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.
© & ℗ 2024 EniObanke
English translations of Yoruba lyrics are in italics beneath each song.
1. SWEET RUMBLE
Full Instrumental
2. WE GO AGAIN
Here we go again
Reaching for the sun
Here we go again
Building castles ’pon the sand
Here we go again
On the shore of glowing hope
Here we go again
On the waves of roaring joy
Locks flashing, mystically grooving - ride on!
Heart pumping, feet stepping - ride on!
Ah, would you ride on!
Here we go again
With a song on our lips
Here we go again
Sweet melodies are us
Here we go again
Making memories for the ages
And here we go again
We’re riders of the rhythm
Eyes giggling, musically popping - ride on!
Arms wiggling, toes twinkling - ride on!
Ah, would you ride on!
Locks flying, majestically moving - ride on!
Soundbending, rhythmriding - ride on!
Ah, would you ride on!
3. ERI OKAN
Ohun gbogbo to fo s’oke, o si nbo wa le
Iyen l’oro ile aye
Ohun're ta m’owo wa se, nni yio sun wa s’ayo
Ire awa ko ni koja
Osise ki s’ofo; ireti le pe l’oju eda
Otito eri okan, se b’oun lo npe wa
Lo npe o, lo npe mi o
O nba wa wi
Wi f'eni to nberu, ko ma se s’iyemeji
Igboya ni t'olubori
So f’awon to nse’paya: duro ko ma ma mi’kan
Aforiti l'opa ogo
Omo'gbon ki foya; ileri ko ni sai se
Otito eri okan, se b’oun lo npe wa
Lo npe o, lo npe mi o
Irinajo omo eda o nla ti loke-nile
Iyen l’oro ile aye
Ohun ire ta fe gbese, ni yio sun wa si’dunnu
Ayo abakale
Osise ki sofo; ireti le pe l’oju eda
Otito eri okan, se b’oun lo npe wa
Lo npe o, lo npe mi o
Everything that goes up must come back down;
That’s how life goes.
Although success may seem long in coming
Our good works will definitely lead us to joy.
Those who labour in honesty do not fail;
Truth, our conscience, speaks to us
To me and to you.
Tell the fearful to have no doubt;
Victory is for those who have courage.
Tell those racked by anxiety to stand firm;
Glory only comes to those who persevere.
The wise ones never panic,
They know their goals will be achieved,
Truth, our conscience, speaks to us
To me and to you.
The journey of Man must have its ups and downs;
That’s just how life goes.
The good we aim to do will lead us to happiness;
True lasting joy.
Those who labour in honesty do not fail;
Truth, our conscience, speaks to us
To me and to you.
4. OLU ODE
Olu Ode nde o - ye nde o!
Eemo wo’lu o, o ko’ni l’oun lo
Jamba ma de o, o nbu rara
Arinka wo’lu o, o mi pe o ni’ja
Oluwa mi ogirigbamugbamugidigba-o-se'la
Baba mi igi agunla s'edi-bebere-s'opon aye
Baba mi imole-taanran-bori-ookun-biri
Asape-asala, o-s'opo-d'ola, so’wofa d'oye
Okitiribiti, ko se mi, ko se yi, a-gbe-ni-gun-la
Ina fuuru jo lor'omi, ko-se-dimu-ko-se-fiile
Baba mi opo-a-lo-mo-ye-a-fo-mo-la
Awo're ti gb'omo l’ojo ewu
Oluwa mi nde!
