Elias

Album: Silent Steeples (2004)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Elias is a man from Zimbabwe who Chad Urmston, a member of Dispatch, met while visiting the country in 1994. Elias, along with his wife and two sons, Honest and Manuel, live in Sector 17, one of Zimbabwe's most heavily HIV/AIDS infected areas. Chad wrote the song about them after he left Zimbabwe. He promised to write letters to Elias, but import/export laws prevented the letters form getting to the family. Soon after he got word that Elias, Manuel and Honest are alive and well. Zimbabwe is one of the world's most heavily HIV/AIDS-infected countries in the world. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Thea - Litchfield, CT
  • The first three verses are in sung in Shona, a language spoken in Zimbabwe. The first part deals with friendship and means that when you're feeling bereft of hope, don't be afraid to lean on your friends to get you through. The second part is a typical greeting in Zimbabwe. "Coz e wah he" means "Are you strong?" The reply to this is, "I am strong if you are strong." And then the greater replies with, "I am strong."
  • Dispatch created a fund called The Elias Fund that tries to reach out to the youths around the world, encouraging them to be aware of global situations and be an active voice on outstanding issues. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Aislinn - Hamilton, Canada, for above 2

Comments: 5

  • Sarah from PaI raised my children with this CD. It is a genuinely beautiful song.
  • Alyssa from Georgia,the begginning is actually a prayer. they explain it on the dvd of the zimbabwe concert.
  • Alex from Blah, OhIts not "Coz e wah he". Its spelled "Kwaziwai" Which means "How are you" not "are you strong"
    The beginning is as follows.

    Dai Jesu achoinekwa ndaizofara naye
    If I could meet my Jesus I would be very happy with him.

    Taizofara naye
    We would be happy with him

    Kwaziwai?
    How are you?

    Makasimba, here?
    How are you feeling?

    Ndakasimba kana makisimbawo
    I am fine and I hope the same for you

    Ndakasimba, ndakasimba
    I am fine, oh I am fine.
  • Erica from Warrenton, VaVery Inspirational!
  • Ryan from Not Important, NyGreat song, powerful meaning, im gratefull that Brad steps out to those in need like those in section 17.

    You guys rule!
    Donate to the eliasfund guys.

    ryan
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.

Bill Withers

Bill WithersSongwriter Interviews

Soul music legend Bill Withers on how life experience and the company you keep leads to classic songs like "Lean On Me."

The Police

The PoliceFact or Fiction

Do their first three albums have French titles? Is "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" really meaningless? See if you can tell in this Fact or Fiction.