KÌLỌ̀KÌLỌ̀

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. © & ℗ 2007 EniObanke
 


 

1. BROTHER IN ARMS (ISẸ MBẸ) 
Darkness falls in your heart 
Can’t get up, can’t stay down 
You think this must be the end of the line 
But I’m here by your side, holding on, holding tight 
Come on friend, let’s move on to a higher place 

Jẹ́ á lọ o, ọmọ Akin ìí ṣ’ojo 

Seb’ólùborí ni wá, a ó borí dandan o 

Má ṣe sùn, má ṣe rẹ̀wẹ̀sì, má siyèméjì rárá 

Má ṣe fòyà, má ṣe bẹ̀rù, má ṣe fà sẹ́yìn rárá 

Iṣẹ́ nbẹ o! 

Jẹ́ á lọ, jẹ́ á lọ, jẹ́ á lọ 
(Let’s go, scion of the brave 
We were meant to overcome and we will 
Be strong, eschew doubt and fear 
Duty calls!) 

Sitting here on your bed talking of struggles gone 
And the many dreams we cannot achieve 
Painful scars and near-misses 
But we’ve gone way too far 
To be thinking of turning the other way 
Let’s go, scion of the brave… 

So when you feel the pain will take you down 
And you can’t go on 
Remember here I am your jolly brother in arms 
No matter what may come 
We’ll shake the world just like we said 
Come on friend, let’s move on… 

2. KILỌKILỌ 

Ẹ ò ri bí wọ́n ṣe nṣe wá o màmá 

Ìfẹ́ d’omi ọ̀rẹ́ ndani, a ò r’ẹ́ni àá f’ọ̀rọ̀ lọ̀ 

Àbí ẹ ò ri bí wọ́n ṣe nṣe wá o bàbá 

Ayé d’oun à bá mọ̀ à bá tí wá 

(Do you see as they maltreat us, 
Surely you must feel this injustice? 
Life has become a tale of regret)

