Words and Music composed, written and arranged by Olusegun Akinlolu. No part of these lyrics should be shared in any form or any public space without giving credit to the writer. All rights reserved. © & ℗ 2018 EniObanke
1. AGBA MEJE
Orun ní gba t’ọwọ́ ọmọdé
Láìpẹ́ láìjìn, a ó pàdé ‘ra ní’bẹ̀
Orun ní gba t’ọwọ́ ọmọdé
Ní kùtù hàì la ó tẹ̀lẹ́ ‘ra dé’bẹ̀
Àgbà méje, àgbà méje òde
Àgbà méje, àwọn àgbàgbà méje
Wọ́n ti gbé’gbá onídẹ o
Wọ́n ti sí’gbá onídẹ wò
A ti mú’ra, a m’óun bo’rí
Láìró láìfà a ó pàdé ‘ra ní’bẹ̀
A ti mú’ra, a sán ‘gbàjá
Ní tọ̀wọ̀tọ̀wọ̀ la ó tò lé’ra dé’bẹ̀
Ó kún fún ìdẹ̀ra, kún fún ìdùnnú, kún fún ‘ròyìn ayọ̀
Ó kún fún ètò, kún fún ìlànà, kún fún ìgboyà
Wọ́n ní a gbé’ra ní’lẹ̀, ká ṣ’àtúnṣe ò e
(Now that the young are deep in slumber
We shall dress and hasten to join the others
Early in the morning, before the dew
We are dressed, heads covered
Without wasting any time, we shall meet up there
We are dressed, waist wraps tied
With calm we shall follow one another
They’ve lifted the brass pot, the seven elders,
They’ve opened the brass pot, the seven wise ones
Bursting with Peace, Happiness, and Good Tidings
Brimming with Order, Guidance and Courage
Loudly proclaiming:
“Lift yourselves and make those changes now”)
2. RALLY
It’s another morning, and the people gathering
Want a brand new story; jig your memory
Some will get you tearing, some will get you laughing
Some will get you cringing, yeah, pleading for your life
Some are so enticing, really captivating
Some are full of detail, yeah, but it’s just another tale
Will it build harmony around here?
Will the world wake up to a new light?
Shine it all on the bloodsuckers everywhere
Fancy that!
It’s another gray day, no matter how you pray
Rainbows are a fortune away; chase the arc forever
We’re here anticipating, some gesticulating
Don’t know what they think they’re getting
The bus is going nowhere
The tale-teller is stomping, his groove is fascinating
This funk is meant to keep you dreaming; reality it’s not
Will it build harmony around here?
Will the world wake up to a new light?
Shine it all on the bloodsuckers everywhere
Fancy that!
People still keep on living; nobody has a clue
They will tell you times are hard
But nobody cares to know
People still keep on struggling on
Through the horror and the aches
Through the triumphs and the lows
Well, we’re all just marking time…
3. GẸDẸGBẸ
Wọ́n ní ká ṣ’iṣẹ́ l’ásìkò iṣẹ́ - iṣẹ́ iṣẹ́ l’ásìkò iṣẹ́
Wọ́n ní ká ṣ’eré l’ásìkò eré - eré eré l’ásìkò eré
Ká f’oun tó tó’jú bọ́’jú, ká f’oun tó tó’mú fín’mú
Wọ́n ní ká ṣ’iṣẹ́ l’ásìkò iṣẹ́ - iṣẹ́ iṣẹ́ l’ásìkò iṣẹ́
A kọ̀ a ò ṣ’iṣẹ́, a mí pè’dè àlọ̀ - eré eré l’ásìkò eré
Ká f’oun tó tó’jú bọ́’jú, ká f’oun tó tó’rí wé’rí o, wé’rí o
K’ónílé kó ṣọ́’lé rẹ̀, k’ọ́lọ́dẹ̀ kó gbáradì
Gẹ̀dẹ̀gbẹ̀ nbọ̀ kẹ gbọ́, Gẹ̀dẹ̀gbẹ̀ nbọ̀ lọ́nà
K’ọ́lọ́mọ kó tọ́’mọ rẹ̀, k’ólóun kó yẹ’ra wò
Gẹ̀dẹ̀gbẹ̀ nbọ̀ kẹ gbọ́, Gẹ̀dẹ̀gbẹ̀ olórò ọjà oko
Wọ́n ní ká ṣ’iṣẹ́ l’ásìkò iṣẹ́ - iṣẹ́ iṣẹ́ l’ásìkò iṣẹ́
Wọ́n ní ká ṣ’eré l’ásìkò eré - eré eré l’ásìkò eré
Ká f’oun tó tó’jú bọ́’jú, ká f’oun tó tó’mú fín’mú
Wọ́n ní ká ṣ’ayé ní pẹ̀lẹ́pẹ̀lẹ́ - ilé ayé ní pẹ̀lẹ́pẹ̀lẹ́
Ká má f’owó dípò ìwà
Ká f’oun tó tó’jú bọ́’jú, ká f’oun tó tó’rí wé’rí o, wé’rí o
K’ónílé kó ṣọ́’lé rẹ̀, k’ọ́lọ́dẹ̀ kó gbáradì
Gẹ̀dẹ̀gbẹ̀ nbọ̀ kẹ gbọ́, Gẹ̀dẹ̀gbẹ̀ nbọ̀ lọ́nà
K’ọ́lọ́mọ kó tọ́’mọ rẹ̀, k’ólóun kó yẹ’ra wò
Gẹ̀dẹ̀gbẹ̀ nbọ̀ kẹ gbọ́, Gẹ̀dẹ̀gbẹ̀ olórò ọjà oko
(They say we should work when it is time for work
And play when it is time to play;
We stick to our guns, refuse to do right.
