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. © & ℗ 2021 EniObanke
English translations of Yoruba lyrics are in italics under each verse.

1. IWURE 

Sebi gbogbo eda lo nf’alafia 

Gbogbo eda lo nfe’losiwaju 

Ani gbogbo eda lo nfe’dunnu o 

Ise owo won ni o je 

Sebi gbogbo eda lo nfe’dera o 

Gbogbo eda lo nfe ilera 

Ani gbogbo eda lo nfe’tunu o 

Ise owo won ni o je 

(Every human being desires good health 

Everyone desires progress 

Everyone desires happiness 

But the works of their hands won’t allow it 

Everyone desires well-being 

Everyone desires sound health 

Everyone desires comfort 

But the works of their hands won’t allow it) 

Ojo gbogbo lo dara f’onisuru 

Igba gbogbo lo l’ayo fun asooto 

Oun gbogbo lo derun f’afenifere 

Osi o ni ba o n’ile yi o 

Ofo o ni se o, ma wi pe, “Ase!” 

B’a ti wi beeni yio ri 

(Every day is a good one for those who are patient 

Every season brings joy to the truthful 

Everything is smooth for the well-wisher 

Lack or loss shall not be your lot in this land 

Just keep saying, “Ase!” 

And so shall it be) 

2. EEFO EGBE 

Egbe aladun lo mi pe wa, wa ka lo 

Egbe onire lo mi pe wa, wa ka lo 

(The Society of Sweetness calls to us, let us go 

The Society of Goodness calls to us, let us go) 

Igbimo Egbe a mu’re wo’lu 

Igbimo Egbe oninure 

Igbimo Egbe atunluto 

Abanise k’ola ko le dun 

Igbimo Egbe a mu’re wo’lu 

Igbimo Egbe oninure 

Igbimo Egbe atunluto 

Abanise k’ola ko le to 

(The council that brings goodness into the city 

The council of the large-hearted 

The council sworn to bring reform to society 

Those who strive for a good future) 

Ke s’omode pel’agbagba 

Okunrin ilu oninure 

Ke s’awon odo ireti ola 

Awon omo ola, omo ogbon 

Ke somode pel’agbagba 

Obinrin ilu oninure 

Ke s’awon odo ireti ola 

Awon omo ola, omo ogbon 

(Call upon the young and the old 

All the men and women with good hearts 

Call upon the youth, our hope of future glory 

The children of honour and wisdom) 

3. AGBO ORE 

Eni to duro, ma duro lele 

Eni joko, ma joko tetere 

Bo s’agbo ore, ife ma lo pe wa wa 

Ta’lo nse’re aladun - egbe awa ma lo d’ode 

Ta’lo nse’re idunnu 

Orin t’o nfun ni l’ayo o 

Ilu t’o npe’lu se’jo 

(You standing there, don’t stand too tight 

You sitting, don’t get complacent 

Come into the circle of friends 

Love brought us here 

And who’s making the sweet, joyful music 

That calls us strongly to the dance-floor? 

Our band is here again) 

Wole o, wole wa 

Turaka k’o mu ’ronu sonu 

Wole o pelu awon ore 

Ife ma lo pe wa wa 

(Come in, come on in 

Relax and let go of your worries 

Come in along with friends 

Love brought us here) 

Wo mi o, wo e, 

Ijo oni ma tun yato 

Pel’awon egbe onidera 

Ife ma lo pe wa wa 

(Look at me, look at you! 

Today’s dance is something else 

Here in the community of harmony 

Love brought us here) 

4. AGOGO AYO 

E l’agogo ayo pe ‘dera de 

Pe ‘tunu wo’le pel’ayo 

A dupe l’owo ori 

E l’agogo ihinrere pe ‘dunnu de 

Pe ‘dera wo’le pel’ayo 

A dupe l’owo ori 

E ko’ra jo ore, se’un t’o ye ka se 

Alabukun l’egbe awa o 

A dupe l’owo ori 

(Play the bells, 

Announce the arrival of peace, comfort and joy 

Play the bells, spread the good news 

Announce the coming of happiness and calm 

Come together friends 

Let us do what we must do 

Our is a blessed community 

We should be thankful) 

