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. (English translation in italics). © & ℗ 2012 EniObanke
1. iMỌREMI
Iye mà í p’èdè mo gbọ́, iye mà í s’ọ̀rọ̀ mo tẹ́’tí
Ó wí, “Ọmọ mi o tí mo bí, mo fi s’ílẹ̀ fún yín,
Ọmọ kan o ti mo bi, ka gbe ru’bo k’aye le toro
Omo mi o tí mo fẹ́, Olúorogbo d’òrìṣà ká’yé
Iye mà í p’èdè mo gbọ́, iye mà í s’ọ̀rọ̀ mo tẹ́’tí
Ìyá mọ̀ mọ̀ rọ̀ wá o,
Abiyamọ rọ̀ wá o,
iMọ́remí ro wa o
Olúorogbo d’àgbà d’ogbó
Olúorogbo d’òrìṣà ká’yé
(Our Mother calls and I hearken
Our Mother talks and I listen attentively
She says:
The child that I begat, I gave up for you
My one and only child, sacrificed that the world may know peace
My beloved son, Oluorogbo, ascends into immortality
Descend, mother, descend;
Descend, iMoremi, descend
Oluorogbo lives forever
Oluorogbo has become a deity)
2. NIGHTIME IN AFRICA
Don’t know when the moment’s going to come
They say it’s getting nearer, soon coming
Don’t know if the sky is going to fall
In flaming red on Monday
Doesn’t matter who you are
When you are dancing with me
Don’t have all the answers to the riddles
Just stay in motion, keep going
Don’t know what the morning will deliver
But this very moment I’m feeling truly, really good
Doesn’t matter where you’ve been
When you’re dancing with me
It’s nighttime in Africa, we’re cruising again
It’s nighttime in Africa, we’re rolling again
It’s nighttime in Africa, we’re grooving again
It’s nighttime in Africa, we’re sailing again
Ẹ̀yin t’ẹ́̀ ngb’éré wa, ẹ̀yin t’ẹ́̀ ngb’ọ́lù wa o
Lát’òkèrel n’ísàlẹ̀, látì sàlẹ̀ nítòsí o
Ẹ jẹ́ kórin wọ ‘lé ọgbọ́n, ẹ jẹ́ k’íjó òní lárinrin
(Folks listening to this music from far and near,
Open your minds to the songs,
Let today’s dance be memorable)
3. ORIOJORI (ETERNAL SPIRITS)
Máa gbọ́ o, oríòjorí ọ̀rẹ́ mi
Ẹní ro tiwa n’íbi ò ṣe nkan o
Orí ara rẹ̀ ni ó fi ko
Máa gbọ́ o, ilé ayé à f’ọwọ bà fiílẹ̀ ni
Oníkálukú l’ó mà bá tirẹ̀ wá o
Iṣẹ́ orí rán wa l’àwa nṣe
(Listen friend, we are not in the same race
I’m just doing my own thing
Only obeying my instincts and talent
Competition is a waste of time)
I am the sun, I am the rain
I am the wind blowing good your way
I shine the light for the one who lives in darkness
And even if they come to take me out
A thousand more will take my place
We are eternal, eternal spirits
I stand up strong against the forces of evil
Speak the truth, I will not be bought
I sing aloud of the ancestors’ wisdom
And even if they try to cut me down
A million more will take my place
We are eternal, eternal spirits
4. MASTERS OF THE EARTH
Some people think they own everything in the world
And they can rob and cheat and be strong but they are wrong
Some people say we can shout and fight all we want
They will always have their way and be gone
Àrà yé! Ọjọ́ mà í bọ̀
Gbanigbani, ṣé ‘yẹn ò ní lè gba’ni
Gbọmọgbọmọ, ìyẹn ò ní lè gb’ọmọ mọ́
Babasàlẹ̀, ṣé ‘yẹn ò ní lè fọ’hùn
Ọmọ ènìyàn ṣè ‘rántí ọjọ́ àtisùn f’ẹ̀sọ̀ ṣ’ayé
(Yes, that day will surely come
When the saviour will be absent
And the deliverer will be impotent
The godfather, he will be silent
We are mere mortals, take life easy)
Some people live as if they’ll be here forever
And they will always be the masters of the earth
Someday will come when even the most powerful man
Will fall on his knees and cry like a baby
5. ARARỌMI
Mo r’óhun tó wùn mí, arárọ̀mí
Ẹlẹ́yinjú ẹgẹ́, onítèmi, arẹwà
Ìgbàmíràn t’ó rẹ̀ mí o, t’ó fẹ́ sú mi yé o
Ma ṣe ‘rántí ẹ̀rín rẹ, ma tú’ra ká o
Mo mà r’óhun tó wùn mí o, arádẹ̀mí
Afẹ̀rínpanáọ̀tẹ̀, ọlọ́rọ̀ mi ọmọ ọlà
Ìgbàmíràn t’ó rẹ̀ mí o, t’ó fẹ́ sú mi
Ma rántí àwọn ọ̀rọ̀ rẹ, ma tún ‘ra mú o
Wá’lé, wá’lé olólùfẹ́ jọ̀wọ́ o
Dúró, ká jọ máa lò’gbà yì́ o
Wá’lé, wá’lé aládùnní baby o
Dúró, ká jọ máa lò’gbà yì́ o
Ní’lé ọlá, ní’lé aládùn
(Here is all I desire, I am comforted
My beautiful one with delicate eyes
In my low moments, I recall your smile
And I am inspired.
Here is all I desire, I am satisfied
My darling, peacemaker and wealth-builder
In my moments of weakness
I recall your words and I am strengthened.
