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. © & ℗ 2010 EniObanke
1. COMING SOON
I come from a world where rivers sing a song
And every tree has its place
We love the land, the valleys and the hills
And we know who made them all.
Come into my village, feel at home my friend
We’ll make you pounded yam while you sip some palm-wine
Come leave behind your preconceived ideas
Into our world of love.
I come from a world where rivers sing a song
And every tree has its place
We love the land, the beasts and the birds
And we know who made them all.
Down by the river we made a vow
Said we would never be afraid
No matter what may lay ahead,
We’ll stand for what is right
And once again we’ll be masters of the land-
Hardworking, honest people
Yes, like my mama said years ago
You know that everything will be alright.
So let them do what they will,
We know the path we must follow
And the words of our fathers
Will guide us all the way to victory.
So, sisters when you get a bit weary,
Put a little song in your mouth
And let the words ring across the land-
You know that everything will be alright.
Change is going to come and it’s coming soon
The night was full of merriment
Drumming, singing we rejoice
Lovely maidens led the way
And everyone danced along.
Soon the darkness covered everything
Turn by turn we made for bed
With a little smile from my mama
Saying, “Everything will be alright”.
Now I dream of the past
And the many days of promise to come
Yes, I am more than ready
To bear my burden with a smile.
So come, brother, come along to the farm
Raise your head with pride
Together we will reform this land, everything will be alright
Change is going to come and it’s coming soon.
2. ṢE’UNTOOṢE
Ọmọ ò bá mà j’ayé orí rẹ l’òde
Ọjọ́ mbọ̀ wípé oò ní le lò’gbà
Ilé ayé ẹ̀dá bí ìṣẹ́jú akàn mà l’ó rí
Ọba jẹ́ a lò’gbà yí pẹ́ o l’áyé
Ọmọ, ọmọ, ọmọ ò bá mà ṣ’iṣẹ́ ọwọ́ rẹ l’ọ̀dọ́ o
Ìgbà mbọ̀ kánkán o ní le làkàkà
Ilé ayé ẹ̀dá bí ìṣẹ́jú akàn mà l’ó rí
Ọba jẹ́ a lò’gbà yí pẹ́ o l’áyé
(Child, you should enjoy every moment of your youth
Time is coming you won’t be able do as much
Our lifetime so fleeting
May we enjoy this good season for long
Child, work hard while you still have strength
A season comes when you won’t be as strong
Man’s existence so fleeting
May we enjoy this good season for long)
Ṣe’untóóse ọ̀rẹ́ ọjọ́ nlọ o
Kìràkìtà ò d’ọlà, ṣèb’órí l’ó nla ni
Àmọ̀ṣe ò d’ọrọ̀ ẹ̀dá ní gbe ni
(Do what you have to do, friend, time passes
Huffing and puffing doesn’t always guarantee success
Neither does proficiency
May we meet with good fortune)
3. HARVESTIME
You know the truth the say will set you free
And if you play it right you win the game
The race is not for those who are swift
The crown will be won by those who wait
Ṣeb’ẹ́yin lẹ l’òní o, ẹ dẹ̀ nṣì’wà wù
Ẹni tó l’ọ̀la nbọ̀ l’ọ́nà wọn nsá’ré
Ọba tó l’ọjọ́ gbogbo kì mà í sùn
Ẹni t’ó mòye a bẹ̀ yín o, kẹ́ẹ tẹ́’tí
(You may hold all the power today
But those who will rule tomorrow are already in the race
The King of all days never sleeps
Let the wise take heed)
So you can sow your seed and watch it grow
Harvestime is near and we will see
It wouldn’t matter who you know or seek
Time is up and you will pay the price
Ọ̀rẹ́ mi ta’fà s’ókè f’odó b’orí
Ẹ̀san ò ní s’àì ké, ó lè pẹ́ o, kóo gbọ́
Àrígiṣégi, mọ̀dàrú, àpà, ọ̀bàyẹ́jẹ́
Ìgbà ọ̀tun mà dé tán, mo mà nw’ọ̀nà kẹ́e gbọ́ o
(You shoot poisonous arrows and then hide your tracks
Retribution will come your way eventually
Listen up all you prodigals, destroyers and corrupt elements
A new season of rebirth is coming
And I look forward eagerly to it)
Òtítọ́ korò yé o, kò dùn l’étí
Ọ̀rọ̀ ẹ̀tàn ìyẹn mà l’ó pọ̀ jù
Ẹni a wí fún ọba mà jẹ́ ó gbọ́ o
Èyí a kìlọ̀ fún, mà jẹ́ ó gbà l’ásìkò
Ṣeb’ẹ́yin lẹ l’òní o, ẹ dẹ̀ nṣì’wà wù
Ẹni tó l’ọ̀la nbọ̀ l’ọ́nà wọn nsá’ré
Ọba tó l’ọjọ́ gbogbo kì mà í sùn
Ẹ̀san ìkà lè pẹ́ sùgbọ́n o nbọ̀, kẹ́ẹ gbọ́ o
(The truth can be very bitter to the ears
Unlike sweet flattery which predominates
May those who need this admonition hear it
May they take heed in good time
The reward of the wicked may tarry but it is coming.