For everyday we’re getting stronger 

Everyday we’re moving closer 

For every moment full of joy 

Every moment full of beauty 

For every way we’re getting better 

Every way we’re reaching deeper 

For every moment full of glory 

Every moment full of wonder 

5. A O DIDE 

Alagbara nwuga ko se ’fura 

O l’oun l’oga igba 

A f’owo ola gba ni te’yoku mo’le 

Ko ma s’eni t’o to fo’hun 

Alagbara nko ni l’aya je 

O l’oun l’oga asiko 

Ika elenu eewo af’oro fa’ni l’eti ya 

Ko ma s’eni t’o je fo’hun 

Alakori o mo wipe a o dide o 

Wipe a o dide pelu igboya 

Wipe a o dide po l’ai ro ti’bi 

Ojo de tan t’a o dide o 

(The powerful one boasts that he is the master of seasons 

Tramples upon the weak and destroys all in his path 

And no one dares speak out 

The mighty one sows fear in all hearts 

Claims to be the master of time 

Foul-mouthed wicked soul with deafening words 

And no one dares speak out 

The fool doesn’t realize that we shall rise up 

We shall rise together in unity without fear 

One day soon, we shall rise) 

Egba merinla l’ounje owuro 

Iko mejila ni t’osan o 

Eni t’o kan lo mo ko ni se’ru e mo 

Ipasan elerujeje 

Ni’le won ti ko ni l’oro lo 

L’odo a o ri’bi so’ro 

Agba nd’orikodo nro’nu o 

Ko ma s’eni t’o je fo’hun 

(Fourteen lashes for breakfast, 

Twelve head raps for lunch 

Only those who’ve felt it know it 

Terrible, horrible punishment 

Our homes have been stripped of wealth 

And we dare not speak even outdoors 

The old ones hang their heads in deep thought 

No one dares speak out) 

K’onikaluku gbe’ra ni’le 

Oni l’ojo itusile 

A fe ko’re jade, itura ma de o 

Ona la, ka ye wa toro 

(Let everyone get ready, 

The day of liberation is here 

We are stepping out into freedom, good tidings 

May the path open and our lives be renewed) 

6. ESE ODO 

Ohun meji l’o mo, oo mo t’eni t’o mo mejila 

Ohun merin l’o mo, oo mo t’eni to mo merinla 

O wa nke “wo wo wo”, o mi ke “wiriwiri warawara” 

O nro pi pi pi, o mi dun huruhara harahuru 

Ki l’o nbe l’oko o t’akinkanju o ri ri 

Kini nbo l’aginju t’ode agba o i rin kan 

Bo ba ke “wo wo”, ode a dake pinpin 

Bo ba bu rara, agba a mura ija sile 

Bo ba yi’ra pada, ode a t’agbara se 

Bo ba wa d’omi, ipade d’ese odo 

(You know of two things, can’t compare to those who know twelve 

You know of four, can’t compare to those who know fourteen 

But here you go making loud noises… 

What’s there in the forest that the brave hunter hasn’t encountered? 

If it makes noise, the hunter stays quiet and still 

If it lets out a roar, the hunter gets ready for battle 

If it changes form, the hunter arms himself anew 

Should it turn into water, then we’ll meet at the river bank) 

7. OWO WA 

O mi be’ju ironu wo mi, eyi koja owe o 

Seb’eni a wi fun k’oba je o gbo, iyen l’abo alakori 

L’ai te’ti s’ogbon ipile, a o ti’ka ete ba’nu po l’ojo kan o 

O pe mo ti nba o so, ijo wo lo ma gbo ore o? 

T’a ba fe k’o dara fun wa, k’ojo ola ye wa o 

Sebi l’owo wa lo wa, owo wa l’o wa eni’re 

Ni’jo a ti nba’ra pade ni mo ti nsi o ni’ye yi o 

O f’aake ko’ri ko’ti ikun oju mi nfa roro o 

T’a ba fe k’o dara fun wa, ki’le aye wa ko dun k’ale 

(I see you casting a doleful look my way 

But I haven’t anything to say that I haven’t said already 

Regret results when we shun traditional wisdom 

When will you learn to listen? 

If we really want reform, a good future 

It’s all in our hands, right in our hands 

And I keep saying this every time we meet 

But you refuse to listen and break my heart 

If we want growth and development, it’s in our hands) 

Oju orun ma su dede ara gbola ajanilaya 

T’a ba le yi’wa pada ona atunse a la gerere 

A o t’omo s’ona iye, eemo o se ni wo’le wa ba ni l’osan gangan 

O wa nwo mi pakopako, emi lo a fe ntun ma wi? 