They said we should tread gently, avoid strife
And never place material wealth above good character
Wash the face with the right material
Clear the nose with what is appropriate
Cover the head with what it requires.
Landlords, guard your doors
Heads of compounds, gird your loins
Gedegbe is coming, can you hear?
Gedegbe is storming up.
Parents, watch over your children
Owners watch over your things
Gedegbe is coming, can you hear?
Gedegbe, enforcer of distant markets)
4. ON AGAIN
So you peel the surface, don’t like what you see
Lost in the maze and it’s all a mystery to you
Well, you must know what you’re running from
Where you’re running to
Why you’re in the race anyway
You must know who you’re running with,
How you’re doing it, and what’s the prize?
Well, now you should know
So your heart is burning, something’s got to give
Caught in the web, many roads leading nowhere
Well, you must know what you’re running from
Where you’re running to
Why you’re in the race anyway
You must know who you’re running with,
How you’re doing it, and what’s the prize?
Well, now you should know
Take a break, look yourself in the mirror
Hear the rhythm of hope
Love is here, when you’re ready, when you’re ready
You are on again!
So the dream is over, got to face the truth
When the chase is done
Who will be waiting for you?
You’re on again!
They just called your number
You’re on again!
5. MỌWỌRẸSIRE
“Onítibí yẹn nlọ, ó mà ṣe bẹbẹ
Wọ́n l’óun t’ó ti gbé ṣe, ó mà tóbi o
L’ọ́jọ́ ọjọ́ yẹn, ó ṣe kísà, ó ná’wó ná’ra
Ọ̀nà rèé, kálọ ká fi hàn ọ́”
La’jú rẹ sílẹ̀ ko r’ẹ́yìn atanijẹ
La’tí rẹ sílẹ̀, ko gbọ́’rọ̀ òtítọ́ nì
Ẹni nṣ’ọdún owó yẹn, ṣ’ó l’áyọ̀ nínú?
Gbogbo oun tó ndán kọ́ ni wúrà o
Jọ̀wọ́ m’ọ́wọ́ rẹ sí’re ọ̀rẹ́, ṣè’wọ̀n t’ápá rẹ bá ká àbúrò
Má ṣe wù’wà ìbàjẹ́, má ṣe k’ẹ́gbẹ́ ọlọ́tẹ̀
Ọ̀nà tóró yẹn ló l’ádùn gangan
Jọ̀wọ́ m’ọ́wọ́ rẹ sí’re ọ̀rẹ́, ṣè’wọ̀n t’ápá rẹ bá ká àbúrò
Má ṣe mọ̀dàrú, má ṣe k’ẹ́gbẹ́ ọlọ́bùn
Ìwà rere yẹn ní f’ọkàn ẹni ba’lẹ̀
Àgbà sọ fún wa ní’gbà ọ̀dọ́ o, ẹni ire
Wọ́n ló yẹ k’ọ́mọlúàbí ní ìtẹ́lọ́rùn
Ká má fì ‘ka mẹ́wà́ jẹun lẹ́ẹ̀kan
T’àìgbọ́n kọ́ ni ká ṣe pẹ̀lẹ́
Ẹni l’ọ́lá ìyẹn á mà bá’lẹ̀ lọ
Ẹni ò ní kò ní kọjá ọjọ́ tirẹ̀
Ká má ṣe bí ọlọ́rọ̀ tó gbàgbé ọgbọ́n
Ìwal tó dára ló ga jù o
("Here goes the cool guy
Amazing things he has achieved in no time
The other day, he spent so much money.
