Makomere

The Itungu found in the country is a bowl lyre, but this instrument was a box lyre made from scraps of wood obtainable in town. He affixed a bicycle bell onto one arm of the lyre to add surprise effects, as that at the beginning of this item. The singer fought in the Burma campaign (second World War 1939-45) and the song is about a brother soilder and friend of his who died a Kalewa at the crossing of the Chindwin River. He says that as for himself he did not want to join the army again. The reiterated refrain at the end of each line means 'God bless you'. The tuning of his lyre was:- 416, 352, 304, 268, 248, 232, 208 vs. Topical song with Itungu long lyre ankle bells and gourd rattle