Girma Tibebu [ግርማ ጥበቡ] was born in the Jimma (?) region in _ _ _. He was one of the founders and leaders of the influential Jimma Hiwot Berhan Choir. Girma contributed many songs to the choir. He also played accordion and clarinet in the ensemble. Many of his hymns are included in the hymn books entitled Səbhat läʼamlak [ስብሐት ለአምላክ, Praise be to God] and Mərt mäzmurat [ምርጥ መዝሙራት, Selected songs]. Among his favourite songs are ሸክም ይሰማሃል ወይ [Do you feel a burden?], ያ ነው ደስታዬ [That’s my joy], and በርታ መንገደኛው ምእመን ሆይ [Oh faithful traveller].
Girma Tibebu is a singer who shuns public recognition and praise. He walks and talks with humility and wants to be honoured only by the Lord of all things. Until now, he accompanies himself on the accordion and serves wherever he is invited.
Songs in hymn books
Mərt mäzmurat [ምርጥ መዝሙራት], 1975ff
Lyrics: 1:3, 2:32, 3:4; Lyrics & Melody: 1:4, 1:17, 1:20, 1:21, 1:24, 1:30, 1:31, 1:32, 1:35, 1:46, 1:48, 2:2, 2:6, 2:7, 2:8, 2:11, 2:12, 2:18, 2:19, 2:20, 2:21, 2:24, 2:29, 2:33, 2:37, 2:39, 2:42, 2:44, 2:47, 2:49, 3:9, 3:10, 3:11, 3:23, 3:27, 3:33, 3:34, 3:36, 3:39, 3:40, 4:27, 4:41, 5:13, 5:32, 6:18, 6:22, 6:26, 6:29, 6:31, 6:34, 6:35, 6:37
Səbhat läʼamlak [ስብሐት ለአምላክ]. Vol. 1, 2nd edition, 2007
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Connect
» Contact Girma Tibebu via Facebook (?)
Audio
[2024 cover song no longer available.
Alternatively, listen to the Jimma Hiwot Berhan Choir’s song collection:]
Pictures
Facebook post, Dec. 24, 2022
Further reading
» Read Amharic biography (presented at a recognition ceremony in 2022)