We can show you the way too”
Well, you’d better keep your eyes open, see beyond the lies
Open your ears to the true wisdom of the ancients
Is there any joy beneath the affluence?
Not all that glitters is gold
Please set your hands to good deeds
Always do the best you can, dear one
Avoid assemblies of deceit and slothful company
The unpopular path, narrow and difficult,
Is the one that leads to peace and joy
The elders told us when we were young
That a true being must have contentment
Not to eat with the ten fingers at once
Calmness is not stupidity.
The wealthy one will meet his end someday
And so will the lowly
We must not act like the rich one who shunned wisdom
Good character should be our greatest goal)
6. CONGOLIONESS
Congolioness, your fiery eyes bore into my soul
I am lonely in the crowd but I know you’re not far away
Every moment feels like eternity, every step a pain
But my heart will never be at peace till I am with you
Every day, and every night, they will be an adventure
We will play, we will fight like all lovers do
Congolioness, your magic smile’s calling me home
Congolioness, this is the fate of a lonely heart
Cast adrift upon a sea of worry, drained of all strength
Chameleon perches in the air, river doesn’t flow
And I shiver on the banks of fate, waiting for your boat
Every season, like a dream, floats away in a daze
I am warm, I am cold; all I need is you
Congolioness, your magic smile’s calling me home
Well, I know, I know, I know, I know
I’ve been perambulating, dancing off-beat
But before my time is over sweet darling
I’d like to be with you again
Well, I know, I know, I know, I know
You’re the goal of my quest, the reason for my breath
And before my time is over sweet darling
I’d like to hold your hands again
7. COMING AT YOU
These are not the words we throw over the fence
To a naughty neighbour in anger
These are not the careless words we spit
When drunk and filled with self-importance, no
These are bound in chains, dancing to ridicule
Wrapped in crooked memories
Of what was begun left unfinished.
These are not the words we chant
In our holy congregations, enraptured
These are not the words of arrogance
Hurled at you by a man of book and learning
These are painted red for the loves we’ve lost
And the pain we spread around
On the sodden sands of time
And look, they’re coming at you.
These are not the words you put to bed
With a lullaby of metaphors
These are not the words you clothe
In the linen of doublespeak and hyperbole
These are bound in hope, for a mighty change
Stir up all the slumberers
To the rising sun of a new day.
These are not the words you quote
When in court and they ask you “Why?”
These are not the feathery words we breathe
To cover up an errant flatulence, no
These are made for joy, for the ecstasy
For every day we ride out
On the alphabets of transformation
And look, they’re coming at you.
8. BI OYIN
I’ve been riding, flying high
On a feeling so divine
I’ve been reaching for a dream
With many wings in the wind
Can you feel it, read it, see it
In my heart so unclad?
Virgin child, my soul is pure and I’m all new
Ìfẹ́ ló nmú‘nú mi dùn
Àwọn ọ̀rọ̀ rẹ ló nmú‘nú mi dùn
Ẹ̀rín rẹ ló nmú‘nú mi dùn
Ìwà rẹ ló nmú‘nú mi dùn
Amúnúdùn yùngbà yùngbà yùngbà - bí oyin!
(Love is making me happy
Your words are making me happy
Your smile is making me happy
Your character is making me happy
Makes me happy, so deliriously happy!)
There’ll be razzles, dazzles, sparkles
On this glowing dancefloor
Happy feet stepping to the rhythm in abandon
I’m not afraid to take my chances, not scared anymore
Now you’re here, everything is perfect, don’t you see?
9. AFURUGBIN
Ṣèbí ka ṣá ti jẹun, ká ti l’ówó, ká ti k’ọ́rọ̀ jọ
Àní ka ṣá ti wọ’ṣọ, ká ti kọ́’lé, ká fì bí ìjì
Òpònú wa’yé mọ́’yà, ṣ’ọ́jọ́ ẹ̀dá ò wá dẹ̀ ní’ye bí?
Àní ka ṣá ṣe rere, fúrúgbìn ayọ̀ f’ẹ́ni nbọ̀ l’ọ́nà
Ẹ ṣe jẹ́jẹ́, ẹ má ṣe rẹ̀wẹ̀sì
Ẹ̀ bá ṣe kiá, ẹ má ṣ’ọ̀lẹ
Ká ṣe’un tó dára l’ásìkò ìwà
Ẹni t’ó l’ágbára kó ro’nú
Ìfẹ́ owó ti j’ọba, ṣ’óun ṣá ni ò jẹ́ a r’ọ́nà ayọ̀
Àní ka ṣá ti l’ọ́là, bó ti wù k’ọ́dọ̀ ó bàjẹ́
Ìfẹ́ bo’rí àdájẹ, ṣ’óun ní m’ógo ìlú tàn yànyàn
Pẹ̀lú ìfọwọ́sowọ́pọ̀ la ó b’orí ìdènà gbogbo
Ẹ ṣe jẹ́jẹ́, ẹ má ṣe rẹ̀wẹ̀sì
Ẹ̀ bá ṣe kiá, ẹ má ṣ’ọ̀lẹ
Ká ṣe’un tó dára l’ásìkò ìwà
Ẹni t’ó l’ágbára kó ro’nú
(Is it not just to eat, to have money, be wealthy?