You may hold sway today
But those who will rule tomorrow are already in the race
The King of all days never sleeps
The reward of the wicked may tarry but it is coming)
4. KURUNMI IS ON THE WAY
Lately when we see them, they talk about change
They say it is their turn now to be leaders of the people
Tell them I’ve been there many many times before
And no one can trick me with honey mouth again.
Lately when we meet them they flex their muscles up
They talk about bravery and courage never seen
Tell them I know book o and heroes wey no beg
Real man na for action, no be for mouth o.
Here comes the fire-eating guy
My lord with arrows in his eyes and burning anger
Let no one stand in his way
This land will never be the same again.
Here comes the fire-spitting guy
Aare Kurunmi is on the way with his sword of justice
Warn all the liars and pretenders
The day of reckoning is here, beware!
Lately when we see them, they talk about their conquests
The many battles fought in the trenches for your rights
If you ask for evidence na award you go see
And many many honours from foreign bodies o.
See them on the street now preaching to the crowd
The true test of a leader is to lead right in front
And be responsible when things go wrong
No be to dey run and make excuse o.
Children you will learn and you must never forget
The past is full of heroes from whom we can learn
And real lessons to guide us today
Many many stories to make us proud too.
Lately when we meet them they count up their losses
The pains and the scars of their vain struggle o
Kurunmi lost five sons all in a day
But he never wavered till the very last stand
Ọkùnrin ogun, ọkùnrin ogun ni Kúrunmí o, kìí ṣ’ojo
Akínkanjú, akínkanjú ni Kúrunmí o, kìí ṣ’ọ̀lẹ
(Kurunmi, valiant warrior, unflappable
Kurnmi the brave, untiring!)
5. ONILENRELE
Ìdẹ̀ra dé, ẹ jó ẹ yọ̀ - ará ẹ wá, ẹ jó ẹ yọ̀
A k’ónílé, ẹ mà k’álejò
A k’ẹ́ni tí nṣ’ètò k’ó lè da o
Abániṣé àt’àwọn abánirò
Ẹ wá jó, ẹ wá yọ̀, ẹ wá gb’órin t’ó dùn o
A mà gb’éré ọ̀tun wọ̀’lú o, ní gbẹdẹmukẹ
Pà ’rònú rẹ́, ẹ jó ẹ yọ̀
Ẹ k’ọ́mọdé ẹ mà k’álàgbà o
Ẹ k’ẹ́ni tí ngb’èrò k’ó lè da o é
Abánigbé àt’àwọn abánitò
Sọ ‘tìjú nù, ẹ jó ẹ yọ̀
Gbogbo ayé l’a pè má ṣ’àfara
L’ágbo n’íbí ẹnìkan ò ga jù kan lọ ò e
Ẹ gb’ẹ́mu wá kí bàbá f’àdúrà si
(Behold a new season of comfort and happiness
Come forth, people, let’s dance and celebrate
Warm welcome to all the planners, the builders,
Those who work for the common good,
And those who sow in honesty and truth.
Here we come with a new song, everyone is welcome
Bring the palm-wine, let the old man say prayers)
Ìran ò ní gbée yín lọ o, ijó ò ní jóo yín o
Irú nkan ayọ̀ báyìí laá ma rí
Mo wá fẹ́ dá’rin kan báyìí, ṣ’ẹ́ gbèé?
Ọba gbà mí o, ọjọ́ nlọ, onílénrelé wọn, gbà mí o, ọjọ́ nlọ o
Ọlọ́fin ọ̀run, adániwáyé, ẹníṣojúṣemú, ẹni tó rán mi wá,
Adánibótirí, ọba àìkú gbanigbani l’ọ́jọ́ ewu
Ọba gbà mí o, ọjọ́ nlọ, onílénrelé wọn, gbà mí o, ọjọ́ nlọ o
Ẹẹ ma rí ṣe o - Àṣẹ!
