This treasury of Bantu folk songs is unique among Pete Seeger’s Folkways’ recordings—not because of its interpretation of Bantu choral polyphony, but rather because of the dialogue it creates between the folk music of South Africa and the United States. Seeger’s arrangements for the American high school choral group the Song Swappers contain several changes which allow the Bantu music to fall more neatly into the American folk tradition, including lively banjo accompaniment, adjustments in rhythm and harmony, and newly composed English lyrics in two of the pieces. Liner notes include a foreword by Richard A. Waterman, an introduction by Pete Seeger, partial text translations, and notation for each choral arrangement.

Track Listing