FẸ̀RẸ̀

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. © & ℗ 2006 EniObanke


 

1. MÙKÚ-Ì-MÙKÚ 
It’s so nice to see people come together 
To share love and happiness in a place of harmony 
And the children - singing, dancing, chanting: 

Ọ̀rẹ́ ẹ wá, ẹ jẹ́ k’á lọ, ọ̀rẹ́ ẹ wá 
Ọ̀rẹ́ ẹ bá mi kálọ l’ágbo Beautiful Nubia 
Ṣèb’órin là nkọ níbẹ̀, ṣèb’íjó là njó níbẹ̀ o 
Ará ẹ bá mi kálọ l’ágbo Roots Renaissance 
Seb’éré là nṣe níbẹ̀ 
Kò sí wàhálà ní’bí rárá 
Ní mùkú ì mùkú - ní mùkúlúmùkẹ 
Ní wẹ̀mù, ní wẹ̀mù 

(Come friends, let’s go to Beautiful Nubia’s concert 

Where we sing and dance 

Come, let’s go to The Roots Renaissance’s show 

There we have lots of fun; no trouble at all) 

Ọmọdé nbẹ níbẹ̀, àwọn àgbàgbà ò gb’ẹ́yìn níbẹ̀ 
Ọmọbìnrin pọ̀ jaburata, àwọn ọmọkùnrin ò gbẹ́’yìn rárá 
Alákọ̀wé nbẹ níbẹ̀, àwọn oníṣẹ́-ọwọ́ nbẹ níbẹ̀ 
Àwọn àgbẹ̀ ò gbẹ́’yìn níbẹ̀, ọmọ’lé-ìwé pọ̀ jaburata o 
Ọlọ́mọge nbẹ níbẹ̀, àwọn ìyàwó-ilé wà níbẹ̀ 
Aláboyún pọ̀ níbẹ̀, màmá àgbà ró ìró òfì wọ́n njó 

Ọ̀rẹ́ ẹ wá, ẹ jẹ́ k’á lọ… 
(Everyone is there - 

Children, adults, lots of young ladies and gentlemen, 

Students, office workers, tradesmen, farmers, 

Pregnant women, married couples, 

And the sprightly grandmother 

Gleefully dancing in her ofi wrapper 

Come friends, let’s go there...) 

B’ẹ́bọ bá di gbígbà, ijó l’ó yẹ wá 
Àdúrà wa gbà, ẹ̀rín l’ó yẹ wá 
B’ẹ́bọ bá di gbígbà, ìlú yìí á tòrò 
B’ẹ́bọ bá di gbígbà, ayé wa á tòrò mini 
(If our votive offering has been accepted, 

We should dance and celebrate 

If our prayers are answered, we should laugh 

If our offering has been accepted, 

This society will find peace 

If our prayers are answered, 

Our communities will be calm) 

2. HIGHER STEPS (Ó MBỌ̀ WÁ D’Ẹ̀RỌ̀) 
It’s so nice, see you on your feet now 
We’ve got to move on up 
Never give in to the pressures around us 
The winner is the one who doesn’t give up (Don’t worry) 
Remember, a man’s his own best friend 
And nobody can put you down unless you give in, sister 
Life is a fun game if we play it right (Keep moving) 

Ọ̀rẹ́ ò bá má mà mi’kàn rárá o 
Kò s’óhun t’ó mbọ̀ l’ókè t’ílẹ̀ ò gbà o 
Ṣeb’áyé l’a bá, ayé la ó fi sílẹ̀ sí 
Gbàgbọ́ p’óhun t’ó le mbọ̀ wá d’ẹ̀rọ̀ 

(Have no worries, friend 

There is no challenge that we can’t deal with 

Everything eventually passes; 

Calm will come after the storm) 