(May you not meet with danger in your merriment
May we have more of such joyful occasions.
Now, I’d like to raise a song, will you sing with me?
Deliver us Lord of the heavens, Eternal King
Mother of Wisdom and Father of Light,
Night comes and friends depart
Deliver us, before it is too late.
May you all prosper - so shall it be!)
6. IRINAJO
Ìrìnàjò ọmọ ní’lé ayé o, y’ó l’ádùn, y’ó dùn j’oyin
Ọ̀rọ̀ ìlérí y’ó sì ṣẹ o, b’ó pẹ́ o, b’ó yá o
Ìrìnàjò wa ní’lé ayé o, y’ó l’ádùn, y’ó dùn j’oyin
Ọ̀rọ̀ ìlérí y’ó sì ṣẹ o, b’ó pẹ́ o, b’ó yá o
Oh, akólòlò á pe baba, ẹní gbin wúrà á ṣe bẹbẹ
Oh, oníkálukú ni y’ó jèrè iṣẹ́ ọwọ́ rẹ̀ b’ọ́lọ́jọ́ dé
(Our journey through life will be happy and sweet
Sooner or later, this prophecy shall be fufilled
The stutterer will eventually make his point
Those who sow gold will reap a festival
It may be long but each will get his due, good or bad)
7. TẸTISILẸ
Ò njá’gbó já’jù káàkiri
Wàhálà wọ̀ ọ́ l’ọ́rùn, oò r’ójú r’áyè
Ò nf’ojú mi s’ọ́nà, mo nrò nípà tì’rẹ
Ì bá dára kóo gbọ́ràn, k’ólùtùnú wọ’lé
Tẹ́tí o, kóo gbọ́ o, olólùfẹ́ mo nsọ̀rọ̀, tẹ́tísílẹ̀ kóo gbọ́
(You hustle hard, up and down
So trouble-laden you can barely see what’s up ahead
You make me really anxious and fearful for you
I wish you would pay attention and let in some comfort
Listen beloved, mind my words)
A nm’ẹ́yẹ bọ̀ lápò, o ní funfun ni bí,
Àìnísùúrù yí o, ni ò jẹ́ o rína
Oun t’ó nlé lọ s’ọ́jà nbẹ l’ẹ́hìnkùlé o
Ì bá dára kóo gbọ́ràn, k’ólùtùnú wọ’lé
Tẹ́tí o, kóo gbọ́ o, olólùfẹ́ mo nbẹ̀bẹ̀ tẹ́tísílẹ̀ kóo gbọ́
(Always jumping to conclusions
This lack of patience is why you can’t find the way
What you’re chasing about is right within reach
I wish you would pay attention and let in some comfort
Listen beloved, mind my words)
Ilé ayé a wá o, à f’ọwọ́ bà fiílẹ̀ ni
Ọrọ̀ inú ẹ̀ yí kò mà l’áyọ̀lé o,
Ohun t’ó nwà mọ́’yà, ogún àjèjì ni
Ì bá dára kóo gbọ́ràn, k’ólùtùnú wọ’lé
Tẹ́tí o, kóo gbọ́ o, olólùfẹ́ mo nkìlọ̀, tẹ́tísílẹ̀ kóo gbọ́
(This life is so ephemeral
Material wealth is not worth rejoicing over
All you’ve acquired will eventually go to strangers
I wish you would pay attention and let in some comfort
Listen beloved, mind my words)
O njá’gbó já’jù káàkiri
Wàhálà wọ̀ ọ́ l’ọ́rùn, oò r’ọ́kàn ba’lẹ̀,
Ilé mi wà síbẹ̀ ṣíṣí ni’lẹ̀kùn wà,
Jọ̀wọ́ jẹ́ ngbé ẹ s’áyà k’ólùtùnú wọ’lé.
Tẹ́tí o, kóo gbọ́ o, olólùfẹ́ mo nwọ̀nà, tẹ́tísílẹ̀ kóo gbọ́
Káàbọ̀!
(You hustle hard, up and down
So trouble-laden your mind has no rest
My door is always open, I’m waiting
Come in, lie upon my bosom and find some comfort
Welcome!)