(The darkening sky portends danger 

But if we can retrace our steps and change our ways 

The road to reform will open up wide 

Chaos ensues when you don’t properly guide the youth 

Giving me strange looks, what else do you expect from me?) 

8. GUOGUO 

Bi’gba ba mi dun 

Oun gbogbo a da bi ere 

Gbogbo aye a ma yin o 

Won a ma pon e le l’otun l’osi 

Bi’gba ba yi pere 

Gbogbo ile a wa pa lolo 

Won a ma ki ni l’atookan 

Owo epo ni won nba ni la 

Sebi ile wura nd’ahoro 

Owo ohun ko ma ra ti ’gbeyin 

E w’awon ore ana npa guoguo 

Won a ni, “Mo ri o na, mo nbo, mo ri o na” 

(When things are going well 

Everything seems easy, good fun 

And folks will be hailing you right and left 

But should things go downhill, 

The whole house goes dead 

Folks will now keep their distance 

They’re only good for the good times 

Well, even a house of gold can become empty 

And all this money can’t buy off one’s end 

Now erstwhile friends go by sheepishly 

Saying, “See you soon, see you soon”) 

K’ale k’o le dun 

L’a se nji l’owuro s’ise 

Eni aye kan k’o lo jeje 

K’a ma fi t’eni p’ola o 

Ko s’oun ta o ri ri 

A ti r’omo alade t’o nd’eru 

A de ti r’eni t’on ro pin t’o nd’oloro 

Ka ma f’aigbon jin s’ogbun 

(We work hard for the sake our late years 

So, let those in power tread carefully 

That we may not use our today to destroy tomorrow 

There’s nothing new under the sun 

We’ve seen royal scions become slaves 

And we’ve seen paupers become wealthy 

May lack of wisdom not lead us into a deep dark pit) 

9. ITANA ODEDE 

Ni’bi won gbe nse’un t’o ye k’a se l’aye o 

Ni’bi won gbe nse’un to dara, ore 

Ni’bi won gbe nse’re aladun 

Ni’bi won gbe ns’ajoyo terintoyaya 

EniObanke - seb’awon lo l’ere oni 

EniObanke - itana odede, seb’awon lo nse’jo 

EniObanke - itasan oorun, seb’oun l’oga okunkun 

EniObanke - atonisona, ore ka lo ka jo de’be 

(Wherever they’re celebrating life 

Wherever they are doing good things 

Wherever there is sweet music 

Wherever happy folks are making merry 

EniObanke - the one you call upon 

EniObanke - lamp in the passage, dance-maker 

EniObanke - the rays of the sun, conqueror of darkness 

EniObanke - the guide, let’s go there friends) 

Ke s’omode pelu odo, ewe ati majesin 

Ke s’okunrin pel’obinrin, agbagba ilu 

Ke s’eni ti nbe l’oko t’o ns’ise k’o le da 

Ke s’eni to re ti o l’agbara mo 

(Call upon the youth, the children, toddlers 

Call to the men and women, all the elders 

Call to all those working hard for a bright future 

Call upon all those who are weary, devoid of energy) 

Ma gb’ese lokankan o, ni mejimeji 

A ti bo’ri ofo ati ’banuje 

Maa mi bo wun o o 

A ni boo fe d’okoto 

Gbogbo wa l’a wa ni’be 

L’agbo onidera, gbogbo wa l’a wa ni’be po 

(Go on, one step or two at a time 

We have overcome all sorrow and loss 

Just be there vibing if that’s what you want 

We are all present here, all of us 

In this gathering of harmony) 

10. IKORE 

E ma wole, e ku abo, e ma rora ore ara 

K’oju wa ma ri’re ati idunnu 

K’owo wa ma ko’re ayo 

K’eti wa ma gbo’royin aladun 

K’ile wa ma ro f’ayo 

(Welcome everyone, we greet you all 

May our eyes be blessed with rich sights 

May our hands harvest joy 

May our ears be blessed with sweet news 

May our homes resound with joy) 