Ó mbọ̀ wá d’ẹ̀rọ̀ ọ̀rẹ́ mi o - ohun tó le, mbọ̀ wá d’ẹ̀rọ̀ 
Ó mbọ̀ wá d’ẹ̀rọ̀ n’ílé o 
Ó mbọ̀ wá d’ẹ̀rọ̀ l’óko o 
Ó mbọ̀ wá d’ẹ̀rọ̀ f’ọ́mọdé o, f’ágbàlagbà 
Ó mbọ̀ wá d’ẹ̀rọ̀ fún gbogbo wa o 

(Calm is coming my dear friend 

Calm at home, calm beyond 

For both old and young, for everyone) 

I’m taking higher steps 
I’m going higher places 
You can come along with me 
We’ll do it together if you want 

Ọ̀rẹ́ ò bá má mà mi’kàn rárá o 
Kò s’óhun t’ó mbọ̀ l’ókè t’ílẹ̀ ò gbà o 
Ṣeb’áyé l’a bá, ayé la ó fi sílẹ̀ sí 
Gbàgbọ́ p’óhun t’ó le mbọ̀ wá d’ẹ̀rọ̀ 

Ará mi ẹ bá má mà mi’kàn rárá o 
Kò sí nkan tuntun l’ábẹ́ ọ̀run yé o 
Ayé la b’óhun gbogbo, ayé la ó fi sílẹ̀ sí 
Gbàgbọ́ p’óhun t’ó le mbọ̀ wá d’ẹ̀rọ̀ 

(Have no worries, friend 

There is no challenge that we can’t deal with 

Everything eventually passes; 

Calm will come after the storm. 

Friends harbour no doubts 

There is nothing new under the sky 

Everything eventually passes 

Know that calm comes after the turbulence) 

3. ẸLẸKỌ’DERE 
Ẹlẹ́kọ’dèrè ṣeb’o ló j’èrè 
Ò nró’ṣọ dúdú, o sì nró’ṣọ pupa 
Ò nró’ṣọ dúdú, o sì nró’ṣọ funfun 
O f’àìmú gbàjá o sì tún lékenkà o 
Ẹlẹ́kọ’dèrè ṣeb’o ló j’èrè 

(Corn-pap seller of Idere, 

I heard you complain of poor returns 

Yet you seem to possess a colourful wardrobe 

And assume a regal, unpertubed posture 

Corn-pap seller of Idere, 

I thought you said you weren’t making profits) 

Àsìkò Elédùmarè ló dára, 
Ká f’oun gbogbo s’Ọ́ba mímọ́ lọ́wọ́ 
Kì í ṣe ti ka jòkó jẹ̀bẹ̀tẹ̀ 
Kì í ṣe ti ka jòkó rẹ̀gẹ̀dì 
Iṣẹ́ mbẹ púpọ̀ láti ṣe 
Kì í ṣe ti ka jòkó bẹ̀bẹ̀rẹ̀ 
Kì í ṣe ti ka jòkó rọ̀bọ̀tọ̀ 
Ìrìn mbẹ púpọ̀ láti rìn 

(Yes, Eledumare’s time is the best 

But that’s not saying one must not make an effort 

There is a lot of work to do) 

Àsìkò ti tó ará mi o, àsìkò ti tó 
Àsìkò ti tó fún wa o, ará mi, àsìkò ti tó fún wa o 
Ká bọ́ l’óko ẹrú, ká bọ́’wù ìyà sọnù 
B’íṣẹ́ ò bá pẹ́’ni ṣèb’ẹ́nìkan kì í pẹ́’ṣẹ́ 

(It’s time my people, 

To free ourselves from the shackles of slavery 

To dispose of these ugly rags 

When duty calls, the dutiful get going) 

4. OHUN OJU NRI 
Ohun ojú nrí ẹnu ò mal ní lè sọ o 
Ohun ojú rí ọmọ ò mà ní lè sọ bó dé’lé o 

(What the eyes have seen, the mouth cannot utter 

What he has seen, the child can’t tell when gets home) 

They say we’re free and colonisation is a thing of the past 
But look around you people 
Time is going by and we still can’t get it right 
They say our land is the home of poverty and disease 
And we’re treated like second-class citizens of the world 
Our leaders run around begging for help 
When the solutions are right here at home with us 
The future of this land is in the hands 
Of every man and woman, young and old 
Everyone of us has a share in the blame 