Olu Ode o ma w’omo re o - o ma w’omo re
Olu Ode o ma w’aya re o - o ma w’aya re
Olu Ode o ma w’eni re o - o ma w’eni re
Arise Olu Ode, please arise
Trouble is rampaging through the city
Calamity is here roaring loud
Pestilence is in town calling you to battle
My lord, the immovable, indestructible rock
Mighty tree of refuge with roots reaching across the earth
Bright, shiny ray of light that dispels all darkness
Deliverer, champion of widows and the underpriviledged
Massive one who lifts us to safety
The unquenchable flame that burns on water
He who can’t be held and yet can’t be let go of
My father, pillar of salvation
The good force that rises to the children’s rescue
Olu Ode, behold you children
Olu Ode, behold your wives
Olu Ode, behold your people
5. A FI NKORIN
Oju re lo pe mi o
Erin re lo fa mi o, mo de
Mo mura ki ntele o de ’bugbe ayo
Jowo ro de mi o, ki nso fun ye mi
Jowo mu mi de be, mo se tan
Yeye mi mo ma nr’ajo
Mo r’oun to wun mi mo di mo
Onitemi adunwo onibugbe ayo
Jowo ro de mi o, ki nso fun ba mi
Jowo gbe mi de be, mo se tan
Oju o i ri oun to dara to ndan ju wura lo
Enu o i ba oun to dara to dun j’oyin lo
Oro o le so bi mo ba ri o bo se nse l’okan mi
A fi nkorin ayo - orin ayo, idunnu
A fi nkorin ayo - orin ayo, orin ife
Oju re lo wun mi
Iwa re lo fa mi o, mo de
Mo gbe’ra ki ntele o de ’bugbe ayo
Jowo ro de mi o, ki nwi f’eni mi
Jowo mu mi de be, mo se tan
Oju o i ri oun to dara to ndan ju wura lo
Enu o i ba oun to dara to dun j’oyin lo
Oro o le so bi mo ba ri o bo se nse l’okan mi
A fi nkorin ayo - orin ayo, idunnu
A fi nkorin ayo - orin ayo, orin ife
Your eyes called to me
Your smile pulled me in and here I am
I’m ready to go with you to your place of joy
Please wait for me; let me inform my mother
Please take me there, I’m ready
Mother, I am going on a journey
I’ve found what I desire and I’m not letting go
My gorgeous darling with a home of joy
Please wait for me; let me inform my father
Please take me with you, I’m ready
Eyes are yet to see anything more valuable than gold
Mouths haven’t tasted anything sweeter than honey
Words cannot express how I feel when I see you
All I can do is sing a song of joy, of happinness, of love
Your eyes attracted me
Your character enticed me
I’m ready to go with you to your place of joy
Please wait for me; let me inform my folks
Please take me there, I’m ready
Eyes are yet to see anything more valuable than gold
Mouths haven’t tasted anything sweeter than honey
Words cannot express how I feel when I see you
All I can do is sing a song of joy, of happinness, of love
6. EGUN NLA
Egun nla ni wa
Sonso ori wa o se gun mo ’le
Atenimole ke so’ra
Kekere la kere
A o se gun mo ’le sonso
Iso nla ni wa
Sonso ori wa o se gun mo ’le
Afojudini ke so’ra
Jeje la duro
A o se gun mo ’le sonso
Aja ode nwoye, won se bo sun
Omode o mo, o nfa ja ni’ru
E wa w’eyin gagara
Kiniun ni bi? Amotekun ni bi?
Tani o duro, tani o duro wo leemeji?
Boolo, boolo o ya mi, boolo
Egbe opuro, aferugbabukun
Won nwo gegere
Won se ba o ri won, won nwo gegere
Agba a dake, a wo’se ode
Ki ma i se ti’beru, ki i se t’aigbon
Alaseju i gb’ebe o, iya ti o je ni nwa kiri
B’e ri wa k’e yo mo wa
K’e mu eti igbo, k’e ko bata ijo
K’e ke si gbogbo ebi at’ore, wa s’agbo idunnu
Onibaje bila, oniwaburuku ronu re ko piwada o
Ronu re ko piwada o
We are big thorns
Oppressors, beware of our sharp ends
Small we may seem,
But we cannot be stepped upon
We are large nails
Belittlers, beware of our sharp ends
Gently we stand
But we cannot be stepped upon
The hunting dog lies down resting
Some folks think he’s asleep
Silly child goes and pulls his tail
Now, see the huge teeth!
Could this be a lion or a leopard?
Who’s going to wait and see about that?
It’s now a race for individual survival
The cult of liars and pretenders
They are everywhere
They think they are invisible
As they crawl everywhere
The elder silently watches the antics of the foolish
It’s not out of fear or lack of wisdom
Those who will perish cannot be saved
Rejoice when you see us
Bring your listening ears, dancing shoes
Invite all friends and family to our happy place
Troublemakers depart from here
Bad characters, reflect and reform your ways
Reform your ways.
7. IF YOU CAN DREAM
If you can dream it, then you can reach it
It’s only a stretch of time away
And I’ll be there riding your way
And if you can see it, in your mind’s eye
You can make it happen when you’re ready
And I’ll be there cheering for you
Well, don’t you feel it, deep in your heart?
