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. © & ℗ 2014 EniObanke
1. ẸNIỌMỌSIN
Oun ìyá rere nṣe ó pọ̀ l’ọ́rọ̀ ọmọ
Wọ́n á tọ́ ni s’ọ́nà, wọ́n á kọ́ ni mọ̀ọ́ ṣe
Wọ́n á ṣiṣẹ́ bí ẹni kì í rẹ̀ nígbàgbogbo
Olùfẹ́ àkọ́kọ́, ìyá ni o
Oun ìyá rere nṣe ó pọ̀ l’ọ́rọ̀ ọmọ
Wọ́n á gbé ni jó o, wọ́n á rẹ ni l’ẹ́kún
Wọ́n á ṣiṣẹ́ bí ẹni kì í rẹ̀ nígbàgbogbo
Olùfẹ́ òtítọ́, ìyá ni o
Oun ìyá rere nṣe ó pọ̀ l’ọ́rọ̀ ọmọ
A bá ni s’ọ̀rọ̀ ìwúrí, a gbé ni ró o
Nínú àìní àti ìkorò kì í da ni
Olùfẹ́ àkọ́kọ́, ìyá ni o
Oun ìyá rere nṣe ó pọ̀ l’ọ́rọ̀ ọmọ
A mú ni mọ̀’nà òtítọ́ pẹ̀lú sùúrù
Wọ́n á ṣiṣẹ́ bí ẹni kì í rẹ̀ nígbàgbogbo
Olùfẹ́ òtítọ́, ìyá ni o
Ẹni bí’mọ kó má yọ̀ jù
Ẹni ò ì bí ìyẹn má ba ‘nú jẹ́
Ọba òkè ò gbàgbé ẹnìkankan
Ẹni ọmọ sin ṣé yẹn ló bí‘mọ o
(A good mother’s roles in a child’s life are invaluable
She’s the pathfinder, the caregiver, the cheerleader
Tireless, ever present on the job
A good mother is a child’s first love.
A good mother’s impact on a child’s life is incalculable
She’s the mentor, the inspirational speaker, the gentle teacher
She never gives up even in most dire adversity
A good mother is a child’s true love.
Do not over-jubilate when you have a child
And those still waiting should not despair
You can only lay claim to motherhood
When your passing is celebrated by well-raised children.)
2. WẸYINWO
In this time we live in, this time we live in
Time we live in, this time we live in
You can’t always find a friend
They’ll tell you to get your own bread
And hope is not that easy
Oh no, you can’t always find a true friend
And it doesn't get any easier
Ọ̀rẹ́ àjọjẹ o, wọ́n pọ̀ lóde o
Ọ̀rẹ́ ojú ayé o, àwọn ná mà kún ‘ta o
T’o bá ṣe rere o, inú wọn á bàjẹ́ o
O ò gbọdọ̀ ní’lọsíwájú, wọ́n á máa ṣè’lara
Bóo ṣe nwo ‘wájú, ko ya máa b’ẹ̀yìn wò o
Ọ̀rẹ́ w’ẹ̀yìn,
W’ẹ̀yìn rẹ, w’ẹ̀yìn rẹ, w’ẹ̀yìn rẹ - bóo ṣe nwo ‘wájú o
W’ẹ̀yìn rẹ, w’ẹ̀yìn rẹ, w’ẹ̀yìn wò
(True friends are hard to find out there
When you make progress, they get bitter and envious
Keep your eyes on the future, but watch your back)
In this place of shadows where dreams are born
This house of illusion where dreams are shattered
The truth may not be true
The fittest rule with might
And justice isn’t always served
Oh no, reality may not be real
And it doesn't get any easier
Apálará, kọ ‘jú sí tìrẹ o
Má w’ago aláago sáré, k’o dẹ̀ rọra ṣe o
Ijọ́ tóo bá rí o, pèsè f’ọ́jọ́ àìní o
Bóo ṣe nwo ‘wájú, ko ya máa b’ẹ̀yìn wò o
Ọ̀rẹ́ w’ẹ̀yìn,
W’ẹ̀yìn rẹ, w’ẹ̀yìn rẹ, w’ẹ̀yìn rẹ - bóo ṣe nwo ‘wájú o
W’ẹ̀yìn rẹ, w’ẹ̀yìn rẹ, w’ẹ̀yìn wò
(Follow your own path, stop chasing shadows
And when you have, remember to save for the day of lack
Keep your eyes on the future, but watch your back)
3. THE PATH
I sing for the little ones
For the women with their worries
I sing for the old and tired
Give the youth some hope and direction
I sing for the downtrodden
The beaten man in the gutter
I sing for the powerful
That they may be humble and learn to be kind
Change will come to the one who is ready
Face the truth and stand for justice
Too many days of pain and sorrow
Now is the time to make your move
Gb’ọ̀nà àtúndá yẹn, ó yẹ kóo gb’ọ̀nà àtúndá yẹn
Ó yẹ kóo m’ọ̀nà àtúnbí yẹn
Ó yẹ kóo m’ọ̀nà yí o
(Take that path of rebirth
You should know that path)
I sing for the high and low
Of the ups and downs of life
Make the journey easier
