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. © & ℗ 2004 EniObanke
1. IBA F’ỌLỌJỌ
Ọlọ́jọ́ òní ìbà rẹ
A ṣè’bà, a júbà, a wọ́lẹ̀, af’oríbalẹ̀ f’Ọ́lọ́jọ́ ò e
Àwa dé olú ọ̀run, a ṣè’bà f’Ólọ́jọ́ o
Baba ò mà lè r’ọ́mọ k’ó má m’ọmọ
Wá gb’ọpẹ́ wa, wá gb’àdúrà wa
Lọ́jọ́ òní o, b’a ṣe njáde lọ o
K’á má ṣìṣe o, k’ayé ó rójú, k’á má ṣìṣọ o
Àwa dé olú ọ̀run, a ṣè’bà f’Ólọ́jọ́ o
Baba ò mà lè r’ọ́mọ k’ó má m’ọmọ!
We pay homage to He who owns today
Lord of the heavens, we bow before thee
A father never overlooks the needs of a child.
May our supplication meet your favour.
As we go out this day,
May we encounter only good fortune.
We come before thee, owner of all days
A father always recognises his child.
2. AWILELE
Má a dún, má a dún, onílu mì, má a dún, má a dún
Má a fọ́n, má a fọ́n, onífèrè yí o, má a fọ́n, má a fọ́n o
Ẹ má a kọ́, ẹ má a kọ́, ẹ̀yin elégbè mi, ẹ má a kọ́, ẹ má a kọ́
À ní kó ma a ro - Àwilele!
L’étí ẹlẹ́gàn o - Àwilele!
L’étí kẹ́nimámàní o - Àwilele!
Awọn aṣenibánidárò - Àwilele!
Wọ́n sọ ’lé owó d’ahoro - Àwilele!
Wọ́n ti sọ’lé ọlọ́ọ̀rá d’aṣálẹ̀, wọ́n sọ ’lé owó d’ahoro o
(Play on drummer, play on
Blow hard, my hornsman, blow
Sing, back up singers, sing
Let it ring loud
In the ears of the unbelievers,
The greedy and the selfish
They have turned the house into an empty shell
Ravaged a fertile land into a desert)
Tani yíò r’ogun - taló fẹ́ j’agun?
Ogun ọ̀rọ̀ mà ló kàn yí o - ó dé, jagunjagun dé!
Ogun ọ̀rọ̀ mà ló kàn yí o - ó dé, jagunjagun dé!
Ẹní bá le kọ́ k’ó má a kọ́, ẹní bá le sọ́ k’ó má a sọ́
Ẹní bá le kọ́ lórin o - à ní ẹ má a sọ́ (3ce)
Ogun ọ̀rọ̀ mà ló kàn yí o - ó dé, jagunjagun dé!
Ogun ọ̀rọ̀ mà ló kàn yí o - ó dé, jagunjagun dé!
(So who wants to go to this war of words?
Let those who can write go ahead
Let those who can speak open up
Let them who can sing belt it out
In this war of words)
Ṣó dáa k’ọ́mọ ẹnìkan má a wọ’ṣọ tuntun l’ójojúmọ́
K’ọ́mọ ẹnìkan má a w’àkísà kiri
Ṣó dáa k’ọ́mọ ẹnìkan má a re’lé ìwé olówó nlá
K’ọ́mọ ẹnìkan má a re sùkúù abẹ́ igi
À ní tó bá da, ẹ jẹ́ a má a ba lọ - ẹ jẹ́ a má a ba bọ̀
Tó bá da, ẹ jẹ́ a má a ba lọ - yíò kángun síbì kan
(How can it be right for some children
To wear new clothes every day
While others go about in rags?
How can it be right for some children
To attend these expensive private schools
While others learn in the open, under trees?
Well, we shall see how this will end)
A ó d’ènìyàn l’ọ́la o
Àwa yíò d’ènìyàn l’ọ́la yé
A ó wọ ’ṣọ olówó, àwa yíò wọ bàtà oyè
A ó wọ ’ṣọ ọlọ́lá, àwa yíò wọ bàtà, yé
A ó d’ènìyàn l’ọ́la o...