Ọ̀dọ̀ yín o là nbọ̀ wá ṣ’ẹ gbọ́ 

Àgbà ọlọ́gbọ́n o tó m’òye àsìkò 

Ọ̀rọ̀ ò lópin ó ti wá nd’àwí sunkún 

Ọ̀jẹ̀ĺú npọ si, olóòtító ṣ’ọ̀wọ́n o 

Kìlọ̀kìlọ̀ ẹ lọ bá wa kìlọ̀ fún wọn yé o 

A ti sọ̀rọ̀ sọ̀rọ̀ a d’òpònú ajá tí ngbó m’áfẹ́fẹ́ 

Ṣèb’aditi ni wọ́n, ọmọ a f’èpè ṣ’aṣọ 

Kìlọ̀kìlọ̀ ẹ lọ bá wọn sọ̀rọ̀
 

Mo ṣe b’ẹ́yin lẹ ní ilẹ̀ ò ní le gb’òṣìkà o 

Ẹ l’ẹ́ni bá ṣe ní ó jẹ 

Ẹni nṣiṣẹ́ ìyẹn ò r’óúnjẹ jẹ kánú 

Olópùrọ́ njayé ọba 

Àbí ẹ ò rí bí wọ́n ṣe nṣe wá o màmá 

Ìfẹ́ d’omi ọ̀rẹ́ ndani, a ò r’ẹ́ni àá f’ọ̀rọ̀ lọ̀ 

Ẹ nwòran ni bí wọ́n ṣe nṣayé o bàbá 

Ayé d’oun à bá mọ̀ à bá tí wá 

Mo ṣe b’ẹ́yin lẹ ní ilẹ̀ ò ní le gb’òṣìkà o 

Ẹ l’ẹ́ni bá ṣe ní ó jẹ 

Mo ṣe b’ẹ́yin lẹ ní ọ̀bàyéjẹ́ ò ní ṣeé gbé 

Ọjọ́ lọ tán a ò mà r’ẹ́san
 

Kìlọ̀kìlọ̀ ẹ lọ bá wa kìlọ̀ fún wọn yé o 

A ti sọ̀rọ̀ sọ̀rọ̀ a d’òpònú ajá tí ngbó m’átẹ́gùn 

Ṣèb’aditi ni wọ́n, ọmọ a f’èpè bo’ra 

Kìlọ̀kìlọ̀ ẹ lọ bá wọn sọ̀rọ̀ 

Yeye Kìlọ̀kìlọ̀ ẹ bá wa bá wọn sọ̀rọ̀ 

(We have come to you wise ones, 
Masters of time, knowers of riddles 
Our lament has become a river of tears 
Bad leaders multiply and fraud is a way of life 
Would you please go ahead and chastise them? 
All our pleading has fallen on deaf ears 
But was it not you who said hard work 
Is the key to success and the patient one laughs last? 
So how come the evil flourish? 
Time drags on and still no sign of retribution) 

3. WA BU’RA 

Àbúrò, ọjọ́ tí à nsọ yìí mà ti ṣe díẹ̀ náà 

Mo ṣẹ̀ṣẹ̀ bẹ̀rẹ̀ iṣé nígbànáà ni 

Ìrọ̀lẹ́ ọjọ́ tí à nwí yìí, nṣe la jòkó tí à nsimi 

L’ọ̀rẹ́ mi Lákúnlé bá ní njẹ́ á lọ s’óde ijó 

Èmi náà bá k’áṣo wọ̀, ó d’ọ̀ún.
 

Ká má ì tíì wọlé báyì, ni mo bá rí ọmọge arẹwà yìí 

Nṣe ló dà bí ẹni wípé nkankan fa ojú mi síị 

Nígbàtí à nwí yìí ngò ní ìgboyà púpọ̀ 

Sùgbọ́n mo ṣáà rìn lọ báa 

Mo ní, “Jọ̀wọ́ kí l’orúko rẹ?” Ó ní, “Àmọ̀kẹ́” 

Mo ní, “Ha, Àmọ̀kẹ́ arẹwà ọmọge, jọ̀wọ́ njẹ́ mo le bá ọ jó?” 

Ló bá na’wọ́ pé ó yá, la bá bọ́ s’ójú agbo. 

Oh eh, oh eh, àgbà wá bú’ra b’éwe ò ṣe ẹ́ rí 

(This story goes way way back, 

Just after I secured my first job 

One evening after work, 

My friend Lakunle suggested we should go to a dance. 

On getting there, I glimpsed this beautiful lady 

And was smitten instantly 

I was a very bashful young man 

But I summoned up courage and approached her 

I asked for her name and she told me “Amoke” 

“Gorgeous Amoke”, I said, “can I dance with you? 

She stretched forth her hand and we took the floor. 

Swear, old one, that you never did the things of youth)


Àmọ̀kẹ́ mọ̀ọ́ jó o, ọmọdé yìí òkòtó ni 

Ṣùgbọ́n èmi náà ngò kẹ̀rẹ̀ 

Bó bá fàá sí ìhín, èmi náà a fàá sí ọ̀hún 

Bó bá rè’dí kere, èmi náà a jupá, ma jusẹ̀ 

Bó bá tún ìró ró, èmi náà a tún agbádá mi fà 

Ló bá di wípé gbogbo ènìyàn pa’gbo fún wa 

A jó jó jó, oòǵùn bò wá bí ẹni òjò ká m’ónà oko 

Nígbòóyá ó rẹ̀ mí, mo fa Àmọ̀kẹ́ mọ́ra mo dì mọ 

Gbogbo ènìyàn bẹ̀rẹ̀ sí pa àtẹ́wọ́ 

Pẹ̀lú ìmí díẹ̀ tó kù nínú mi 

Mo ní, “Àmọ̀kẹ́, mo fẹ́ràn rẹ lọ́pọ̀lọpọ̀” 

Kò wulẹ̀ dáhùn, nṣe ló rẹ̀rín músẹ́ 

Ha, àbúrò ọjọ́ nlá l’ọjọ́ tá nwí yìí 

(Amoke could dance! But I kept pace with her. 

Step for step, move for move 

And very soon the floor was left to us 

We danced so much our clothes got soaked in sweat 

Eventually, I pulled Amoke to me and hugged her 

We got a standing ovation from the audience 

With the little breath left in me, I whispered, 

“Amoke, I like you a lot” 

A gentle smile was the only response I got 

Ha, what a day that was!) 