For the failure of society 
See, we‘re still slaves economically, 
We‘re still slaves politically, 
We‘re still slaves ideologically 
But I’ve got a song to sing- 
Jẹ́ á gbé’ra kúrò o nínú ọ̀gbun ayé, 
Ọ̀rẹ́ ẹ ṣọ́’ra, ẹ dákun o, a mà njìn sí kòtò 
Jẹ́ á gbé’ra kúrò o nínú ọ̀gbun ayé 
À ní ẹ mú’ra, ẹ ṣọ́’ra o, a mà njìn sí kòtò lọ o 

(Let’s lift ourselves out of this endless mire 

Beware friends, we are sinking deeper) 

We’re trying to fix things from the top to the ground 
But the way to solve it is from the ground upwards 
Lasting change begins at the individual level 
Everyone dips in the pot but no one replenishes 
Have you forgotten the rules? 
Without love there can be no truth, justice and peace 
We must turn our backs on selfishness and greed 
Go back to our culture of community- 

All for one and one for all 
Not just every man to his own 
We must go back to the land 
A nation that cannot feed itself 
Will always remain subservient to others 
We’re still slaves to material wealth, 
We‘re still slaves to religion, 
We‘re still slaves to foreign ideals 
But I’ve got a song to sing… 

This land will be a great place one day 
A place where dreams come true 
Our hope is in the children 
Teach them to love their fellow man 
And never to judge anyone 

By the colour of their skin, religion or language 
Teach them to be proud of our culture 
And the values of hardwork and perseverance, 

Honest and humility 
Treat every child like your own 
For every child, no matter the circumstances of his birth, 
Is a beacon to this glorious future 
Teach them to be strong in love 
And never look down on themselves 
Teach them to be strong 
And learn to hold their heads up wherever they may go 
Teach the children to sing this song of pride 
And let them sing it loud and clear: 
I’m not ashamed to be who I am 
I’m not ashamed - I’m a proud African 
I’m not afraid - I’m a child of The Most High 
I’m not ashamed and I’ve got a song to sing 

5. IFẸ OLOYIN (GOTTA TELL YOU) 
Flying up in the air, slicing through the clouds 
Any moment from now could be my last 
Then my mind goes back to all the hurt I am leaving 
Oh, the pain in your heart, and I know 
I’m coming back home to give you all my love 
To give you all you want 
I’m coming back home- 
You will never be lonely 
I will always be there for you 

Olólùfẹ́ nt’ó ti nretí yẹn ló mbọ̀ l’ọ́nà yí 
Baby mo rí ‘re mú bọ̀ n’írìnàjò 
Ìfẹ́ olóyin tí kò l’ábàwọ́n (l’àkàwé) 
Jọ̀wọ́ f’oríjìmí fà mí mọ́’ra 

(Here, darling, is what you’ve been waiting for 

I bring treasures from my travels 

A sweet, unblemished love 

Please forgive and take me back) 

It’s such a lonely world 
Can’t find no one to trust 
You’re the only one who understands 
Wipe away your tears, take me in your arms 
This is where I belong and I’m here to stay 

6. ONILE AYỌ 
Lèsí ma gb’áyé dúró 
Ayé d’oríkodò, lèsí ma gb’áyé dúró 
A mí gbe, ó mí jábọ́ 
À nle ó mbọ̀ l’ẹ́hìn, a ngbe ó mí jábọ́ 

(Who will hold the world up? 

The world is upside down, who will set it right? 