There is a season to be out in the fields 

Many months of back-breaking labour 

There is another season for bountiful harvest 

And that is why we are gathered to celebrate 

Father was the knower who taught us everything 

Mother was the pillar who gave us strength 

All hands to the plough, we weathered many storms 

And that is why we are happy to celebrate 

The drums are resounding, voices raised in song 

Young maidens clapping wiggling waists 

I have only eyes for you my sweet darling 

You glow so bright in the moonlight 

Eni t’o nbo l’okere a ki yin 

Eni ti nbe ni’joko a ki yin 

Odomode pel’agbagba a ki yin 

Iya egbe, baba eto, a ki yin 

A ku ijo, a ku ayo, a ki yin 

Terinterin peloyaya la ki yin 

Eni s’ise ye k’o gbadun, a ki yin 

Ko ni re wa Egbe Aladun, a ki yin 

Gbogbo ilu a ku ayo, a ki yin 

Ijo oni ma tun yato, a ki yin 

(We greet you all - 

All those who are just coming in, 

All those already seated 

All the elders and youth, the mothers and fathers 

We welcome you all with smiles…) 

11. ORISIMETA 

Orisimeta eda laa pade arinrinajo 

Orisimeta eda laa kan l’ode aye eni’re 

Eni ti o gbe ni soke, iyen a tan bi ojo tuntun 

Eni ti o b’eni kedun kii jina si’bi ofo 

Eni ti o loso idena, iyen ki ma i f’oju han ni 

K’inu re ma so e eni’re 

K’owo e ma ri’re ati ibukun 

Kori e gbe e de bi ayo, ni baba wi 

Ase gun! 

(There are three kinds of folks you’ll meet on your journey 

Three types of people you’ll meet in this world: 

The ones who’ll promote you will shine bright as day 

The experts in mourning are never far from sad events 

Those who will set dangerous traps won’t show their faces 

May your kind heart guide you 

May your hands be enriched with blessings 

May your spirit lead you to joy 

That’s what the old man said, and so shall it be!) 

Orisimeta eda laa pade arinrinajo 

Orisimeta eda laa kan l’ode aye eni’re 

Eni ti o gbe ni pon s’eyin g’oke laikun lai s’awawi 

Eni ti o ko ni l’ese bi itakun arapalakiri 

Eni ti o wo ni s’ogbun ijogbo, agbara olorikunkun 

(There are three kinds of folks you’ll meet on your journey 

Three types of people you’ll meet in this world: 

The ones who’ll lift you up without grumbling 

Those who will be impediments, crawling forest undergrowth 

Those who’ll drag you down a dark hole like a stubborn flood 

May your kind heart guide you 

May your hands be enriched with blessings 

May your spirit lead you to joy 

That’s what the old man said, and so shall it be!) 

Orisimeta eda laa pade arinrinajo 

Orisimeta eda laa kan l’ode aye eni’re 

Eni ti o ba ni so’ro tutu, a fi’nu han ni 

Eni ti o to ni s’ona iya, oun ke a gba ’bomiran 

Eni ti o ba ni se po, a gb’eyin se yeye eni 

(There are three kinds of folks you’ll meet on your journey 

Three types of people you’ll meet in this world: 

The ones who’ll speak gently and share honest thoughts 

Those who’ll point you towards hardship while they take another way 

Those who be chummy with you but laugh at you behind 

May your kind heart guide you 

May your hands be enriched with blessings 

May your spirit lead you to joy 

That’s what the old man said, and so shall it be!) 

12. RIDDLE 

Ore wo mi titi o ni nwa ba’un de’gbe 

Se’mi ti ngo ni’bon, ti ngo l’ofa 

Mo l’o dara, iwo sa ma lo niwaju, mo nbo l’eyin re 

Ore wo mi titi o ni nwa ka lo d’egbe 

Se’mi ti ngo ni’da, ti ngo l’obe 

Mo l’o dara, iwo sa ma lo niwaju, 

K’o bo sinu igbo, mo nbo l’eyin re 

(My pal asks me to go hunting with him 

Despite knowing that I possess neither gun nor arrow 

Neither sword nor knife 

I said: fine, you go on in front, enter the wild 

I’ll be right there behind you) 

You’re looking for salvation where there is no contrition 

Reaching for hope you didn’t sow 

The answer is a riddle and there is no solution 

The more you find out, the less you know 

Ore wo mi titi o ni nwa ka lo d’omuwe 

Se’mi ti ngo l’apa, ti ngo l’ese 

Mo l’o dara, iwo sa ma lo niwaju 

K’o be lu’do, mo nbo l’eyin re 

(My pal asks me to come swimming with him 

Even though he knows I possess neither arms nor legs 

I said: fine, you go on in front, jump in the water 

I’ll be right there behind you) 

