Girma Tibebu

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 favorite songs are ሸክም ይሰማሃል ወይ [Do you feel a burden?], ያ ነው ደስታዬ [That’s my joy], and በርታ መንገደኛው ምእመን ሆይ [Oh faithful traveler].

Girma Tibebu was a singer who shuned public recognition and praise. He walked and talked with humility, wanting to be honored only by the Lord of all things. He accompanied himself on the accordion and served wherever he is invited.

Girma Tibebu passed away in 2026.

Tribute to Brother Girma Tibebu

by Yared Kassa Woldemariam (see reel below)

“We remember with gratitude our beloved brother Girma Tibebu, who has just gone to be with the Lord. He composed many of the well-known Jimma Choir songs in the early 1970s and made a lasting contribution to evangelical church music.

Brother Girma was one of the first singers in the Mulu Wengel Choir. He later joined Pastor Assefa Alemu in Jimma, where together they formed a new choir that played an important role in the growth of evangelical church worship and music.

His musical vision helped expand church worship from the simple use of accordion and guitar to the addition of instruments such as saxophones, clarinets, and others, enriching the sound and expression of praise in the evangelical churches.

Through his songs and faithful ministry, Brother Girma left a legacy that continues to bless many believers. Though he has now gone to be with the Lord, the impact of his life and music will continue to inspire generations.

Among his well-known songs are:

1. ሸክም ይሰማሃል ወይ?
2. ለኔስ ጌታ ብቻ ጌታ ይሻለኛል
3. እልል ብዬ ልቀበለው
4. መቼ ነው ያ ግዜ “

Songs in hymnbooks

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

Audio

ሸክም ይሰማሃል ወይ? (Mert Mazmurat 1:20; [re]published in 2025):

[2024 cover song no longer available]

Alternatively, listen to the Jimma Hiwot Berhan Choir’s song collection:

Reel

Tribute to Eva. Girma Tibebu
(publ. in 2026 by Yared Kassa Woldemariam):