One day you will sing a victory song
And I’ll be there dancing with you
There’ll be moments of doubt, worries aplenty
But even when you falter, falling down
I’ll be there coaxing you on
There’ll be stuff in your way, to stop or slow you down
Troubles are the stepping stones to light
I’ll be along to see you shine
Your vision is bright now
Your hands are strong
Give it everything you’ve got this time
The world is ready for you
So don’t let this get you down
It’s only a stumble, oh
Come let’s go we can do more, you will see
There are those who don’t try
Those who give up too soon
Those who never live a little at all
You’ll see them around telling tales
But you’ve got something in you
Something grand
I see it in your smile, your quiet way
You’ve got it all deep inside
Well, you can do it
You can live it
If you can dream, then you can reach it
If you can see it, then you can achieve it
Can you feel it deep in your soul?
Your vision is bright now
Your hands are strong
Well, you can do it
8. TOOTO
Eni ma ba wa se po, iyen a b’ewu ana sonu
A fi’wa tutu s’aso, a mo tooto o
Eni ma ba wa jeun agba, a ko'wa ’baje sonu
A wa fo’wo re, a mo tooto tototo o
Olofofo, egbe awon odaluru
Tembelekun, awo olote o ni’ye
Adanikanje, alainitelorun
Won o ni le ba wa se po
Won o ni le ba wa rin po
Won o ni le ba wa gbe po rara
Eni ma ba wa rin po, iyen a ko’wa ’doti sonu
A gb’ese s’ona rere, a mo tooto o
Eni ma ba wa jeun agba, a ko'wa ’baje sonu
A wa fo’wo re, a mo tooto tototo o
Sotesebi, olopuro obayeje
Fibisewa, awo onibilisi
Alaimora, egbe onimodaru
Won o ni le ba wa se po
Won o ni le ba wa rin po
Won o ni le ba wa gbe po rara
Eni ma ba to po, iyen a fi'wa ete sile
A wa tun’ra re bi o, a mo tooto o
Eni ma ba wa jeun agba, a ko'wa ’baje sonu,
A wa fo’wo re, a mo tooto tototo o
Eni ma ba wa se po, iyen a b’ewu ana sonu
A fi’wa tutu s’aso, a mo tooto o
Eni ma ba wa rin po, iyen a ko’wa ’doti sonu
A gb’ese s’ona rere, a mo tooto o
Eni ma ba to po, iyen a fi'wa ete sile
A wa tun’ra re bi o, a mo tooto o
Eni ma ba wa jeun agba, a ko'wa ’baje sonu,
A wa fo’wo re, a mo tooto tototo o
Those who wish to be with us must reform themselves
Come clean, very clean
Those who wish to join us and dine with the elders
Must depart from their old ways and embrace change
Come clean, very clean
Rumour mongers who create disorder in the community
The corrupt ones, innumerable
The greedy and the selfish
They cannot be with us, walk with us or live with us
These marauders who destroy the society
Who revel in evil and confusion
Who turn their backs on wisdom and enjoy creating chaos
They cannot be with us, walk with us or live with us
Those who wish to be with us must reform themselves
Come clean, very clean
Those who wish to join us and dine with the elders
Must depart from their old ways and embrace change
Come clean, very clean
9. KILENWO?
Oponu omo na fi s’asona
Dadandidin afofun ti o l’ero miran
A fi ka ti jeun gbangba, ka ti ko’le gagara
Ka s’ise ara, ka ma wuga korofo
Baba ki le nwo?
Yeye ki le nwo?
Egbon ki le nwo?
Ore ki le nwo o?
Oponu omo na fi s’atona
Akotileta ti o l’ero miran
A fi ka ti l’owo, ka ti k’oro jo
Ka f’eru gba ’bukun, igbimo iro
Agbagba ki le nwo?
Eyin odo ki le nwo?
Egbon ki le nwo?
Ore ki le nwo?
Oponu omo t’an fi s’olori ni’lu olopuro
Ko le ya ni lenu
B’oju o ba ti won, oju nt’enire
T’ori omo to wo loja, sebi ’yen lo ma ndun ni
Baba ki le nwo?
Yeye ki le nwo?
Egbon ki le nwo?
Ore ki le nwo o?
A simpleton is the one chosen to guard the path
Silly oaf with no thoughts beyond lavish feasts,
Huge mansions, physical pleasures, empty arrogance
Fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters, friends
Where are you? What are you doing?
Trouble looms large
The land is getting scorched
The home is becoming a shell
A simpleton is the one chosen to lead the way
A prodigal with no thoughts beyond material wealth
To cheat, lie and connive to steal
Elders, youth, brothers and sisters, friends
Where are you? What are you doing?
Trouble looms large
The land is getting scorched
The home is becoming a shell
The case of the simpleton who became the leader
In the land of the deceitful is not suprising.
Even if they are not ashamed of their situation,
We are on their behalf, especially when one considers
The fate of the children
Elders, youth, brothers and sisters, friends
Where are you? What are you doing?