(We too shall be human by tomorrow
Garbed in rich clothes and royal shoes
We shall be human tomorrow)
3. Ṣ’O WA PA?
Ẹ wá jíjó ọlọ́gbọ́n, ẹ wá jíjó aláyọ̀ yí o
Ijó yá, ijó olóyin
Ṣèbí ’jó la ní ẹ jó, èwo ni tìjà?
Mo ní s’ẹ wà pa, ọ̀rẹ́ mi s’ẹ wà pa?
Ṣé o le gb’ápá, ṣé o le gb’ẹ́sẹ̀ yí o
Nj’ó le mi ’rí, ṣé o le mì bí ẹni jù ìrùkẹ̀rẹ̀
Ṣé o le d’òkòtó oníyẹ̀rì?
(Welcome to the club of the wise
Time to dance, the happy dance
No trouble-makers permitted here
Hope you are in top form
Ready to shake and move your body?)
People love to hear us sing
We say the things that really matter
You know they love to watch us play
Say it makes them come alive
It gives them power, gives inspiration
Something to hold on to
Gives them the strength they need for tomorrow
Everybody’s welcome here, oh yeah
We’ve got to get up, got to move on, cos this is the time
Get up, move on, it’s your time, it’s okay
Àwọn eléré l’ó nṣ’eré yẹn o
Ẹ ò r’àwọn boys b’ọ́n ṣe njo o
Àbí e ò r’àwọn girls b’ọ́n ṣe nko mọ́ ‘lẹ̀…
Ọ̀rẹ́ mi má mà gbẹ́yìn o!
Ẹ ò r’ọmọdé yẹn b’ó ṣe njó - ijó, ijó
Ṣèbí ijó la wá jó kò mà s’íjà níbí…
(The band is super-tight tonight
See the boys and girls going at it
Don’t be left out my friend
Watch that young ‘un doing it
We are here to dance, not for trouble)
4. OMINIRA
Màmá a dé o, ẹ wá là'rọ̀ yí yé wa o
Ẹ̀yin ìyá a dé o, ẹ wá là'rọ̀ yí yé wa o
Wọ́n l'ọgbọ́n ọlọ́gbọ́n o ni ìí jẹ́ á p'àgbà ní wèrè
Ṣebí ọgbọ́n ọlọ́gbọ́n o ni ìí jẹ́ á p'àgbà ní wèrè o
Wọ́n l’ẹni t’ó bá bèrè ọ̀nà ìyẹn kìí ṣì ’nà
Ẹni t’ó bá bèrè ọ̀nà wọn kìí sọnù láíláí
Màmá a dé o, ẹ wá là'rọ̀ yí yé wa o
Ẹ̀yin ìyá a dé o, ẹ wá là'rọ̀ yí yé wa o
“Ọ̀rọ̀ tí ẹ béèrè, ó lọ̀tún ó lòsì
Ọ̀rọ̀ tí ẹ béèrè, ó níwá ó lẹ́yìn o:
Bí ẹ bá s’òtítọ́ o, ayé yin á dùn, yíò l’áyọ̀
Bí ẹ bá s’òdodo o, ìlú yín á tòrò, yíò ládùn o
Ẹ má f’olè j’ọba, ayé yin á dùn, yíò l’áyọ̀
Ẹ má f’òpùrọ́ j’oyè, ìlú yín á tòrò, yíò ládùn o”
(We have come to you mothers
Please unravel this riddle, show us the way
The wisdom of the elders can never be discounted
And he who asks for directions never gets lost
“That which you seek has pros and cons:
If you embrace truth,
You will find peace and progress
If you choose the right people to lead,
Your society will experience joy and plenty”)
I know what we've been through
It is time to seek a better way
Greedy people in these high places
Hungry leaders stealing from the poor
My people too dey suffer o in silence
They will never talk until it's too late for them
Òmìnira wa nbọ̀ o, òmìnira...