You’re looking for compassion where there is no reflection 

Reaching for faith you didn’t grow 

The answer is a riddle and there is no solution 

The more you find out the less you know 

Ore wo mi titi o ni nwa ba’un s’oro isiti 

Se’mi l’omo agba ti mo pe n’ile ogbon 

Mo l’o dara, o se nso’ro gidi ni 

Tetisile k’o gbo 

(My pal comes to me seeking counsel 

Says he knows I am a scion of the wise 

I said: cool, now we’re getting somewhere 

Listen to what I’ve got for you) 

Seb’owo genge eyi ti i siwaju ijo 

Oun lo d’ifa ’fomo Akin 

To d’omi ’re siwaju, ko le te’le idera 

S’o gbo, ore mi s’o gbo? 

13. OMONIYUN 

Owo mi osi, owo mi otun 

Owo mi mejeji ma fi gb’omo jo o 

Omo ni gbe ni, omo ni pe ni l’oja aye 

Omoniyun omonide omoniwura 

Omo l’aworan ere o 

Omo ni wo’le de ni, omo ni pe ni l’oja aye 

Omoniyun omonide omoniwura 

Omo l’aworan ere o 

B’o ti’nu mi wa, ma yo sese 

Bi a fun mi to, inu mi a dun geere 

Omoniyun omonide omoniwura 

Sebi ka ti r’omo ke ni 

B’o se l’okunrin ma yo si 

B’o se l’obinrin, ayo repete 

Omoniyun omonide omoniwura 

Sebi ka ti ri’kan ke ni 

(With my right hand, my left 

With both hands shall I rock children 

A child is a priceless treasure 

Whether it comes from my womb 

Or is given to me to nurture 

I’ll be happy to have one to take care of 

Whether male or female 

My joy shall know no bounds 

As long as I have one to take care of) 

14. FESTIVAL
Full Instrumental

15. RHYTHMRIDER 

Clouds of the north, 

Winds of the south 

I hear you’re looking for me 

Well, I’m here, I’m here 

Fairy of the woods 

King of all the kooks 

I hear you’re looking for me 

Well, I’m here, I’m here 

I’m right here in the centre-light 

Dancing till the morning light 

I’m here swaying with the beat 

Feeling good is such a treat 

Right here, there’s no better way 

Looking to a bright new day 

I’m here flying like a bird 

On the wings of a music god 

Mimic of the sea 

Rumble in a cup of tea 

I hear you’re looking for me 

Well, I’m here, I’m here 

Ghost of the closet 

Phantom of the moment 

I hear you’re looking for me 

Well, I’m here, I’m here… 

16. ARE YOU READY? 

Well, I could sing you a song 

About a land where nothing works 

And the youth are asleep or watching porn on TV 

I could take you around on the rough, bumpy road 

Paved with the blood of innocents 

Where light never shines on truth 

Some wait for a deliverer, some cry for deliverance 

Some just rape the motherland openly without remorse 

And the day grows into night, weeks into years 

Hope is shattered and the union is fragile and worn 

For the little ones looking up 

And the ones unborn who’ll be here very soon 

Can we wake up from our slumber 

Purge our minds of bigotry 

Turn our backs on corruption and fix the house? 

We can knock it down, rebuild it, we can grind it to dust 

Or we can go our separate ways and fight new wars 

The sunrise of pain must not set in sorrow 

Say what you must, do what you should 

Be the change you wish to see 

Tomorrow is another day to rise and lift your voice 

To reform! To rebirth! To truth and justice! 

Are you ready? 

17. WHEN WILL YOU BE READY? 

I think we all know this ain’t working 

Hasn’t worked from the start 

Too many years of horrors, so many dreams wasted 

So many lives destroyed 

And hope doesn’t live here anymore 

So when will you be ready? 

When will you be ready to face the truth? 

When will you be ready to stand for justice? 

When will you be ready? 

When will you be ready? 

Is it when your Pastor says? 

Or when your Imam commands? 

Is it when your Influencers decide? 

Or do you have a mind of your own? 

Can’t you see the time is here 

To step away from hypocrisy 

Stop the rot and all the backwardness? 

Why delay? The job’s got to be done 

When will you be ready? 

18. TO BE FREE 

Everybody wants to be free 

Free like the birds perching high up in the tree 

Everybody wants to be free 

Oh, like the wind blowing there and everywhere 

But can we break the chains of chauvinism 

Can we turn away those selfish thoughts 

Can we stand up for justice in every way and everywhere? 