Just to have fancy clothes, houses, sway free like the wind?
The unwise one takes it all to heart
As if a man’s days are not numbered
Shouldn’t we just strive to sow good seeds,
And leave a happy trail for future wayfarers?
The love of money is now king
That’s why we no longer see the path of joy
We all crave material wealth
Irrespective of who is hurt in the process
But a city only thrives when its wealth is accessible to all
And if we work together there’s no impediment
Strong enough to stop our progress
Take it easy out there but don’t delay
Move along, don’t be lazy
Let’s do great things in our time
And let those who have power embrace wisdom)
10. GOODFELLA
In the land of the blind, the one-eyed fool is king
Mediocrity is the jewel in the ruler’s crown
Corruption of the mind, blood upon the hand
Every leader is a sell-out, every follower a broken soul
So, beware goodfella you’re now in a lion’s den
And no manner of prayer is going to save your pride
They’ll mash you and kick you and dance around your pain
As you lie upon the fangs of the vicious beast
Like the vultures on the hill waiting upon the dying
They suck from the poor, the weak, even the little child
They claw their way up the ladder with a foul smell
Greed is their banner and wickedness their shield
Beware goodfella you’re now in a lion’s den
This land where no one speaks when evil is done
We cower in fear and quietly slink away
Because no one dares to look in the eyes of the beast
(But) Mother’s calling, calling the children of hope
The wind is turning (good fortune is on the way)
So the war to be fought will not be with a gun
We transform our minds and the works of our hands
Together lift up the arms of Mother Justice
Merit and excellence in everything we do
But beware good people they won’t go silently
This army of evil will fight to the very last
For the living, downtrodden and the ones yet unborn
We shall sweep away the rot of the stinky beast
And Mother’s calling, calling the children of hope
The wind is turning (good fortune is on the way)
11. BACK TO CALM
Well the earth is spinning on its axis
And the sun is beaming bright at noon
The rain is falling in due season
And I’m happy for those whose stocks are rising
You see the road I walk is not easy
I hurt in places no one can see
Still I have no regrets and want no pity
All I really need is a moment of warmth
Just to be with you, be with you
I want to be with you, be with you
Just to be with you, be with you
For one moment in time
Just to be with you, be with you
I want to be with you, be with you
Just to be with you, be with you
You bring me back to calm
Shifting alliances got you in a bind
No anchor for this state of mind
It’s not hysteria, just a simple need
And all the acting up may be a call for help
They say I have no hope of making it here
Economic chains are not my thing
Still I hold tight to my haughty ways
But when the pressure is high I know that all I want
Is to be with you, be with you
I want to be with you, be with you…
12. GUARDIANS
Waiting for the one with a heart of gold
Who will take away the pain and lead us home
Waiting for a trumpet call that never comes
We could be reaching for a dream that’s more realistic
Pull away the shades and see more clearly
Not bury your head in the sand and rape the earth
Don’t you know it’s a fairy tale that someone’s coming
You’ll believe anything as long as you do nothing
Don’t you know it’s all fairly simple to the babe
We could be what we wish and it’s all there in our hands
We could be the guardians of our fate
Walking down the street with faceless strangers
Everybody’s going nowhere and somewhere
Could it be that I’m the one who’s lost the faith
When the evening comes they flock together
Asking for the secret of my smile
How do you begin to unlock a frozen mind?
Don’t you know it’s all indoctrination, mind slavery
They’ve got you praying, salivating
Fighting for what you don’t need
Don’t you know it’s all fairly simple to the babe
We could build good places full of love and tenderness
We could be the guardians of our fate
Home at the republic of the black sheep,
And you can stand out
Here at the brook of soul liberation
You can build, you can be, you can stand out
You can build, you can breathe, yes you can
13. ỌLỌJA
Mo k’áwo s’ọ́jà nṣ’ajé
Agbéwiri f’ẹ̀sọ̀ kó wọn lọ
Ó l’ọ́ba ló mà rán ‘un ní’ṣẹ́ olè
Ojú mi pàkò nwòran.
