guillaume
IPA guide on the last page of this score.
English
A time to sow and a time to reap. A time for work and a time for leisure. Today we rest. Today we celebrate. Drum major, lead on, Musicians, play on!
Beat the drums, blow the trumpet, Play the violin and clarinet. Musicians, singers, let’s show them what we’ve got. Let’s sing, dance meringue and kalinda, Today is the big feast!
We will party like there’s no tomorrow With no fear, nor danger. We will sing and dance As life requires it.
All day long we’ve been at work
Laboring, making a difference. We sowed and planted, We scattered and watered. Now it’s time to relax, We must take a break and dance meringue. Now it’s time to let go, Time to kalinda and ‘zouk’ While we await the harvest.
“A time for everything, and everything in its time.”
That is a sacred quote that we must observe.
Musicians, play on, it’s party time! Dance and ‘zouk’ like there’s no tomorrow, Today is “Koudjay”!
About the Composer
Sydney Guillaume’s compositions are known to be intricate, challenging and highly spirited and are performed by ensembles worldwide. Many of his choral works, most with original poetry by his father Gabriel T. Guillaume, have fostered an awareness of the beautiful Haitian culture and continue to serve as an ambassador for his native country.
Sydney Guillaume currently resides in Portland, Oregon working as a full-time composer, conductor, and clinician. His recent activities as conductor include the 2024 ACDA Southern Region Conference Advanced SATB Honor Choir, the 2022 Georgia All-State Senior Treble Choir, and the 2019 Florida All-State Middle School Treble Chorus, and the 2018 Maine All-State High School Mixed Chorus.
Duration: Approx. 3:35
Majòjon,prandevan,