Everybody wants to be free 

Free like a river rolling down to the sea 

Everybody wants to be free 

Oh, like the sun burning bright through the day 

But can we break our bonds with bigotry 

Can we still the greed in our hearts 

Can we be real every moment and face the truth in every way? 

There’s a way to be 

In peace like brothers and sisters 

Where truth and just walk hand in hand 

Like true lovers 

19. ENCRYPTED 

Now here we are in the house of deception 

Waiting for our turn in glory 

“In due course”, they say 

Any dissent is a cause for deception 

Play the game or you’ll be sorry 

Cast out with the dreamers 

Just follow, follow, follow the mark 

Follow, follow, follow the colours 

Follow, follow, follow the banner 

It may be embroidered 

It may be engraved 

It may be encrypted 

But it’s got your number 

Shed your pride you’re in the house of deception 

Everyone here has the same name 

Clones of the master 

Those who can’t be melted in the illusion 

Will be the ones to take the blame 

Shut out with the dreamers 

20. COME THE MOMENT 

Some will never hear the call 

Till it’s too late for them 

And they will blame you for not speaking loud 

They will never hear the sound 

Until the light is gone 

And the darkness descends upon them 

Come the moment come the man 

Here’s the root of lasting peace 

Come to justice, come to truth 

Here is where we ought to be 

For the worker in the field 

We’re the profit of your pain 

To the mothers of the land 

We’re the voices of your rage 

For the stream we sailed the sea 

For the molehill we climbed the mountain 

For the people and those to come in time 

We set wisdom in stone 

21. GUINEAMAN 

The words have been written oh Lord of Letters 

On stone and water, in sacred places 

The sins of the night now revealed in light 

And the feeling grows 

The word has been sent out oh Lord of Letter 

For freedom, justice, true liberation 

Voices are calling for restitution 

And the feeling grows 

Light your candle, burn a fire 

For the stolen child of the way 

Lift your candle, raise it higher 

For the forgotten who slept in the sea 

And the number grows 

Ah-one, ah-two, ah-one hundred 

ah-two, ah-three, four hundred strong 

Bring more, more, fold them in there 

Watch the numbers grow 

Count your mirrors, your silk dresses 

Check your money it’s all in there 

There’s no tomorrow, only the moment 

Sell your soul and rejoice in your reflection 

As the numbers grow 

The guineaman is waiting for us, waiting 

Go tell the man we’re ready to sail to pain 

The guineaman is swaying, dancing on the water 

As the numbers grow 

22. DRIFT ON 
I’ll give you the answers if you really wish to know 

The head is rotten, the body is spoilt 

The holy man is a liar and there is no lady of virtue 

Your songs are empty, and the people hunger for lies 

They want lies in the morning 

Deception in the evening 

They just can’t get enough, it’s just the way we roll 

They lament of poverty and pain in their lives 

But their minds are bent 

And their hearts are full of hate 

I’ll give you the answers if you really wish to know 

Without love there’s no truth 

No truth, and no justice 

A land with no justice cannot be alive 

Like a body with no soul, we just drift on and on 

23. DELIGHT 

Delight to see you every night in my dreams 

Every hour spent with you, oh so joyous! 

Lover, love has pulled us together 

Let’s hold on until the break of day 

I’d like to see us walk the streets of glory 

All the visions we had, in reality 

Lover, lover, before our time is over 

We shall see the dawn of true liberation 

Delight to see you first thing in the morning 

Every moment we share, oh so precious! 

Lover, love has brought us together 

So we’ll ring the bell of hope 

In your eyes I see the things you don’t say 

I know you still believe even when you’re weary 

Lover, lover, the storm will soon be over 

And we’ll see the light of true emancipation 

They say we’re nobodies - sons of nobodies 

And our plans will never come to much 

But, while they slumber 

We’ll be getting stronger 

They say we’re nobodies - daughters of nobodies 

But we’ve got the answer to the riddle 

For while they’re scampering 

We’ll be re-arranging 

24. THE EYE 

Oh, torrid feeling! 

Got me choking on words 

I know you know the way I feel inside 

Bet you do, bet you do! 

Oh, horrid feeling! 

Got me swallowing bile 

Well you know the way I feel alright 

You walked the road long before 

Well go on, tell me, tell me 

Say I should have known it would end this way 

Go on, laugh at me all you want 

I know I should have known 

If I had the eye 

Oh, good graces! 