We lift it but it falls down 

We chase after it, but it turns up behind us) 

Ohun burúkú t’o gbé ṣe ní ’kọ̀kọ̀ 
O ṣe b’ójú ẹnìkan ò lè rí ẹ o 
Ìwà ìbàjẹ́ t’ẹ wù ní kọ̀rọ̀, o ṣe b’ọ́wọ́ ẹ̀dá kan ò le ká ẹ o 
A ó tu wò, a ó gbe yẹ̀wò, a ó ṣi ò s’ójú ayé 
A ó gbe yẹ̀wò, a ó tu wò, a ó yiri ẹ̀ l’ójú ayé 
Ẹ̀ bá jẹ́ a wù’wà t’ó dára, ọ̀rẹ́ mi ẹ wù’wà tó sunwọ̀n 
Ẹ wù’wà tó j’ọjú k’áyé yẹ wá 
(All the bad things you did in secret 

Thinking you had your tracks well covered 

Thinking no one could touch you 

Soon we shall search, examine and unravel all 

Everything will be laid bare to the world 

Do right and you will have a good life) 

Bàbá on’ílé ayọ̀ ní’jọ́ t’o bá npín’re bọ̀, má gbàgbé àwa 
Bàbá on’ílé ayọ̀ ní’jọ́ t’o bá npín’re bọ̀, má gbàgbé mi 
Ní’jọ́ t’o bá npín’re àláfíà - má gbàgbé àwa 

Ní’jọ́ t’o bá npín’re ẹ̀mí gígùn - má gbàgbé àwa 

Ní’jọ́ t’o bá npín’re àìkú baálẹ̀ ọrọ̀ - má gbàgbé àwa 

Ní’jọ́ t’o bá npín’re ìbùkún tí mbá ni kalẹ́ - má gbàgbé àwa 

Ní’jọ́ t’o bá npín’re ọmọ - má gbàgbé àwa 
(Lord of Happiness 

Please do not exclude us 

When you are sharing goodness and blessings) 

7. IKOKO AKUFO (LAMENTATION FOR A BROKEN POT) 
Ìkòkò àkúfọ́, ó d’èrò àkìtàn o 
Ìkòkò tó fọ́ o, ó ti dèrò àkìtàn o 
Mọ̀nọ̀mọ́nọ́ ya lu’gi, orọ́ wọ ‘nú ìlú o 
Ìtìjú bí aṣọ àkísà ló mà rí o 
Ó d’ọ̀rọ̀ àgbàgbà o, ó d’ẹrù f’ọlọ́gbọ́n 
Ó d’ọwọ́ àwọn àgbà o, ó d’ẹrù f’ọlọ́gbọ́n 
(A broken pot goes to the garbage dump 

Lighting strikes a tree, pain breaches city walls 

Oh shame, like a worthless rag; 

This is a matter for the elders, 

A riddle for the wise) 

Ìlú Oríta o, ìlú àláfíà 
Mo ní t’ẹ bá dé’bẹ̀, ẹ bá mi kí wọn o 
Gbogbo wa la ó f’ayọ̀ dé ‘lé 
Mo ní t’ẹ bá ri o, ẹ bá nk’Áwẹ̀ró yẹn o 
Ọmọge awẹ́lẹ́wà tó ndá ni l’ọ́rùn o 
Ilé owó ni o wọ̀ s’aya 
Ilé ọlá ni o wọ̀ s’aya o 

(Orita, tranquil city 

Give them my regards when you get there 
May we all arrive our destinations with joy 

And if you happen to see her, extend my greetings to Awero 

Dazzling beauty, beloved by all 

May you marry into plenty and prosperity) 

Ṣèb’ádé orí ọkọ ni wọ́n, obìnrin tó n’íwà t’ó l’ẹ́wà 
Ìwúrí òbí ni wọ́n ó ma jẹ́, mọbìnrin tó gb’ẹ̀kọ́ tó mu lò 
Orí rẹ dára, orí rẹ sunwọ̀n, o d’àdùfẹ́ olórí ọkọ 
Orí rẹ dára, orí rẹ sunwọ̀n, o d’àbẹ̀fẹ́ o… 

(A good wife is the crown on her man’s head 

And a virtuous maiden is the pride of her parents 

Your path is blessed, cynosure of all eyes) 

Ìkòkò tó fọ́ ìí ṣ’oun à mú sẹ’bẹ̀ 
Ìkòkò tó fọ́ ìí ṣ’oun à mú to’lé 
Ìkòkò tó fọ́ ìí ṣ’oun à mú r’odò 
Ìkòkò tó fọ́ ìí ṣ’oun à mú yangàn 
Ìbàdí àrán d’ẹni à mú ṣe yẹ̀yẹ́ o 
Bí ẹyẹ tí ò l’ápá 
Ìbàdí àrán d’ẹni à mú ṣe yẹ̀yẹ́ o 
(A broken pot is useless for cooking 

It’s of no use as an adornment for the house 

Or for fetching water from the brook 

It’s not a thing to be proud of. 

