Name: Noell
Duration: P00H04M04S
Description: Noell Mwale was the first in his village to go public about his HIV infection, assembling the entire village solely to proclaim his status. He has since founded a community support group and voluntarily bicycle-taxis sick people the 17 kms to the district hospital. "I am ready to fight this war with you." - Noell

Noell

from Mau a Malawi: Stories of AIDS by Peter Mawanga & Andrew Finn Magill

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Noell Mwale was the first in his village to go public about his HIV infection, assembling the entire village solely to proclaim his status. He has since founded a community support group and voluntarily bicycle-taxis sick people the 17 kms to the district hospital. "I am ready to fight this war with you." - Noell

lyrics

I wish to speak today as your neighbor
To all of you who wonder why I'm ill
Yes I'm positive but no one cursed me
And neighbors stand beside each other still
Yes I have it and I'm living
I know how precious that is

I started a support group in my house
Where tobacco hangs from string like arms of gold
In weeks they trickled in searching for guidance
Until their numbers my house couldn't hold

One by one they started testing
Coming to my house Tuesdays at two,
A while village taken by a war cry
Piercing through the silence I once knew

Yes I have it but I'm living
I know how precious that is
Yes we have it but we're living
We know how precious that is

Idza kuno m'bale/Ifetonse tiu
Usaope konse kuno tingathandizane
Bwera kuno naye/Ife kuno tiu
Chala chimodzi sichipha nsabwe bwera tidzathandizane

Translation:
Come along my friend
Come let us all gather
Don't be afraid, it's a good fellowship
Bring your friend along
Come to this gathering
Just one finger cannot crush lice so come let us all gather help from our friends.

credits

from Mau a Malawi: Stories of AIDS, released October 12, 2011
Jorge Izquierdo: English lead vocal
George Mkandawire: Chichea lead vocal
Peter Mawanga: percussion and Chichwa backing vocals
Andrew Finn Magill: guitar
Alfred Sitolo: bass

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about

Andrew Finn Magill Asheville, North Carolina

For twenty years violinist/fiddler and composer Andrew Finn Magill has been pursuing parallel careers in traditional Irish music, Brazilian choro, jazz and American fiddle and he has performed with everyone from grammy-nominees Trio Brasileiro to Rising Appalachia. ... more