Reviewed by Veronika Van Der Walt
Mensdom is an Afrikaans punk rock band mostly from Pretoria. Translated to English, Mensdom means humanity, but the band’s name is actually ‘Mens’, which means human, and ‘dom’, which means stupid. And I think that is the message they are trying to get across with their debut track ‘Bid Vir My’: “Stupid human, stop and think where you are going? Are you going to heaven or hell when you die? Where are you going with your life? Why are you put on this earth? Are you busy with something that matters, that is making a difference in the world? Or are you one of the ‘sheep’ following the false herder, the god of money?!”
‘Bid Vir My’ has a deep emotional and religious meaning, I think, since one of the members had a very religious upbringing. Many, and I can relate to the song with having a similar upbringing, but life happens, and you make mistakes. Then you lie in bed asking yourself all those important questions mentioned above.
The song is a plea to anyone, regardless of their religion, to pray for the singer or the many who can relate. For forgiveness, for peace of mind, for a purpose, and even true love, before they return to dust where they came from. It can also be an anthem for anyone going through a difficult time.
But enough of the philosophical… ‘Bid Vir My’ is from their album Bonatuurlik, which means Supernatural. Linus Ungerer sings with such emotion, especially in the second half of the song. You can almost feel him pleading with you to calm his inner storms lol. David Francis is awesome on the guitar and shreds it towards the end, which hits you suddenly while leaving you wanting more! His brother, Dirk, compliments him well on the bass guitar while Anthony Panayotou provides the heartbeat of the song on the drums.
Mensdom makes Afrikaans music cool, and we need more bands like them. Well done, Mensdom!
Mensdom ‘Bid Vir My’ Clean Lyrics
In die middel van die nag skrik ek wakker
Dan wonder ek waar gaan ek heen as ek val
Sal daai man met vals hoop vir my kom haal
Sal ek n goue boot by die rivier afdruif
Na die land van melk en heuning
Bid vir my bid vir my
Bid dat my siel kan vrede kry
Stuur my op die rivier af
Sodat engele vir my kom haal
Wie is jou Vader, wie is jou rots?
Waars hy nou terwyl die wereld vergaan
Die een wie ek nie ken nie
Wie in my kop nie bestaan nie
Le my liggaam sagies neer
Onder n palmboom
Wat sal omval as die wind te hard waai
Bid vir my bid vir my
Bid dat my siel kan vrede kry
Stuur my op die rivier af
Sodat engele vir my kom haal
Bid vir my bid vir my
Bid tot dat die trane van jou wange afrol
Bid vir die een wie ek nie ken nie
Ons is almal net mense op die aarde
Ons maak ons bestaan oor en oor en oor
Ek is iets meer, ek wil iets beryk …
Ek wil kan liefhe
Watch The Music Video:
You can listen ‘Bid vir My’ at the following links:
‘Bid Vir My’ Single Smart Stream Link https://hypeddit.com/bidvirmy
‘Bonatuurlik’ Album Smart Stream Link https://hypeddit.com/bonatuurlik
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6dYzDh337aHBZUsHhscX9l
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/za/artist/mensdom/1523095266
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/en/artist/100495882
And follow them here:
All Links: https://linktr.ee/mensdom
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialMensdom
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialmensdom
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Mensdom
Website: https://www.mensdom.co.za
Recording, Production, Mix & Master: Wim Jansen Van Rensburg
Recording Studios: ConXion Studios
Label & Publisher: Independent | Mensdom