The elegant damsel becomes a subject of scorn 

Like an unfortunate bird with no wings) 

Ò bá má ì lọ o, Àwẹ̀ró, ò bá má ì lọ 
Dúró ṣe’un obìnrin nṣe 
Gb’áyé ṣe’un obìnrin nṣe 

Ò bá dúró fi ‘nú ṣ’oyún 

Ò bá gb’áyé f̀’ẹ̀yìn gb’ọ́mọ pọ̀n 

(Please don’t go yet, Awero 

Stay and fulfill your destiny 

Carry new life within you 

Bear children on your back) 

8. TABLES TURN 
The young man standing laughing 
But he knows where the shoe dey pain am so 
He no fit do anything today 
But one day the tables will turn 

The little children on the street 
Working hard so they can eat 
Dem no fit do anything today 
But one day the tables will turn 

My sister with the sexy eyes 
Selling her body so she can live 
She no fit do anything today 
But one day the tables will turn 

So my brothers don’t you see 
We must bring some sanity over here 
How can one person have so much 
While so many have none? 

The average man doesn’t ask for too much 
He only wants what you and I want - 
A safe place to lay his head at night 
Is that too much to ask? 

He wants his kids to go to good schools 
So they can become somebody 
He wants them to grow up healthy and strong 
Is that too much to ask? 

So when you build your mansions 
And drive around in your fancy cars 
Remember to think of the little man 
Cos one day the tables will turn 

People keep on struggling 
Meditate on the words of the wise 
A lie may stand for a thousand years 
But one day the truth will reign 

Mothers put away your worries 
Wipe away your flowing tears 
We no fit do anything today 
But one day the tables will turn 

Little children listen up 
We may be down but we’re not out 
We must not give up on our dreams 
One day your time will come# 

The poor man stands there laughing 
But he knows where the shoe dey pain am so 
Him no fit do anything today 
But one day the tables will turn 
 

9. DEAR AFRICA 

Ṣe b’à nd’árò ara wa ni o 
Ṣe b’à nd’árò ilẹ̀ wa ni o 
Ṣe b’à nd’árò Africa ni o 

(This is a lament for ourselves; 

An elegy for Africa) 

We had a dream to build a great nation 

We had a desire to rule the world 

We lost our way and we should have turned around 

But all we do is keep on going wrong 

How many more years of sorrow will come? 

How many more wars will we fight? 

Dear Africa I’m worried for you 

Come on and tell me, what (are) we going to do? 

 

Tell me where we going to go for love? 

Where we going to go for hope? 

Show me how we (are) going to live without justice 

How (are) we going to live together? 

 

We’ve got the children scattered all over the world 

They contribute to those economies 

Back in the land the forest has become a desert 

We shift the blame from one to the other 

How much more blood are we going to shed? 

How many more kids will go to war? 

Dear Africa I’m down on my knees 

Come on and tell me what (are) we going to do? 

 

The sky is bright and the music is high 

The spirits of our fathers returning home 

Dear Africa give me some hope 

Come on and tell me what (are) we going to do?

10. MAMA AGBA’S TWILIGHT TREAT 
Asín tòun tọ̀kẹ́rẹ́, àwọn n’á jọ njà o 
Ìjà rèé mo wá là 
Asín fi mí ní’mú jẹ, ẹ gbà mí lọ́wọ́ rẹ̀ o 
Àwo mi nbẹ l’ọ́jà o 

(The fight was between Shrew and Squirrel 

I only stepped in to make peace but Shrew bit off my nose 

Will someone please save me from her? 