Jẹgúdújẹrá ò r’ílé gbé, alápapín ò r’ọ́nà gbà
Apọmọlẹ́kún ò rí mú mí o
Òmìnira wa nbọ̀ o, òmìnira...
(Our liberty is imminent
The destroyers will be turned out
The usurpers will be barred
And the bullies will find no space
Our liberty is imminent)
5. E KỌ’MỌ L’EDE
You and I, we are wrong
If we think everything is right
There’s a fire burning on the roof,
Our future is dying as we sleep
We must awake from the lies
We’ve been told about ourselves
There’s no reason to be ashamed
Of who we are and where we’re from
Ẹ jọ̀wọ́ o, ẹ k’ọ́mọ l’édè ilẹ̀ wa o
Ẹ jọ̀wọ́ o, ẹ k’ọ́mọ l’ásà ilẹ̀ wa o
Ẹ jọ̀wọ́, ẹ k’ọ́mọ n’ítàn ilẹ̀ wa o
Ẹ jọ̀wọ́ o, ẹ fún wọn l’áṣọ ilẹ̀ wa wọ̀
(Please teach the children our local languages
Please teach them of our culture
Please tell them our stories
Please give them traditional dresses to wear)
You’re so proud today
To hear them speak in a foreign tongue
It’s not fair to keep them away
From who they are and live a lie
All these children, they are strangers
To their own roots and culture
We must try to right the wrongs
And show them the beauty in who they are
Ó d’ení - ení, èjì, ẹ̀ta, ẹ̀rin, àrún, ẹ̀fà…
(Now, let’s count - one, two three, four, five, six...)
6. MA FO’YA
Here standing we don’t know why
Understanding is rare
Good men living on borrowed time
Sanity’s gone to the dogs
The pains of the people, like the rain
Falling in streams of tears
A lonely child looks to the sky
The stars are silent tonight
Child!
There’ll be a better way
The sun will shine in your eyes
Ọmọ ò, ọmọ ò
Ọmọ ò, má bẹ̀rù, ọmọ ò, má fò’yà o
(Fear not, child)
Time, like an ever-flowing stream
Bears all her sons away
They fade like a dream fades at break of dawn
And we are still the same, we don’t change
Times, they may come, they may go
They bring changes in what we see and what we know
But the hearts of men are set in greedy ways
We don’t change
Everything is still the same
It’s just the way we are
Somebody’s loss is another’s gain
History recalls, we never learn
And the poor and the young always take the blame
Child...
I wish I had the answers
I’ll take your pains away
I wish I was the angel of peace
Change the world in a breath
7. COME, WARRIOR
Ẹ bẹ jagunjagun k’ó wá’lé
Ẹ̀ bá bẹ jagunjagun k’ó wá’lé ò e
Ìfẹ́ ni yíò bo’rí ìkórira o
Òtítọ́ ni yíò bo’rí irọ́
Ìtàsán òrùn yíò bo’rí òkùnkùn biribiri
Ẹ bẹ jagunjagun k’ó wá’lé ò e
(Please ask the warrior to return home
For only love can overcome hate
Truth will rise above falsehood
The sun’s rays will disperse the deepest darkness
Please ask the warrior to return)
Come, warrior come
Come to the place of wisdom
Lay your burden down, rest your soul
The sun will shine tomorrow
Whether you like or not
Love is the only way we’ll be free
Come, warrior come
Hey! Listen to the music
Rest a little while, heal your wounds
Time will pass you see
All secrets revealed
Love is the only way we’ll be free