Ọ̀rọ tí à nsọ yìí mà ti ṣe díẹ̀ náà 

Ó fẹ́ẹ̀ tó ogójì ọdún báyì o 

Ha-ha, o la’nu sílẹ̀ ni 

Ọjọ́ ọmọ ènìyàn bí ìṣẹ́jú báyì ni 

Òun ló fi yẹ kí ènìyàn lo àsìkò rẹ̀ ní ìlò tó dára 

Ṣ’ó wa rí o àwọn kan á ní 

Ìyàwó táa fẹ́ l’òde ijó ẹ̀yìn àrò níí sùn 

Irọ́ pátah gbáà ni ní tèmi àt’Àmọ̀kẹ́ 

Bí o bá wọ inú ọ̀ọ̀dẹ̀ nbèun, 

Àmọ̀kẹ́ nbẹ níbẹ̀ tó nbá àwọn ọmọ ọmọ wa ṣeré 

Oò ri, láti ijọ́ tí mo ti pàdé ọmọdé yìí 

Ìbùkún àti ohun ayọ̀ ló jẹ́ fún mi 

Ṣùgbọ́n lẹ́ẹ̀kànkan tí nkan ò bá f’ara rọ 

Àmọ̀kẹ́ á fà mí, á ní 

“Olówó-orí-mi e jẹ́ a tún ijó wa yìí jó lẹ́ẹ̀kan si” 

Ọ̀tọ̀ ni t’ewú o àbúrò, bó bá kan ti’jó ngó là ọ́ 

Àmọ̀kẹ́ o! 

Oh eh, oh eh, àgbà wá bú’ra b’éwe ò ṣe ẹ́ rí 

(Well, this is all in the past, almost 40 years now 

Ha, you look surprised! 

Life passes very swiftly my friend 

That is why one must never joke with one’s time 
Some folks would say a relationship 
Born in a dancehall is bound for the dump 
That hasn’t happened in our case 
Still going strong after all these years. 
Forget the grey hair young man, 
When it comes to dancing, we can still outdo the likes of you 
Here, let me call her… Àmọ̀kẹ́ o!) 

4. JẸ JẸ JẸ 

Mo nlọ jẹ́ jẹ́ jẹ́, mo nlọ tèmi 

Ngò mà bẹ́’nìkan jà rárá 

Ṣeb’íre ni mò nbá kiri 

Mo nlọ jẹ́ jẹ́ jẹ́, mo nlọ tèmi 

Ngò mà wá wàhálà rárá 

Kó lè da ni mò nbá kiri àgbàgbà 

Yíó sì da o 

Yíó sì da, àìríná á d’oun ìtàn 

Yíó sì da, àìríjẹ á d’ọrọ̀ 

Yíó sì da, à l’ẹ́rú á dọmọ 


Ka má ṣìṣe o, 

Ka má yànkú o 

K’íre wọ ‘lé wa 

K’áboyún ilé máa bí tibitire 

K’áwọn àgàn máa t’ọwọ́ b’osùn 

K’íre wọ ‘lé, k’áyọ̀ bò lú 

Yé, a mà ngbàdúrà o 

Wá gbọ o, bàbá olóore o 

Wá f’ọwọ́ wa s’ókè 


Sùúrù ṣe bóun lọ̀rọ̀ yí ó gbà 

Àtì ‘gbóyà ká máa ṣe páyà rárá 

Sùúrù ṣe bóun lọ̀rọ̀ yí ó gbà 

A ó sì tún ṣeun rere o lọ́jọ́ ayé wa 

Sùúrù ṣe bóun lọ̀rọ̀ yí ó gbà 

Àtì ‘gbóyà ká máa bá ‘ra ẹni s’òtítọ́ 

Sùúrù ṣe bóun lọ̀rọ̀ yí ó gbà 

A ó sì tún j’ọrọ̀ nílẹ̀ yí ò bópẹ́bóyá 


Ìlù ré o, ẹ jó ẹ yọ̀, ọmọ onílù dé a bá ẹ yọ̀ 

Ìlù ré o, ẹ jó ẹ yọ̀, ẹni nṣe ‘náwó a bá ẹ yọ̀ 

Ìlù ré o, ẹ jó ẹ yọ̀, ọlọ́jọ́ìbí a mà bá ẹ yọ̀ 

Ìlù ré o, ẹ jó ẹ yọ̀, ẹni nṣè’dúpẹ́ a mà bá ẹ yọ̀ 

Ìlù ré o, ẹ jó ẹ yọ̀, ẹni nṣe’unẹ̀yẹ, a mà bá ẹ yọ̀ 

(Going my own way, not looking for trouble 
Going my way, working for the good of all 
And it will be well, mother? 
Yes it will… 