For my brothers and sisters trapped in the struggle
I sing of ancient wisdom
To remind you in simple words
If your neighbor is not happy
There is no way you can be at peace
Sow your life, your talent and energy
Plant a tree today my sister
Provide shade for future wayfarers
Make this land better than we met it
Don't you worry about me
I’m just a flash of light passing through
Find the strength to make the change
And strive to be happy, strive to be free
There’s no reason to wallow in sadness
Stand up strong and raise your head
For the day of reckoning cometh
When we’ll be marching to the sound of freedom
Change will come to the one who is ready
Face the truth and stand for justice
Too many days of pain and sorrow
Now is the time to make your move
4. SILENT NO MORE
Some people have come here to sell
Some people have come here to buy
Some people come along just to watch them
We share love
We spread love
We share love
Some people have come here to build
Some people have come here to grab
Some people come along just to destroy
We won’t be silent no more
We spread love
We won’t be silent no more
Some people look up to the sky
Waiting for a mighty deliverer
Some people dig up all the riches
We won’t be watching no more
We spread love
We won’t be watching no more
Some people have come here to run
Some people take it with no sweat
There’s always someone looking to be smart
We won’t be silent no more
We will be standing in the light
We won’t be silent no more
5. OṢOMAALO
B’ó sáré ma fò o, b’ó dẹ̀ rìn ma sáré
Ọdẹ tí ó mú ìjímèrè, ìyẹn náà á ṣe bí ọ̀bọ
B’ó wọ’lé ma lòṣó o, ma dèrìgì pẹ̀lú eléyín
Ọdẹ tí ó mú ìjímèrè, ìyẹn náà á ṣe bí ọ̀bọ
Wọlé o bá nmú nkan mi
Gbèsè rẹ ni o máa sán
B’ó pọ́n’gi ma tẹ̀le, b’o wẹ̀’kun ma wọ’nú ibú
Ọdẹ tí ó mú ìjímèrè, ìyẹn náà á ṣe bí ọ̀bọ
B’ó mú ‘nú aginjù lọ, ma fi ìgboyà wọ’nú igbó
Ọdẹ tí ó mú ìjímèrè, ìyẹn náà á ṣe bí ọ̀bọ
Wọlé o bá nmú nkan mi
Gbèsè rẹ ni o máa sán
(If he runs, I will fly and if he walks, I will run
To trap an ape, a hunter must think like one.
If he hides in his house, I will squat at the door
I will stick to him like gum to tooth.
Now go in and get my thing
It’s your debt and you must settle it.
If he goes up a tree, I will climb along
And if he swims the ocean, I will dive in
To trap an ape, a hunter must think like one.
If he runs to the forest, I will bravely follow
To trap an ape, a hunter must think like one.
Now go in and get my thing
It’s your debt and you must settle it.)
6. HOUSE BY THE SEA
Martha paints, paints, paints
Sitting all alone, in her little house by the sea
And every moment passing brings him closer still
And soon he’ll be coming home.
Martha sews, sews, sews
Makes a little quilt, in her little house by the sea
And every door that's creaking brings a little smile
That soon he’ll be coming home.
Martha prays, prays, prays
By her dainty crib, in her little house by the sea
Cos every word of the letter makes it plain and clear
He won’t be coming home no more.
Martha dusts, dusts, dusts
Cleans up every inch of her little house by the sea
Cos when they bring the body, it will be like a king
Laying on a golden bed.
Martha waits, waits, waits
Counting up the stars above her little house by the sea
And every distant twinkle, like his gentle hand
Wipes away her silent tears.