Brothers, sisters, people, love is the answer
8. AWỌN AGBA
Ìjà l’ó dé t’órin d’òwe - ẹni’re
Ọ̀rẹ́ ọjọ́ àná t’ó wá d’ọ̀tá ìlú o - ẹ rọra ṣe
Ẹ̀bẹ̀ gbogbo wa s’Eĺédùmarè - Ọba ògo
Ká má ṣe tẹ́ l’ójú ọ̀rẹ́ àt’ẹbí - k’á má ṣìṣe o
K’á má ṣìṣe o ẹ ṣ’àdúrà
(Conflict arose, made words impossible
Turned a common song into assumed abuse
Our plea to you Eledumare,
May we not lose face in front of family and friends
May we not step into trouble)
Àwọn mà la gb’ádé fún, àwọn àgbà
K’ágbà má ṣe wọ́n l’áàrin àwa o
Àwọn mà lá bá l’áyé o, àwọn àgbà
Ìbà f’éwú, f’orí ba’lẹ̀ f’ọ́lọ́gbọ́n
B’ọ́mọdé l’áṣọ kò l’àkísà bí àgbà
Ó yẹ ká b’ọ̀wọ̀ f’áwọn aṣaájú wa o
Àwọn mà la gb’ádé fún o, àwọn àgbà
Ìbà f’éwú, f’orí ba’lẹ̀ f’ọ́lọ́gbọ́n
Ìbà fún bàbá, ìbà fún màmá o
Gbogbo ẹbí, gbogbo ará ilé o
Ará àdúgbò, gbogbo ará abúlé o
Gbogbo ìlú ni wọ́n nso’wọ́ pò t’ọ́mọ
Àwọn mà la bá l’áyé, àwọn àgbà
K’ágbà má ṣe wọ́n ní ìlú àwa o
Àwọn mà la gb’ádé fún o, àwọn àgbà
Ìbà f’éwú, f’orí ba’lẹ̀ f’ọ́lọ́gbọ́n
Àní ’jà l’ó dé t’órin d’òwe - ẹni’re
Ọ̀rẹ́ ọjọ́ àná t’ó wá d’ọ̀tá ìlú o - ẹ rọra ṣe
Ẹ̀bẹ̀ gbogbo wa s’Eĺédùmarè - Ọba ògo
Ká má ṣe tẹ́ l’ójú ọ̀rẹ́ àt’ẹbí - k’á má ṣìṣe o
K’á má ṣìṣe o ẹ ṣ’àdúrà
(We give the crown to the elders
May their kind never be scarce in our community
We met them here on earth, the elders
We pay homage to the grey hairs of wisdom
No matter the quantity of clothes a child has to flaunt
He cannot possess as many rags as an elder
We must always respect our forebears
Homage to our fathers and mothers,
Neighbours and relatives distant and near
It takes a whole community to raise a child
Conflict arose, made words impossible
Turned a common song into assumed abuse
Our plea to you Eledumare,
May not lose face in front of family and friends
May we not step into trouble)
These people drifting with no destination
Must find a purpose for life
I’ve just had a vision of life and abundance
Places you’ve never been
I stand for love, I won’t be bought
I’ve come to fulfill your dreams
I stand for love, it won’t be long
I’ve come to fulfill your dreams
These voices drifting from high, high places
A new day is coming soon
Ẹ gbé wa ẹ̀yin àgbà, ẹ má mà jẹ́ a tẹ́ o
A nwo’jú rẹ Èdùmàrè, ẹ má mà jẹ́ a tẹ́ o
(Raise us up, oh elders
That we may not be put to shame
We look to you Edumare
May we not be put to shame)
9. MATTERS ARISING
E a mà dé o, a mà dé o,
A wá nk’ìlọ̀ fún’ra wa ni o
E a mà dé o, a mà dé o,
Ẹ jẹ́ á s’òtítọ́ fún’ra wa o
Ìwọ gb’ẹ́sìn s’órí, gbogbo ará ìlú ti wá d’ẹlẹ́ṣẹ̀ lójú ẹ
Ẹ̀yin gb’ẹ́sìn s’órí, ẹ wá npà’nìyàn l’órúkọ Ọlọ́run l’ókè
Ṣé ìwọ ti gbàgbé
P’Ọ́lọ́run ọba, Ọlọ́run ìfẹ́ ni kìí kórira
Ṣé ẹ̀yin ti gbàgbé p’Élédùmarè alágbára
Ó lè gbè’jà ara rẹ̀
Ìwọ dé’pò ọlà, o wá nsì’wà wù, o ti gbàgbé orísun
Òń j’ayé olówó, ọmọdé ìlú nwọ’nú àkìtàn k’ébi má pa wọ́n o
Kò le s’álààfíà nínú ìlú b’ínú ará ìlú ò bá dùn
Kò le s’álààfíà f’ólówó fún tálákà