Have ears cannot hear 

Think they know but so far behind 

And nothing works here anymore 

Oh, poor souls! 

How I try to raise your cloud 

Wasted words and energy 

Y’keep on going from bad to worse 

25. THE VERY BEST 

You probably thought I forgot 

When I didn’t say a word the other night 

I was waiting for the morning sun 

Just to sing you this song 

How I wish you beautiful stories 

I wish you a wonderful life 

You mean much more than you know 

And I hope this makes you smile 

And I wish you joy and laughter 

I wish you magical moments 

I wish you love that never cloys 

Yes, I wish you strength to go on 

I wish you dreams that come true 

And I wish you the very best of you, my love 

You probably thought I forgot 

When I didn’t join the crowd 

I was waiting for the perfect chance 

Just to sing you this song 

How I wish you delightful stories 

I wish you a colourful life 

You mean much more than the day 

And I hope this makes you smile 

26. COME BY 

I don’t wanna know where you’ve been 

Where you took our little dream 

I just wanna see you a-glowing 

Smiling bright, full of pride 

Here in the place you’ve always reigned 

Come by queen, take my world 

I just wanna keep on moving on 

I just wanna keep on building hope 

Right here, babe, in the eye of love 

Can you feel it? 

I don’t wanna hear what they say 

When they gather up in that alley 

Some of them holding the tail 

But in their minds think it’s the head 

Perfect cloud and sumptuous rain 

Walk in queen, you’ve got my vote 

Yeah, we’ve been here before 

Errors that we made, shackles on the feet 

Just like a volcano ready for the burst 

I think you understand… 

I don’t wanna be on that road 

Going nowhere very fast 

Take some time to hear the wind 

Whistling wildly past my door 

It’s a peaceful rage 

Come right through queen of my world 

27. DOORWAYS AND SHADOWS 

Three-legged horse in the clouds 

Gold dust in the shadows 

There’s a rainbow in the doorway 

Countless stars in the ceiling 

It’s the way you love me 

Something about the way you love me 

Oh, I love the way you love me 

How I love the way you love me babe! 

Feels like we’ve been here forever 

Feels like it’s only been a minute 

Feels like we could be eternally aloft 

Light and bright in the moment 

There were circles, a garden in the centre 

There were raindrops hung up in the air 

And they were so close to the mother of the angels 

Tiny voices singing, “Do you want more?” 

28. TRY YORUBA 

If you have things to say 

That are stuck in your throat 

Spit it out then - try Yoruba 

Gbogbo ona lona, 

Eniburuku ti lekun ayo, o gbagbe ferese idunnu 

Ona la! 

(Every way is a road 

The evil one shuts the door to joy 

Forgetting there is a window of happiness 

Open up, road!) 

If your lover is making waves 

Looks like trouble on the way 

Don’t wanna be lonely so quickly again 

Well then, try Yoruba 

Abefe mi, olojuede, eyifunjowo, aponbepore 

T’o si mo bi mo se feran re to, ha ha, r’erin joo 

(My beautiful, endearing and charming darling 

You do know how much I adore you 

Come, give us a smile!) 

If you get stuck in a dark place 

And you need to let them know who’s boss 

No need for guns, no need for clubs, no need for knives, just try Yoruba 

E je kori gbogbo wa pe, ab’e mo bi mo se je ni? 

Ti mo ba se ewa fun e! 

(Listen, we all better have your heads properly screwed on 

Don’t you know who I am? 

If I should!) 

If you get to the crossroads finally 

But they say your sacrifice "don’t cut it" 

Don’t fall to pieces man 

Hold your arms up, let the words spill 

Try Yoruba 

Oluwa mi ero, Oluwa mi ero 

Epo re, eja re, owo mi re kiki efun, 

Oluwa mi ero 

(Mercy, my lord, mercy 

Here are all the offerings you demanded 

Mercy, my lord!) 

And the day The Reaper comes 

Says it’s your turn to make the trip 

There’s a way to say you’re not ready 

Try Yoruba 

Bi a ba ni a m’oni, ola laa mu 

Ng’e se tan, ani ng’e se tan, mo ni ng’e se tan! 

(In reaching for today, you will only grab tomorrow 

I’m not ready, I’m not ready, I say!) 

If all you know is one word, 

If all you know is only a phrase 

Let it out, let if flow 

Try Yoruba 

Not just a language, 

It’s a safe password, 

It’s a super duper code 

Try Yoruba