My wares are still in the market) 

Olóòfófó yẹ’ra, a fẹ́ s’ọ̀rọ̀ awo 
Ẹ̀tù ò sí mọ́, ìbọn j’ìyà ó gbé 
Aláìsí bàbá ọmọ, ẹ má f’ìyà j’ọmọ 
B’ájànàkú ti gbórín tó kò lè dánìkan gbé’gbó 
Bí ò bá sí t’ẹyẹ ni adìẹ bàgẹ̀-bagẹ 
À ns’ọ̀rọ̀ lọ́wọ́ ìwọ nlù’lù kẹn-kẹn 
Bí ò bá sí ti ọba ni nbá fà’lù rẹ ya 
Ọmọ ènìyàn tó rí mi tí ò s’àríyá 
Bí ò bá jẹ́ ẹranko ni, a sì jẹ́ dìgbòlugi 
(Let the tattler depart, 

We have matters to discuss in confidence; 

In the absence of gunpowder, the rifle is impotent; 

When a father dies, you must not let his children suffer; 

As mighty as the elephant is, 

It cannot live in the forest by itself; 

Without other birds for reference, 

The domestic hen’s wings look ridiculous; 

Here we are discussing serious issues 

And you start your annoying drumming 

Were it not for our father, the king, 

I’d have that drum torn to pieces; 

Any human being who sees us and doesn’t rejoice, 

If not a beast, he must be deranged) 

Má fẹ̀ẹ́ fẹrẹ sí mi mọ́, fẹrẹ 
Aṣọ fẹrẹ kí mo ró 
Ẹ̀wù fẹrẹ kí mo wọ̀ 
Ọmọdé yìí ò gbọ́nràn dan? 
A ìí fẹ́ fẹrẹ lọ́gànjọ́ 
Má fẹ̀ẹ́ fẹrẹ sí mi mọ́ 

(Don’t blow that fluff at me anymore 

Am I clothed in fluff? 

Are my shoes made of fluff? 

Can’t you hear me, child? 

Nobody blows fluff at night 

Stop blowing it at me!)

11. WHAT A DAY! 

Oh, what a day I met you baby 

I was the man without a hope 

And all my dreams were going nowhere 

You pulled me up and here is where I am 

Oh, what a day! 

I’ve got the feeling, can’t you see 

I’ve got the fire in my soul 

I’ve got the rhythm, can’t you see 

I’ve got the passion and the thrill

 

Oh what a night I held you baby 

The stars were bright in the sky 

And in my heart there was an emptiness 

You filled it up and gave me all of you

 

Fire burning up in there 

People running up and down 

Got you baby and that’s okay 

It’s all I want, it’s all I need

 

Ẹ wá w’ọmọge b’ó ṣe njó… 

(Behold the dance of the beautiful maiden)

12. MIND OF YOUR OWN 
Mo fẹ́ sọ̀’tàn kan, ó yá! 
Mo fẹ́ pà’tàn kan, má a wí sẹ́! 
Ìtàn yìí d’orí ò d’orí 
Ó d’orí ẹbí ìyádìran o 
Bàbá j’ìyà t’ó fi gbó, màmá j’ìyà ó ti gbó 
Àwọn ọmọ j’ìyà wọ́n nsọkún o 
Wọ́n nkó yín lẹ́ru ẹ f’ọwọ́ lẹ́rán 
Wọ́n njà ẹ́ l’ólè o gb’ójú s’ókè 
Ọba Òkè ìí sọ̀kalẹ̀ ran ni l’ọ́wọ́ 
Ọwọ́ ara ẹni làáfi tún ‘wà ara ẹni ṣe o 
Ọwọ́ ara ni làáfi t’áyé ẹni ṣe o 
(I’d like to tell you a story - speak on! 

