JESU A FE PADE

Composer: A. T. Olá Olude

Revd. (Dr.) Abraham Taiwo Olajide OLUDE was born at Abeokuta on July 16, 1908, to the family of Chief & Mrs. Joseph Sotayo Olude of Ikereku-Ikija, Abeokuta, Nigeria. He had his primary education at Ikereku Anglican Primary School, Abeokuta and later at Agbeni Methodist School, Ibadan. In 1921, he enrolled at Wesley College, Ibadan, where he distinguished himself as a brilliant scholar and a keen sportsman. He obtained the then Junior Cambridge Certificate and successfully completed the Sub-Pastor’s course in 1925. He remained at the same College till 1934 when he passed out as a full fledge Minister of Religion and was eventually ordained a Methodist Minister in 1938. He served the Church at various location both within the Northern and S… Go to person page >

The tune name JESU A FE PADE is the incipit of the Yoruba text; the phrase means “worship (or praise) to Jesus.” African characteristics in the tune include the polyrhythmic combination of the quarter note and the dotted quarter note in 3/4 and 6/8 time, and the call/response structure in the first, second, and fourth phrases, suggesting responsorial or antiphonal performance.

A soloist or choir should sing the lines marked “unison,” and the responding group (choir or congregation) should sing the “harmony” lines. Use small hand drums, bongo drums, tambourines, woodblocks, or “shakers” (gourds, rattles) for the optional but very effective rhythmic parts.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook, 1987