May the blessings of this earth be ours 
May our days be long 
May our fertile wombs bear good fortune 
Hear our plea, lift us high 

The good times will return 
But we must be patient, we must be brave 
And tell ourselves the truth 
And it will be well, mother? 
Yes it will be well 

The music is here, rejoice and dance 

We are here to celebrate your special occasion)
 

5. K’A JỌ MA ṢE PỌ 

Ọ̀rẹ́ wá, ojú ọ̀run kò yé wa 

Níbo la ó gbà t’a ó fi dẹ́kun ìròbìnújẹ́ o 

Òkùnkùn sú o, kò s’ẹ́ni tí ó gbà wá o 

Olólùfẹ́ o, fà mí mọ́ra kí ‘dẹ̀ra wọ’lé 

Ká jọ máa gbé pọ̀ ló lè da o 

Bí ‘re bá wọ’lé ayọ̀ ni yíò pín kárí o 

Ojú ọ̀run tó ṣú òjò ni ó fi rọ̀ 

Sèbí ká jọ máa gbé pọ̀ ló lè da o 

Jọ̀wọ́ yé o, tẹ̀lé mi kálọ 

Jọ̀wọ́ jẹ́ á jọ máa gbé pọ̀ 

Ilé ọlá ni ilé mi, ilé aláyọ̀ 

Jọ̀wọ́ jẹ́ á jọ máa gbé pọ̀ 

(Come friend, these omens are confusing 
How do we rise beyond this wall of depression? 
Who will deliver us from the suffocating darkness? 
Darling, hold me tight and let in some comfort 

It would be great if we lived together 

When goodness lands, it spreads joy around 

This darkening sky only portends rain 

It would be great if we lived together 

Please come with me, 
My home is a haven of wealth and happiness 

Let us move in together) 

Ìgbà ọ̀tun dé, mo r’óun tó dùn mó mi 

Sèb’ónísùúrù ní jẹ dídùn omi inú àgbọn 

Ìfòyà kò sí o, ọkàn mi rọ̀ mọ́ ìfẹ́ rẹ 

Ìfọwósowọ́pọ̀ la ó fi rẹ́hìn ọ̀bàlújẹ́ o 

Ká jọ máa rìn pọ̀ ló lè da o… 

(A new dawn is here, I have found a place of comfort 
I glow in courage inspired by the certainty of your love 
In unity, with kindred spirits, shall we uproot all wickedness 
And overcome these bad leaders 

It would be good if we walked together…) 

I’m living like a king 
But you know you are the ruler of my heart 
I’m reaching for the stars 
But your love is in my heart 
Shining so bright!
 

6. PRAYERS FOR YOU 

Àwọn àgbàgbà ló ní a kí yín o (àwọn màmá ló ní a kí yín o) 

Àwọn ìyá ló ní a kí yín o (àwọn àgbàgbà ló ní a kí yín o) 

Wọ́n ní ẹ lówó ẹ bímọ o, bẹ ṣòwò ẹ jèrè o 

Àwọn amòye ló ní a kí yín o (bàbá ló ní a kí yín o) 

Àwọn bàbá ló ní a kí yín o (àwọn ọ̀jọ̀gbọ́n ló ní a kí yín o) 

Wọ́n ní ilé yín oyin ni o, ayọ̀ pẹ̀lú ìdẹ̀ra o 

Ọmọdé ìlú ló ní a kí yín o (ọ̀jẹ̀ wẹ́wẹ́ ló ní a kí yín o) 

Àwọn ọ̀dọ́ ló ní a kí yín o (àwọn ọmọdé ló ní a kí yín o) 

Wọ́n ní ẹ bí takọtabo o, ẹ ò ní ṣòfò ọmọ o 
(We bring you greetings from the elders; 

The good wishes of the mothers 

May you be blessed with wealth and children 

And may your businesses prosper. 