It’s about a deeply traumatised family 

The father died in wretchedness 

The mother expired in her anguish 

Now it’s the children’s turn and they wail 

You’re treated like a slave and you keep quiet 

They steal from you and you look to the sky 

God will not descend to help anyone 

You must sort out your problems yourself 

You are the one to fix your life) 

When you’re low you fold up, just like burning paper 
You think that someone will come and help you out 
But everyone has his own big or little problem 
So you’ve got to stand up and face your life. 
In this life it’s a race that everybody runs 
Some will run very fast, some will run it slow 
But everyone will get there and it’s such a bloody shame 
If you give up before the finish line. 
It’s time you had a mind of your own, 
It’s such a bloody shame! 

Every time you feel down you look to the West 
You think that big brother will come and help out 
But all they do is betray you and steal your wealth 
Nobody can liberate you except yourself 
It’s time you had a mind of your own 
It’s such a bloody shame!
 

13. ALL IT TAKES 

Woke up this morning, got nowhere to go 

Something in my heart tells me I shouldn’t cry 

Tears are for babies, worries are for fools 

Life will always bow down to the man with faith 

I have climbed the mountain and I have seen the valley 

Here is everything I’m always longing for 

So it doesn’t matter whatever they say 

I know where my destiny is taking me 

And all my brothers say- 

Give it all it takes, and I’ll give it all I know 

Give it all my heart and all my soul

I’ve just said my prayers with a breath of fire 

Bright is the day that will follow the night 

I have a little son and he thinks I am great 

In his trusting eyes I see a world of love 

Said I’ve been there before, the valley of death 

And the all-seeing father says it’s okay 

So it doesn’t matter whatever they say 

I know where my destiny is taking me 

And all my sisters say- 

Give it all it takes, and I’ll give it all I know 

Give it all my heart and all my soul
 

14. SPIRIT OF A NEW GENERATION 
Yí ó lọ o! 

Eléyìí ó lọ o! 

Bó gbé’ná ka’rí, bó w’ẹ̀wù ẹ̀jẹ̀ 

Ìtàkùn tó ní k’érin má g’òkè, tòhun t’erin ló nlọ o 

(It must go; this one must go! 

Whether it has fire on its head or wears a vest of blood; 

Whatever undergrowth stands in the elephant’s path 

Will end up accompanying her on the journey) 

We are marching on to love, marching on to glory 
We are marching on to love, marching on to freedom 
Cos we are who we are, what we are 

What is strong and what is noble, yeah 
All together now! 

The people are ready, they want a better day now 
They are tired of promises and politics 
They want some reality 
The people are moving to the future with faith now 
There’s got to be a better way, a new dawn of hope 

Who go fit stop the party when we want to dance 
Who go fit stop the music? No one, no one! 
Who go fit stop the children when they want to play 
Who go fit stop the people from moving? 

We’re coming out 
I tell you brothers, this is the new way 
And things won’t ever be the same again 
This is the spirit of a new generation - hardwork and honesty 
This is the way we will do our things now - all for one and one for all 
This is the spirit of a new generation - courage, transparency 
This is the way we will do our things now - all for one and one for all

15. BABA ELEDUMARE 

You can be what you want to be 

You can do all you want to do 

It’s all here - it’s in the head - it’s all here… 

I don’t know why you’re feeling so sad 

I’ve got the music and I have no worries 

In my heart, I desire tomorrow 

I feel the fire as it burns in my soul 

Jọ̀wọ́ Bàbá Elédùmarè, wá súre fún wa 

Jọ̀wọ́ Bàbá Elédùmarè, wá gbọ́ o (2ce) 

(Bless us, please, Almighty Creator) 

 

Forget the world, it’s so full of injustice, 

Forget the pain in your heart, it’s all over 

If your dreams are strong, they’ll take you there 

Come feel the fire as it burns in this your place 

Jọ̀wọ́ Bàbá Elédùmarè, wá súre fún wa 

Jọ̀wọ́ Bàbá Elédùmarè, wá gbọ́ o (2ce) 

 

I believe my heart can’t be wrong 

I’ve seen tomorrow and I know where I’m going 

If your dreams are strong, they’ll take you there 

Come feel the fire as it burns in this your place
 

16. LAMENTATION VERSION (Full Instrumental)

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