Bá ò bá s’òtítọ́ ní ‘jọba o
Ọ̀rẹ́ òtítọ́ ṣ’ọ̀wọ́n o
Ìfẹ́ òtítọ́ ṣ’ọ̀wọ́n yé
Oò lè gb’ára l’ẹ́nìkankan o
Wọ́n á bá ẹ jẹ o, wọ́n á bá ẹ mu o
Bí o bá y’ẹ́yìn padà, wọ́n á s’ọ̀rọ̀ ẹ ní burúkú
Wọ́n á bá ẹ l’ògbà, wọ́n á bá ẹ jẹ̀’gbádùn
B’ígbà bá yí pẹ́rẹ́ gbogbo wọn á sá lọ o
Ìlara ti pọ̀jù, ìkórira ti pọ̀jù
Kò lè sí ‘́lọsiwájú nínú àbòsì
Ìkùnsínú ti pọ̀jù àt’ìmọtẹninìkan
Kò lè sí ‘́lọsiwájú nínú ìwà ìbàjẹ́ yìí o
(Here we come again,
Here we come with some bitter truth
You, the zealot labelling everyone a sinner
Religious Fanatic, killing people in the name of God
Have you forgetten that his essence is love?
Have you all forgotten that the Almighty Creator
Is powerful enough to fight his own battles?
And you, wealthy and powerful today
You have forgotten your humble beginnings
And responsibility to the society
You give yourself up to debauchery
While the children seek sustenance in garbage.
There can be no peace in the city,
If its inhabitants are not happy
There will be no peace for the rich or the poor
If there is no accountability in governance
True friends are hard to find here
Honest love, so scarce
There is none you can trust -
They will eat and drink with you
And then stab you in the back
They will be there to share the good times
But when things change, they all disappear
There is so much bitter envy and hatred
So much skulduggery and selfishness
How can there can be progress in this chaos?)
10. OKE BỌLA
Lọ́dọ̀ Màmá Àgbà, wá kálọ o - Òkè Bọ́là wá kálọ ò e
N’ílé Awólọ́wọ̀ wá kálọ o, Sounds of Joy wá kálọ o
Waateco wá kálọ o, Ìyá gbági wá kálọ o
Màmá Onídodo e wá kálọ, Bàbá Ghana wá kálọ o
Àṣẹ́gunṣẹ́tẹ̀, wá kálọ o, Ọ̀sándè-sáàngùn, wá kálọ o
Ṣèyí ṣẹ̀rẹ̀rẹ̀, wá kálọ o
Lọ́dọ̀ Màmá Àgbà, wá kálọ o - Òkè Bọ́là wá kálọ ò e
(Come along to Mama Agba’s, to Oke Bola
To Awolowo’s house, Sounds of Joy
To Waateco, let’s go, to Iya Gbagi’s,
Come along to Mama Onidodo’s place,
To Baba Ghana’s…)
Tell me what happened to the good days
When we had everything going right?
Brothers, what happened to the old songs
We used to sing in the bright moonlight?
We want to be happy, we all should be free
Children have a right to share of this culture
Bring back the good days…
Kò s’ólóko l’óko - ẹyẹ ẹ bẹ̀rẹ̀ máa j’ọkà, ẹyẹ
(The farmer is gone
Alight birds, feast on the millet to your heart’s content)
11. EACH TIME YOU TURN
Olólùfẹ́, olólùfẹ́, olólùfẹ́, ọkàn mi wà lọ́dọ̀ rẹ
Olólùfẹ́ mi o, olólùfẹ́, olólùfẹ́ ọkàn mi wà l’ọ́nà
(Darling, my thoughts are with you
My love, I long for you)
You wake up in the middle of the night
Find a reason to start a quarrel
You cry up all the tears in your eyes
And then you tell me you’re going away for the last time
Each time you turn and wave your hands and say goodbye
It’s like a load is lifted off my head
Now you are gone I should be happy, girl
But I don’t know why
Why am I feeling so lonely now?