Trouble looms large
The land is getting scorched
The home is becoming a shell
10. LONG MEMORIES
Oh the rage!
We're the folks of long memories
And even in the darkest hour, we remain
Embers of the day
Oh the pain!
We’re the folks of long memories
And even when the books are shut, we remain
Records on the rock
Bring the morning, bring the night time
Bring the winter, summer too
We’ll be sailing on the silent wind
Sell the forest, sell the hills
Turn the vultures loose on love
We’ll be riding on the roaring waves
Oh delight!
We’re the folks of long memories
And even when the day is done, we remain
Dots in the sky (shining bright)
Oh rejoice!
All ye folks of long memories
Tortured by your thoughts at night
Just recall: nothing lasts forever (good or bad)
Seal the doorways, lock the windows
Raise the walls and block the path
We’ll be sailing on the silent wind
Burn the forest, crush the hills
Turn the vultures loose on love
We’ll be riding on the roaring waves
Oh delight!
We’re the folks of long memories
Even when our time is done, we remain
Bastions of hope (in the land)
Oh rejoice!
All ye folks of long memories
Tortured by your thoughts at night
Just recall: nothing lasts forever (good or bad)
And even when the books are shut, we remain
Records on the rock
And even in the darkest hour, we remain
Embers of the day
11. ILE NI O WO
T’awon ile ni o wo, ni o wo, ni o wo, k’o to se’un to fe se awe
Awon eletan ore won a ni ko ma se lo, awon nw’eyin re
O ba de wo ti baba, k’o wo ti yeye
Wo t’awon to feran re tokantokan
Mo ni ko ro t’eni re, ro ti t’ola, ro t’ojo atisun to nbo wa o
T’ipile ni o wo, ni o wo, ni o wo, k’o to se’un to fe se awe
Awon egbe modaru won a yin e, won a ma ni asegbe ni t’oni o
O ba de wo tokan re, wo tayo re
Wo tibale okan to wun o o
Mo ni ko ro t’eni re, jowo ko ro ti t’ola, ro t’ojo atisun to nbo wa o
Oju aye nwo e, won nwo e, jowo rora se l’ode awe
Abatenije ore won a tan e, won a ma pe: sebi’wo loga o
O ba de f’ogbon s’egbon, f’ifura lo’gba,
La’na idunnu f’awon to nbo lona
Mo ni ko ro t’eni re, ro ti t’ola, ro t’ojo atisun to nbo wa o
Mo ni ko wo ti baba, jowo k’o wo ti yeye
Wo t’awon to feran re tokantokan
O ba de ro t’eni re, ro ti t’ola, ro t’ojo atisun to nbo wa o
Dear friend,
Take a look back at your roots before you take that step
These deceitful friends will goad you on to do what is wrong
Saying they’ve got your back
But please think of your folks, all those who love you
And also reflect upon your mortality
Dear friend,
Take a look back at your roots before you take that action
This corrupt company will hail you, saying there’s no consequence
But please examine your heart, think of the joy and peace you desire
Consider your folks, all those who love you
And also reflect upon your mortality
The whole world is watching, please be careful out there
These destructive friends will mislead you, saying you are the tops
Please employ wisdom and caution
Build a path of happiness for future wayfarers
Consider your folks, all those who love you
And also reflect upon your mortality
12. SPREADING THOUGHTS
Standing in a sea of spreading thoughts alone
Daydreaming once again, in the bloom of love
Beauty's everywhere, the heart's aglow
A new song has come to stay
But the bells are ringing, calling once again
Golden child it's time to do some chores
Can't a lad have a moment of peace and quiet
Hope I don't sound like I'm asking too much
Sitting in the dark making melodies
Sweet music propping up the soul
Here is everything I'm always longing for
Just to sing and dance for you
But the bells are ringing, calling once again
This is not the way it's meant to be
I should be like a gem hidden from hateful eyes
Hope it doesn’t sound like I'm asking for war?
I've been to the places hidden from the hordes
Listened to the voices of the wise ones
They speak in ancient riddles but you will understand
If you just open up your mind
Rerentoni, rere ni
Gb’ori re s’oke OmoAkin
Rerentola, rere ni
Gb’ori re s’oke OmoAkin
Kiniun i s’egbe ologini
Ajanaku o se digbolu
Taara l’ona oninure
Gb’ori re s’oke OmoAkin - Gb’ori re s’oke o
(This day will be a good day - Yes!
Tomorrow will be good as well - Yes!