8. REVOLUTION TIME
Living in a real and true revolution time - fight the good fight
(Stand firm, stay the course)
Got to wake up now from deep slumber
Break away the chains that hold us down
True freedom does not come to those who sit and pray,
Stand up raise your voice and be heard, living true.
Time to throw away the yoke of slavery
We’ve been used and abused far too long
Even as I speak the exploitation continues
The master takes the gold and we get the pain, just like before.
Doesn’t matter the colour of his skin
The man in Washington only cares for America
So when you need some help, don’t you go there for salvation
Got to learn to depend on ourselves and look inwards.
Got to wake up now from deep slumber
Break away the chains that hold us down
Seek ye first the peace of the neighbours all around you
Make this house of a place of happiness, just like before
9. THE PLEASURE IS MINE
Sometimes bad things happen to good people
And no matter what you do, you can’t get out of your own way
The wind of change blows and soon things will be better
So remember, my friend, the pleasure is mine!
10. OWOLAMỌ
Owó l’a mọ̀, a ò fi t’ìwà ṣe
Àìf’ọ̀tẹ̀ sí’lẹ̀ ni ò j’áyé ó gún
Ṣeb’ójú l’à nwò, a ò wo tì’ṣẹ̀ṣe, òun l’ẹni ẹ̀tẹ́ ṣe nd’ère àjíbọ
Òun n’irú wọn ṣe nd’ẹni à nmú j’ọba
(We value material wealth over good character
This paucity of good values is why our society is in trouble
Slaves to the superficial, easily deceived by what we see
And that is why we are cursed with bad leadership)
Ẹ w’ọmọ àdánù tí nfi’ná s’ábẹ́ òrùlé
Gbogbo ìgbìmọ̀ ẹ sì dákẹ́ ẹ nwò’ran
Tal’olùgbàlà tí ó yọ wá nínú òfò yìí
Ọwọ́ ara wa l’a ó fi gbé’ra wa
Àìṣòtítọ́ ni ò j’áyé ó gún, àìbìkítà ní sọ’lé di’gbó ará mi o
Tal’olùgbàlà tí ó yọ wá nínú ìfàsẹ́yìn
Ọwọ́ ara wa la ó fi tú ‘ra wa
(Behold a prodigal setting fire to the roof
And yet the people’s council keeps quiet
Where is the saviour to redeem us from this loss?
We will have to lift ourselves.
Dishonesty and corruption create chaos
Neglect and lack of planning destroy the community
So, who will rescue us from backwardness?
We will have to save ourselves)
Ẹ w’apànìyàn tí nyan fanda l’ójúde l’ọ̀sán
Ẹ̀jẹ̀ aláìṣẹ̀ ìyẹn nké rara
Tal’olùgbàlà tí ó yọ wá nínú ọ̀fọ̀ yìí o
Ọwọ́ ara wa l’a ó fi gbé’ra wa
Àbọ̀ ọ̀rọ̀ làá sọ f’ọ́mọlúàbí o
B’ó dé ‘nú rẹ̀ á d’odidi
Tal’olùgbàlà tí ó yọ wá nínú ìgbèkùn yìí
Ọwọ́ ara wa la ó fi tú ‘ra wa
(See a killer walking freely on the street in broad daylight
While the blood of the innocent cries for justice
Who will extract us from this mourning?
We will have to do it ourselves.
A wise soul only needs the tiny seed of a suggestion
He internalizes it and produces wholesome action
Who will free us of these chains?
We will have to liberate ourselves)
11. THIS BURNING HOUSE
Well, you know the sun doesn’t shine the way it used to
And if it rains or not, the land is not the same
Danger comes around in these winds of destruction
Living in denial in a house that’s burning down, you better wake up
Come, let’s take a trip to the melting polar ice
Seems all you can see are the money possibilities
Why not open your eyes to the dire consequences?
Man’s greed has gone full circle and it’s time to wake up
There’s a sense of urgency that is needed now
Got to take some action before it is too late to fix it
We pollute the air and the birds have flown away
Poison the sea and the fishes disappear
Cut down all the trees and the land is now a desert
Time is jumbled up and the seasons are all mixed up
When the sky is gone and new troubles are born
Running round in circles as nature takes revenge and payback
In the cesspool of pollution, every living thing will suffer
My dear child, tomorrow is not so certain
Burning, burning, burning - this house is burning down
Money, money, money - that’s all we care about
12. THIS BURNING HOUSE II (Instrumental)