We bring you greetings from the wise ones; 

The good wishes of the fathers 

May your homes be filled with sweetness, joy and well-being. 

We bring you greetings from the young ones- 

The children and the youth 

May your wombs yield both male and female, 

May you not suffer the loss of a child.) 

I’m saying prayers for you, my people 
That if you walk, may you not stumble 
And if you stumble, may you not fall 
If you fall, may you be able to rise up 
And if you can’t, may there be someone to help you up 
If there’s no one, may you have music 
If there’s no music, remember my love is with you 
I’m saying prayers for you 

Ó Olódùmarè ore tóo ṣe fún wa 

A jó a ndunú a yọ̀ ṣẹ̀ṣẹ̀ 

Ọjọ́ òní, ọjọ́ ẹ̀yẹ tóo fi fún wa 

A yọ̀, a p’ólóore ṣeun, a yọ̀ adániwáyé ṣeun 

(We thank you Olodumare for the blessings we have received 

We are joyful and dance in celebration 

For this day of glory you have given us 

We rejoice and say, “Thank you”)
 

7. EVERYWHERE YOU ARE 

Maà gbọ̀n, aya wa máa gbọ̀n 

Maà gbọ̀n, máa gbọ̀n, arẹwà máa gbọ̀n 

Bóo ṣe ngbọ̀n yẹn ṣèb’óun lò npogún 

Gbígbọ̀n yẹn òun lo fi npọgbọ̀n 

Ẹgbẹ̀rún subú lọ̀tún, ẹgbẹgbẹ̀rún foríbalẹ̀ lósì 

Maà gbọ̀n, máa gbọ̀n, arẹwà máa gbọ̀n 

(Shake, our wife, shake 

Sway, beautiful one, sway 
Your moves hypnotize tens of thousands 
Your gyrations transfix hundreds of thousands 
Vibrate pretty maiden, vibrate) 

You were the one 
Who pulled me up and gave me strength 
Though I’m alone, I know you are always with me 
Wherever you go 
My heart will never leave you lady 
I’m everywhere you are 

Evil men tempt me 
In their eyes I see no love 
But I’ll be strong just for you 
I will not be moved 
Time and time and time again 
I’m in a place I don’t want to be 
And a weakness comes over me 
But your words keep me going on 

A man who has nothing to die for has no reason to live 
And when you are giving out nothing 
You shouldn’t expect any return 
I stand firm; I will not be bought, I am not a slave 
I stand firm; I am like a rock, I am so strong 
I will not be moved!
 

8. EVERYBODY KNOWS 
Here we come Mr. Magicman 
Tell us the future, show us the way 
Here we come for another trip 
“Anyone for miracles?” 
Of course everybody knows it’s all lies 

When you come with tales of loss 
Try to tell the people what’s not 
Think you can get away with silly lies 
Everyone is on to you 
And everybody’s got your game 
So when you think you’re fooling us 
You’re only fooling yourself 
Of course everybody knows it’s all lies 

So come, brother give it up, give it up 
It’s time to make a change 
Come, sister live it up, live it up 
We must be strong, very strong 
So come, brother give it up, give it up 
Before it’s too late for you 
Come, sister live it up, live it up 
There must be a better way 
You have been living a life of abandon 
You have been robbing and stealing from the poor 
You’re like a naked fool running on the street 
It’s time to seek the path of love 

This is the beginning of change 
Time our master has come to judgment 
And these destroyers will be paid back in full 
Those who make my people cry in pain 
This is the beginning of change 
See the multitudes bursting out in joy 
Our dance of victory just around the corner 
A new season of happiness is here 

9. MAMA BENDEL 
I still remember the old days 
When I was young and in school 
My mind will wander to when I was so confused 
And I was never sure of whom I was 
I was living far away from home 
I missed my family and my friends 
But out of the gloom there was a woman 
Who kept us laughing into the deeps of the night 
And we called her Mama Bendel 
To her we went for our meals 
She made amala the way I liked it 
Mama Bendel - she was always there 
She put the shine in my dull days 