Ó tún ti nlọ nìyẹn, ó ti gb’ápamọ́wọ́ rẹ̀
Ó ti wé gèlè s’órí, ẹ mà bá mi bẹ̀bẹ̀
Ará ilé, èrò òde ẹ mà bá mi bẹ̀bẹ̀
Ó tún ti nlọ nìyẹn o à
(There she goes again
She’s grabbed her bag and put on her head gear
Neighbours, strangers, help me plead with her
There she goes again)
You are restless, you don’t belong to anyone
One day you are here, the next you are gone away
I’m tired of the selfish games you play
But I’d be lying if I should deny you are still the one
Ó tún ti nlọ nìyẹn, ó ti gb’ápamọ́wọ́ rẹ̀
Ó ti kó bàtà s’ẹ́sẹ̀
Ẹ mà bá mi bẹ̀bẹ̀
Ará ilé, èrò òde ẹ mà bá mi bẹ̀bẹ̀
Ó tún ti nlọ nìyẹn o à
(There she goes again
She’s grabbed her bag and put on her shoes
Neighbours, strangers, help me plead with her
There she goes again)
My love, we didn’t plan it this way
Honey, we said we’d go all the way
My love, I need you more everyday
Honey, down on my knees begging please
12. ORUKO RERE
Through the wild jungle we’re coming back home
Through the fire and through the sea
I know mother my promises to you
To make you a queen before you die
The years are gone and you’re losing hope
But I will never give it up for you, for me, for life
Never fear the shadows of night
Be on guard every hour of the day
Put a smile on the faces of the fallen
Loving and living and strong
I told my father very long time ago
I’ve got to be a man of my own
Change the world with a rhythm and a melody
Many horrors and pain abound, it’s getting harder everyday
But I will never give it up for you, for me, for life
Never share the path of the wicked
Never never be pawn for greed
Follow the words of the great ancestors
Loving and living and strong
Yèyé, ẹ má mà b’ínú sí wa o
Kò s’ówó l’ òní, ọ̀la mbọ̀ wá da
Ṣèb’órúkọ rere ó sàn ju’lé ọrọ̀
Ọmọ ọkọ nṣe ìwọ̀n tó lè ṣe o
Bàbá, ẹ má mà b’ínú sí wa o…
(Mother, Father, Family, Friends
Please do not be cross with us
Today’s lack will give birth to tomorrow’s plenty
A good name, they say, is worthier than material wealth
We are doing the very best we can)
Through the wild jungle we’re coming back home
Through the fire and through the sea
Through the darkness and pain of lost hopes
Our weapon is a message of hope
The more they push us, the stronger we are
And we will never give it up
For you, for us, for life
13. LEKELEKE
Lékeléke nfò l’ókè, ẹyẹ funfun ni
Lékeléke nfò l’ókè, ẹyẹ funfun ni
Aṣọ àlà ni mo wọ̀ elépo yà fún mi
Lékeléke nbọ̀ l’ọ́nà ẹyẹ funfun ni.
Fò, máa fò, máa fò, ẹyẹ ọlọ́lá
Bọ̀, máa bọ̀, máa bọ̀, ẹyẹ oníre
(Lekeleke, white bird flying high
I’m in my pure white garment,
Steer clear of me palm-oil bearer
Here comes Lekeleke, a white bird.
