A cantor of the Church of Ethiopia, at Aksum, he is held to be the father of Ethiopian sacred music. Tradition attributes to him the composition of the liturgical chant, the zema, and the great hymn books sung to this day. His figure unites the prayer, poetry and song of a people.
In their own words
Holy is your glory, Lord, which heaven and earth sing without end.
Hymns of the Deggwa (tradition attributed to Yared)