Martha’s grey now
Sitting all alone in her little house by the sea
And every moment passing brings her closer still
To the one she loves the most
Martha’s gone now…
7. TEWỌGBARE
Tẹ́wọ́gbare yé o
Tẹ́wọ́gbare yé, ire nbọ̀ l’ọ́nà
(Open your hands to good fortune)
Man working hard all his life
Doing everything to be justified
But the crooked system mocks and pulls you down
You’re not alone, payback is coming
Woman sowing good seeds in the land
Planting for the present and the future
And your heart is broken by the growing darkness
Put on a smile, reward is here now
Tẹ́wọ́gbare yé o kò ní fò ẹ́
Ẹní nṣiṣẹ́ ṣe b’óun ló yẹ kó j’ọrọ̀ n’ílẹ̀ yí o
(Open your hands to good fortune
Those who toil deserve the wealth of this land)
Brother toiling hard in the sun
Looking to the best for the children
But the questions mount and there are no answers
Relax your mind, payback is coming
Sister with the broken heart
Sadness is the lot of the weary
I know you’ve done your best but no one understands
Wipe off the frown, reward is here now
8. RE-AWAKENING
We’ve been lying in stasis
Failed to do what we ought to do
Spirits dying, voices croaky with disuse
We’ve been deserting our lines
Evil forces riding over us
Break the chains, lead the prisoners into the light
Re-awakening - we’ve got to get up
Rejuvenation - we’ve got to move on
Resuscitate - we’ve got to get up
And move on…
Roll the drums, give me a beat
Blow the horns, set the mood
O ye maidens, raise your voices and sing loud
It’s the day we’ve been waiting for
Father Sun shining up above
Mother Earth warming up to the rhythm of change
9. KEERE O!
Àdan d’oríkodò, ó mí wò ‘ṣe ẹyẹ
Tẹníbẹ́gi ló jù, ṣèb’ígi á rú ‘wé
Ẹ má rò wọ́n pin o, ẹni ò rí ṣe l’òní
Kò s’ẹ́ni t’ó m’ọ̀la o, ìgbẹ̀yìn l’aláyò nta o
Kérè o, ọba ló ní a ki yín
Wọ́n ní ẹ má ṣ’ọ̀lẹ o, ẹ múra sí ‘ṣẹ́ ajé
Kérè o, ìjòyè ṣe yín pẹ̀lẹ́
Wọ́n ní ẹ má ṣ’àfara, ẹ jẹ́ a tún ‘lẹ̀ yí ṣe
Ẹ bá nké sí wọn o, àwọn a fòró ìlú,
Akótilétà l’ọ́pọ̀, ọ̀tá a ṣe bí ọ̀rẹ́
T’ẹ bá f’etí s’ílẹ̀, ṣèbí ‘rọ́ àtọdúnmọ́dún
Òun ni wọ́n nrò l’ọ́bẹ̀, tí wọ́n fi nrùn wá n’ímú
Kérè o, àgbà ló ní a kí yín
Wọ́n ní ẹ má gbà mọ́, k’ọ́mọ àpà tún borí
Kérè o, ará ọ̀run t’àjò dé,
Wọ́n ní a b’áwọ̀n l’ọ́rùn, ka d’òmìnira tòótọ́
Àdan d’oríkodò, ó mí wò ‘ṣe ẹyẹ
Ọ̀rọ̀ yí ndé kùn d’áyà, t’ó bá yá ojú á k’ojú
Kérè o, ọba ló ní a ki yín
Wọ́n ní e má ṣ’àníyàn, ká ṣ’ayé ‘re kó yẹ wá
Kérè o, ará ọ̀run t’àjò dé,
Wọ́n ní ẹ b’ókùn l’ọ́rùn, ka d’òmìnira tòótọ́
(The bat hangs up side down, watching the ways of birds
Pay the logger no heed, the tree will flourish again
Sneer not at those who have fallen behind
The race is far from over.
Harken! The king sends his greetings
Says we should keep working hard to build this economy
Hear, hear, the chiefs send their warm wishes
They say we must act fast, restore the glory of this land
Now, let’s call on them
Those who have brought sorrow upon the land
Betrayers of communal trust,
Enemies under the cloak of gay smiles
If you listen carefully, it is the same platter of ageless lies
That they have come to serve again.
Harken, the elders greet you,
They say, this time, we must resist these prodigals
Hear, hear, ancestral spirits descending
They say we should remove the chains from around our necks
And enjoy true freedom.