Fly, fly high, you affluent bird
Come, descend, bird of good fortune)
Sometimes I wish I could fly
Like a bird in the sky - away, away
With the love and the strength of the fathers
In the blessing of the spirits of the sky
In the warmth of the bosom of the mothers
With the knowledge and the wisdom that I need
To set my people free, set my people free
Ó nbọ̀ l’ọ́nà, ẹyẹ ọba ni kò ṣe tọ́ o
Ó nb’ónílé wí, ó nkìlọ̀ f’álejò, ó ní ẹ máa sọ́’ra o
Ẹ má fì’yà j’opó, àt’ọmọ òkú ọ̀run
Ó ní ẹ f’ẹ̀sọ̀ s’ayé, ẹ má tẹ tálákà mọ́’lẹ̀ mọ́ o
Ó nbọ̀ l’ọ́nà, ẹyẹ ọba ni…
(Here he comes, the king’s bird, don’t upset him
He speaks to both the natives and foreigners
Says we must watch out, tread carefully
Be good to the widows and the orphans
Stop trampling on the poor
Here he comes, the king’s bird, don’t upset him)
Àwọn ọmọdé ìlú, wọ́n wá kó’ra wọn jọ,
Wọ́n fẹ́ sọ̀ ’kò p’ẹyẹ,
Ẹyẹ kọ̀, ẹyẹ ò kú, nṣe ló nfò, nṣe ló nbẹ́ lát’igi s’ígi
Àwọn àgbàgbà ìlú, wọ́n wá kó’ra wọn jọ
Wọ́n fẹ́ l’ẹ́yẹ l’óko
Wọ́n k’ádà-á jáde, wọ́n káàké-é jáde, wọ́n ngé gi oko
Ó di kà, ó di kò-ó
Ẹyẹ kọ̀, ẹyẹ ò kú, nṣe ló nfò, nṣe ló nbẹ́ lát’igi s’ígi
L’áìpẹ́ l’áìjìnà, wọ́n gé gbogbo igi tán, ó wá ku’gi kan l’óko
Igi ìrókò, igi tí gbogbo ayé nfẹ́, èyí tí gbogbo ayé nbọ
Ó di kà, ó di kò-ó, kò mà ku ‘gi kan l’óko o!
Kò wá pẹ́ l’ẹyẹ fò lọ o - pagidarì igi dá
Pagidarì igi dá, ẹyẹ fò lọ o
(All the children gather, to stone the bird to death
To no avail, he just bounds from tree to tree
All the adults arise with matchetes and axes
To rid their town of this pest
They cut down the trees, one after the other
The bird merely glides to the next available spot
Now they’ve felled every tree except the mighty iroko
The one tree beloved and revered by all
But even that soon goes down.
Now, there is no tree left in the forest!
And then the bird flies off far away
Leaving the townsfolk to bemoan
Their waywardness, loss and ruin)
14. O YA O!
Ó yá o!
Bàbá, màmá, ẹ má mà ṣe sùn mọ́ o
Ọ̀rẹ́, ará, ewu mbẹ lóde o
Bàbá o, màmá o, ẹ má mà ṣe sùn lọ o
Ọ̀rẹ́, ará, jàmbá nkan’lẹ̀kùn
Ẹ má mà gb’olè láàyè, ẹ má mà gba jàgùdà
Ẹ má mà gb’oníjìbìtì, ẹ má mà gba kọ̀ndẹ̀
(It’s time!
Fathers and mothers arise from your slumber
Friends, kinsmen, trouble is brewing
Fathers and mothers arise from your slumber
Friends, kinsmen, danger is at the door
Don’t let in thieves and robbers
Don’t give in to swindlers and criminals)
Ọ̀la ṣì máa dára o - á dára, á dára
Ayọ̀ mbọ̀ l’ọ́la o - á dára, á dára
(Tomorrow looks promising - full of goodness
Joy comes in the morning - all will be well)
So when you think you’ve got problems, pain in your heart
There is a place you can go to and come out anew
There is a place called history
It’s there in the books
Darkness will give way to light
Kí’jó tó d’ijó àná ọ̀rọ̀ táa sọ ẹ má gbàgbé o
Ẹ bá mi kálọ o, ọ̀rẹ́ ẹ má gbàgbé o
(Before this party becomes yesterday’s news,
Do not forget what we discussed
Come with me, friends, do not forget)
Ayé d’ojú rú, kò s’ówó l’ápò
Ayé d’ojú rú, kò s’áyọ̀ n’ílé o
Ayé d’ojú rú, kò s’ówó l’ápò
Ebi np’ọmọdé o
(Our society in turbulence, pockets are empty
No joy in our homes and the children starve)
Bàbá, màmá, ẹ má mà ṣe sùn mọ́ o…
(Fathers and mothers arise from your slumber…)