A gb’ọ́kà sí’lẹ̀ ká jẹun - ká fi’un sínú
Ọlọ́bùn yí pẹ̀tẹ̀ k’ọ́wọ́ sí’nú rẹ̀ – pọ̀ṣọ̀pọ̀ṣọ̀
Abọ́nisíhòhò tí nf’ewé bo tirẹ̀
Ẹnu mi sùtì ò r’ọ́rọ̀ sọ
Onísùúrù é mà í ṣe t’ọ̀dẹ̀ o
Àní ka má jà ló jù o
Ha ha ha ha, yé Ọlọ́jà, ẹ gba ni, ẹ la ni, ẹ gba ni
A gbé’lù sí’lẹ̀ ká ṣe’ré
Wọn l’áwọn l’ó kàn láti jó l’ágbo
Ẹlẹ́sẹ̀ mẹ́rìnlá fi mú fọn fèrè
Etí mi fẹ̀nfẹ̀ ò f’áriwo
Onísùúrù é mà í ṣe t’òmùgọ̀ o
Àní ka má jà ló jù o
Ha ha ha ha, yé Ọlọ́jà, ẹ gba ni, ẹ la ni, ẹ gba ni
(I set my wares out in the market
The marauder comes by, grabs them all
Says he’s only following the king’s order
Aghast, I can only stare blankly.
We set the table for a meal
Filth staggers in and dips his fingers
Public embarrassment, his stock-in-trade
Surprised, I can only stand there, mute.
But patience, you should know, is not idiocy
One is only trying to avoid a fight
Hey, Market Queen, do you job now
Address this injustice!
We set up our drums to play
They butt in and claim it’s their turn
Fourteen-legged clowns with trumpet noses
My ears, large as they are, do not like noise!
Patience, you should know, is not idiocy
One is only trying to avoid a fight
Hey, Market Queen, do you job now
Set right this injustice!
14. HALO
I am seeking for the source of your mystery anger
They say it flows and never ends
I am reaching in the dark, sinking in deeper
Hopelessly, I am lost in emptiness
And only one of us will emerge as the hero
One of us will wear the halo
One of us will have to follow the sorrow of a broken dream
And I am the one
I am reaching for the key to unlock my feet
Get them shuffling to the light
But my mind is stuck in you: yesterday was great
Where was I and darling who are you?
And only one of us will emerge as the hero
One of us will wear the halo
One of us will have to follow the sorrow of a broken dream
And I am the one
Words like arrows that you shoot staple up my tongue
I am numb and now you’re deaf
Here at the point of no return
These two ragged rowers, they will part, unfortunately
And only one of us will emerge as the hero
One of us will wear the halo
One of us will have to follow the sorrow of a broken dream
And I am the one
15. RIBOTO
Ilé olówó ni mo lọ
Owó dùn ní, owó dára, ẹni bá ni kó ṣe gbádùn rẹpẹtẹ
Ilé ọlọ́lá la bá wọn lọ
Ọláyẹmí, ọlákànmí, ọlálérè, ó nbu’yì fún ni l’áwùjọ
Ilé ọlọ́mọ la lọ, ye…
Pariboto rìbótó mo gb’ọ́mọ jó o è
Taní lè bi kó má gbe jó? Mo gb’ọ́mọ jó o è
Ṣ’ẹ́yin lè bi kẹ má gbe jó? Mo gb’ọ́mọ jó o è
Ìwọ lè bi ko má gbe jó? Mo gb’ọ́mọ jó o è
Taní lè bi kó má gbe jó? Mo gb’ọ́mọ jó o è
Ilé ọba la bá wọn lọ
Adérẹ̀mí, adéwuyì, adélànà
K’áyé tòrò, k’ílù́ dùn yùngbà
Ilé olóyè ọ̀tọ̀kùlú, wọn ò jẹ́ f’ọ̀rọ̀ àwa ṣe’ré
Amúlù́dùn akọ́nilọ́gbọ́n, n’ílé ọlọ́mọ, ha…
Ọmọ la ó fi gbé jó
Ọwọ́ osùn l’ọwọ́ àwa
(We’ve been to the homes of the rich
Isn’t it nice to have money?
We’ve also been to the places of the wealthy
Who wouldn’t love some of that?
We’ve performed in halls of royalty
Among princes and princesses,
And in the presence of the powerful
But the best is when a new child is born
That is the place to be…
Pariboto riboto, I dance the baby
Who can have one and not cuddle it?
Who can have a child and not nurture it?
Can you have one and not dance it?
We shall use them to cuddle children
These our hands, covered in camwood powder
We shall use them to dance our children)