The bat hangs up side down, watching the folly of birds
This anger, rising
Soon, it will reach boiling point.)
10. AFI’RE
Ibi orí dá ni sí làá gbé o Akin ọmọ
Ibi a gb’ẹ́sẹ̀ lé nló yẹ k’ẹ́sẹ̀ tọ̀
Ibi orí dá ni sí làá gbé o
Ibi a gb’ẹ́sẹ̀ lé nló yẹ k’ẹ́sẹ̀ tẹ̀
Orí rẹ à fi’re, ẹsẹ̀ wo ‘bi ire gbé o wọ̀ láyé o
Orí rẹ à fi’re, ẹsẹ̀ ibi ire ni o wọ̀, o ò ní ṣì’nà láíláí
O ti já’wé olúborí o, Akin ọmọ
O d’ẹni à jí rí, a dùn-ún wò
O ti já’wé olúborí o, ọmọ àgbà tí nso làákàyè
Lè ṣ’ẹbọ, lè ṣoògùn l’áyé
B’á ṣe w’áyé páá rì́ làá rí o
Ò bá dè lè ṣ’ẹbọ k’o ṣ’ògùn tó gbóná
Iṣẹ́ ọwọ́ ẹni ṣe yen ní gbé ni l’ékè l’áyé
(You flourish where destiny plants you
Legs should always move as directed
You flourish where fate leads you
Feet should always step where the owner wants
May your head guide you to good fortune
May your tread lead you to good places
You’ve made the ranks of the valiant
You’ve become the beloved of the people
Well-groomed soul bearing fruits of wisdom.
Try as we may,
We can only be what we were meant to be
Try as you may
We will eventually be judged by the works of our hands)
11. ADIITU
À ì lè ní sùúrù o, ṣe b’óun ló ndàmú àwa o
Ṣùgbọ́n ẹni tó bá l’áforítì, ó dájú
Òun ni yó d’aṣẹ́gun
Àdììtú layé yìí o, kò s’ẹ́ni tó mà yé o
Ṣùgbọ́n t’a bá nfì’fẹ́ lò pọ̀, ó dájú
Ayé wa yó dùn
T’ó bá yá, ìgbà t’ó bá yá, ará mi o
Èbù ìkà tí a gbìn y’ó s’èso
T’ó bá yá, láìpẹ́ ọjọ́ ọ̀rẹ́ mi o
Ìwà ìbàjẹ yìí o, y’ó mà lẹ́yìn
T’ó bá yá, àní t’ó bá yá ọ̀rẹ́ mi o
Ohun àkólọ o, y’ó da’rí bọ̀
T’ó bá yá, t’a bá nṣ’iṣẹ́ àtúnṣe o
Ìbùgbé ayọ̀ y’ó d’ọ̀tun
Ká rìn ká pọ̀ ní yẹ ni
Ká f’ọwọ so ‘wọ́ pọ̀ k’ó lè da o
Ṣèb’ọ́wọ́ kan ò gb’ẹ́rù d’órí ọ̀rẹ́ mi, ẹ jẹ́ ká jọ ṣe pọ̀
Ìlara pẹ̀lú tẹ̀mbẹ̀lẹ̀kun
Ṣèb’áwọn ná nda ‘lé ọlá rú
Òtítọ́ ni ó gbé wa lékè, ó dá jú
Ẹ jẹ́ ká so ‘wọ́ pọ̀
(Impatience is our bane
But those who persevere will definitely succeed
Life is an insoluble puzzle
But if we commune in love, we shall surely find happiness
In time, the evil we have sown will blossom
In due course, we shall reap the fruits of our waywardness
In time, what has been lost will be restored
In due course, the home of joy will be renewed
There is strength and prominence in numbers
One hand is inadequate to lift a load up on the head
Let us work together to make things better
Bitter jealousy and treachery destroy the bond
Truth, surely, will elevate us
Let us work together)
12. BEYOND THE GRAY
Early morning, in your moment of longing
I’ll be waiting there for you
When the darkness spins a web of worry
I’ll be watching out for you
Burn your heartaches, leave the ashes in the past
Walk the sunlight shinning bright in the sky
Embrace joy
And any moment when your heart is lonesome
I’ll be reaching out for you
When desire lights a fire in the night
Raise your offerings to the goddess of passion
And be still
Cos in a moment, just beyond the gray light
I’ll be standing there before you
And anyday now, when you’ve crossed the river
I’ll be waiting there for you.