She knew how to make a stone laugh 
She knew how to lift my dark clouds away 
She told me stories of how she grew up 
As a young girl in a village far away 
She painted a world of happiness 
And taught me the things mother forgot to teach 
She talked about love and pain 
And what you must do to keep your head 
Up above the storms of life 
She was Mama Bendel 
She would sing and dance to soothe my young soul 
Mama Bendel - Honest and true 
She was the queen in my little world 

Now Mama Bendel is gone away 
She died in her sleep a few years ago 
They said just before she left 
She gave everyone a smile and said 
“I’ll be seeing you very soon” 

10. DOWN THE STREET 
I was going down the street one day 
I saw this little girl by the roadside 
She was sitting on the floor, crying in her hands 
What could make a little one so sad? 
So I stood a moment by her side 
And I tried to clean away her tears 
Baby cry no more, wipe away your tears 
Tell me what is on your mind 
And she said, “Where is Papa gone? 
Where is Mama gone? 
Where is Rori gone my friend? 
Where’s my brother gone? Everybody’s gone” 
The little baby cried and cried 

So I cleaned away all her tears 
Shared a joke and then let her talk 
In her little child voice she told a story 
Now I’m the one who’s shedding tears 

11. MY MOTHER’S FATTER THAN YOURS 
People’ll say anything they like 
And they’ll do whatever they want 
People’ll say anything to make you feel small 
My child is better than yours 
My brother’s stronger than yours 
My sister’s prettier than yours 
And I am richer than your whole family 
My house is bigger than yours 
My father’s taller than yours 
My mother’s fatter than yours 
And we are richer than your whole family 

Dem go dey talk say if you no hustle, you no fit make am o 

But if you hustle so much you enter trouble 

Wahala don come be that 

You don forget say na we people talk am 

“Ọ̀nà kan ò wọ’jà” 

You must remember our people yarn am so, 

No be one road lead to market 

So get up on your feet, do your own thing 

No dey follow dem like mumu 

Come on now, get up on your feet, 

Follow your own dreams, do your own thing 

Má ṣe báwọn sáré eléré ọ̀rẹ́ mi o 

Àsìkò ọ̀tọ̀-ọ̀tọ̀ mà ni‘lé ayé 

Ẹnìkan nwáyé òun l’ẹnìkan nsùn 

Onísùúrù ní jadùn oyin 

Má ṣe báwọn sáré eléré ọ̀rẹ́ mi o 

Àsìkò ọ̀tọ̀-ọ̀tọ̀ mà ni‘lé ayé 

Òs̀upá njí nbóun lòòrùn í wọ̀ 

Onísùúrù ní jadùn oyin 

(Don’t run someone else’s race 
There is a different season for everyone 

Some awaken when others go to rest 
As the moon rises does the sun set 
Only the patient will reap the bounty of life) 

12. TO SEE THE SUN 
I like to see the sun shining out from your eyes 
I like to feel your love like the rain falling down 
Something in the air when you do the things you do 
You’ve got the magic wand and I’m a slave to your rhythm 
Sun, sun shining up, out from your eyes 
Rain, rain here we go, spirit is alive you feel it 
Moving like a leaf dancing in the wind 
Set your water free, I really want to flow with you 

Ijó rẹ wùn wá o òrékelẹ́wà ẹlẹ́ẹ̀rín-ẹ̀yẹ ìwọ là nbá wí 

Ìbàdí àrán o, ijó rẹ o lo fí ndá wa lọ́rùn 

Ìwà rẹ wùn wá o, alóyinlóhùn, oníwàtútù ìwọ là nké sí 

Ìbàdí àrán o, ijó rẹ o lo fí ndá wa lọ́rùn 

(We love the way you move 
Radiant beauty with the beguiling smile 

Queen of elegance, your dance has endeared you to us 

We love your beautiful ways 

Sonorous songbird, it is you we’re hailing 

Queen of elegance, your dance has us hooked) 

Get your shoes on, it’s time to dance 
Get your moves on, it’s time to party 
Move you waist from right to left 
Get your shoes on, it’s time!

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