Lift up your head scion of the brave
The domestic cat is no match for a lion
The mighty elephant is not to be trifled with
The path of the kindhearted is always clear
Lift up your head)
Standing in a sea of glowing fireflies
Everything so bright, every breath so light
Every new day I do something grand
Now I know the path is clear
Your song is all I need to get me on my way
A moment in the warm embrace of joy
Twirling to the sounds and rhythms of sweet relief
Hope I don't sound like I'm asking too much
Oh the bells are ringing, calling once again
Golden child it's time for you to shine
The floor is yours and you can be all you want
I think I might just float away
13. SESENSESE
Gbogbo ero ti ngo ro loni rere ni o - rere ni o, rere
Gbogbo oro ti ngo fo loni, ye, rere ni o - rere ni, rere ni
Rere loko, lodo, loke, nile, lojo gbogbo
Ohun gbogbo ti ngo se loni rere ni o - rere ni o, rere
Gbogbo irin ti ngo rin loni, ye, rere ni o - rere ni, rere ni
Rere ni’bere ni’dubule, ni’dide ni’joko, lojo gbogbo
Rere loko, lodo, loke nile, lojo gbogbo
Ohun gbogbo ti mo wo loni rere ni o - rere ni o, rere
Ibi gbogbo ti mo te loni, ye, rere ni o - rere ni, rere ni
Rere niyewu, nigbagede, lowuro, lale, lojo gbogbo
Ohun gbogbo ti mo ba dimu rere ni o - rere ni o, rere
Gbogbo ibi ti mo gb’ese le, ye, rere ni o - rere ni, rere ni
Rere lotun losi, loko, lodo, lojo gbogbo
Rere ni’bere ni’dubule, ni’dide, ni’joko, lojo gbogbo
A sese bere ayo ni o - sesensese!
A sese bere adun ni o - sesensese!
Ire otun lo wole o - sesensese!
Alafia gbe pelu awa - sesensese!
Baleokan l’ogun awa - sesensese!
Aikubaale oro - sesensese!
A sese bere igbadun ni o!
All my thoughts today will be pure - good and pure
All my words today will be pure - good and pure
Goodness at home and abroad, goodness every day.
All the works of my hand today will be good - good and pure
Wherever I walk to day, pure goodness - good and pure
Goodness in any situation, goodness every day.
Everything I look at today will be good - good and pure
Every place I step upon will be good - good and pure
Goodness inside and outside, day and night, every day.
Whatever I lay my hand upon today will be good - good and pure
Everywhere I go to today, only goodness - good and pure
Goodness at home and abroad, goodness every day.
This is only the beginning of a great time
A time of joy, plenty and peace
This is just the beginning of our happiness
14. YOU’RE HOME
In the world of the dreamer
Everything is always fine and dandy
But the realist knows
The wheels of change do turn
But ever so slowly
To the mind of a fatalist
The sky is always falling down
The practicalist knows
Things do change
But ever so slowly
So, would you stay?
Would you stay with me?
Would you stay with me tonight?
Early in the morning
You will hear the soft wind blowing
And the voices breathing gently in your ears:
You’re home
Some may choose to brood
Upon the darkness in the world
I prefer to embrace the light
And walk hand in hand with you
So, would you stay?
Would you stay with me?
Would you stay with me tonight?
15. LEGELEGE
L’ojo yen l’agbo o - l’agbo ajodun
Won nte’le pelu igboya - bi onile
Won nfi t’erin t’ayo se po o - l’agbo idunnu
Won o ba’ra won ja ra rara - rara o
Wo won b’on se njo o e
Wo won b’on se nko’rin ayo
Wo won b’on se ngb’ese jeje
Awon omo amilegelege
Awon omo alajodun de o
Eni ba won pe jo o - l’agbo ajodun
Ko le sa i jo’jo yen o - ijo alayo
Omode ma nbe nibe o - awon agba pelu
Gbogbo won nse pele o - jeje
Wo won b’on se njo o e
Wo won b’on se nko’rin ayo
Wo won b’on se ngb’ese jeje
Awon omo amilegelege
Awon omo alajodun de o
At the festival the other day
You could see them moving with confidence
Sharing joy and laughter, no rancour at all
Watch as they dance gleefully
Watch as they sing joyfully
Watch as they step gingerly
They are here, gently swaying
They are here, the celebrants
Anyone at this gathering
Cannot but get caught up in the vibe
Children are there, adults too
And they are all taking it easy, very easy
Watch as they dance gleefully
Watch as they sing joyfully
Watch as they step gingerly
They are here, gently swaying
They are here, the celebrants