Return, beloved, please return home
Stay and share these times with me
Return, my precious, please return home
Stay and share these times with me
In our home of treasure and joy)
6. FARABALẸ
You will never walk alone
I’m always with you my friend
On the road to heartbreak now, moving too fast
Basking in the morning sun, reaching for happiness
On the road to renewal now
We’re getting real strong - Keep your head up!
F’arabale - ye rora se - ololufe mi f’arabale
Oro ile aye, sebi suuru l’o gba
(Stay calm - take it easy - beloved, stay calm
Life requires patience)
There’ll be many days like this when the going gets too tough
Darkness and endless pain but it won’t last
We leave a trail of happiness
We are the lucky ones my friend
On the road to redemption now
We’re getting real strong - Keep your head up!
Even when the road is rough
Brother, even when the tide is high
Even on a stormy day
Keep your head up!
7. ẸNIỌBANKẸ GANGAN
Eléré ọba dé, ẹ p’ọ̀dọ́ ẹ p’àgbà pé’ré yá o
Onílù ayọ̀ ré, ẹ pa’gbo àríyá, ijó yá o
Ikú ò ní p’ọmọ rẹ, àrùn ò ní ṣe yín o
Ọjọ́ òní l’ayọ̀ rẹ bẹ̀rẹ̀, tú’jú ká ọ̀rẹ́ o
Bẹ̀rẹ̀ máa jó, dìde máa jó, nàró ḿaa jó
Onítèmi àtàtà, ẸniỌbánkẹ́ gangan
F’ẹ̀sọ̀ máa jó o jàre, f’àyà ḿaa jó o,
Rè’dí o ḿaa jó, àní ko ra’sẹ̀ ḿaa jó o
Onítèmi àtàtà, ẸniỌbánkẹ́ gangan
Adá’jọ́, ọjọ́ pé, ara rẹ ò gbà’bọ̀dè tú’ra ká o
Onílù ayọ̀ ré, ẹ pa’gbo àríyá, ijó yá o
Adá’jọ́, ọjọ́ pé, ara rẹ ò gb’odi tú’jú ká o
Onílù ayọ̀ ré, ẹ pa’gbo àríyá, ijó yá o
Ikú ò ní p’ọkọ rẹ, àrùn ò ní ṣe yín o
Ọjọ́ òní l’ayọ̀ rẹ bẹ̀rẹ̀, tú’jú ká ọ̀rẹ́ o
Bẹ̀rẹ̀ máa jó…
Ikú ò ní p’aya rẹ, àrùn ò ní ṣe yín o
Ọjọ́ òní l’ayọ̀ rẹ bẹ̀rẹ̀, tú’jú ká ọ̀rẹ́ o
Bẹ̀rẹ̀ máa jó…
(The royal music maestro is here,
Tell both the old and the young, the show begins
The merrymaker is here,
Get the party going, time to dance
Death will not pounce on your child
Illness will not come upon you
Cheer up friend; today’s your special day
Bend down and dance, stand straight and dance
My dear one, beloved of the King
Dance with ease, dance with your front, back, your feet
My darling, beloved of the King
The appointed day has come and your body is fit
You should loosen up
The chosen date is here and you are hale and hearty
You should brighten up
Death will not pounce on your man
Illness will not come upon you
Cheer up friend; today’s your special day
Bend down…
Death will not pounce on your wife
Illness will not come upon you
Cheer up friend; today’s your special day
Bend down…)
8. THE HAPPINESS RIVER
Somewhere deep down in Africa
Runs a river, full of mystery
It’s been there since the beginning of time
And they call it the happiness river
People go there to be reborn
And discover the purpose of life
If you take a dip with your worries
You’ll emerge to a new dawn of hope
Oh yes, we call it the happiness river
Flows from east right down to the west
And if the day is dark or the road be rough
We’ll keep on smiling; we’ll go down no more
Everyone is in this journey of life
The little ones, the weak and the old
Every man is his brother’s keeper
And every woman is the mother of all
On the road to redemption
There are many who fall by the wayside
But if your soul is pure and your purpose is right
You come along, raise your voice
And sing the song-
Yes, we are sailing the happiness river
Flows from east right down to the west
And if the day is dark or the road be rough
We’ll keep on smiling; we’ll go down no more
Oh yes, we’re sailing the happiness river
Hand in hand, reaching for the sky
And if the day is dark or the road be rough
We’ll keep on smiling; we’ll go down no more
Let hate depart from you,
Open your heart today
Let the spirit of love come shining through
We are up like the birds and we’ll fly again
We will fly again like the birds
And you’ll come with us
There’ll be no more pain
Just one love
9. IFẸSOWAPỌ
Ìfẹ́ ṣe b’óun l’ó so wá pọ̀ - ìwà ọ̀tẹ̀ ò da nkan
Ohun tó dì wá ò ní yà wá o
T’a bá nfi’nú ko’nú o ní mímọ́
Yíó yẹ wá ka’lẹ́ a ò ní p’òfo o
Ìwà rere ṣe b’óun l’ó so wá pọ̀ yì́ o - ìwà ìkà ò da nkan
Ohun tó dì wá ò ní yà wá o
Ilé ayé aládùn ni tiwa
Yíó yẹ wá ka’lẹ́ a ò ní ṣìṣe o
Aláìgbọ́n ọmọ ẹ̀dá ní sọ’pé kò s’ẹ́ni bí òhun
Àìmoye ló ti rìn l’ọ́nà yí o,
Bópẹ́bóyá kò s’ẹ́ni tí ò ní lọ
Òtítọ́ ṣe b’óun l’ó so wá pọ̀ - ìwà ọ̀tẹ̀ ò da nkan
Ohun tó dì wá ò ní yà wá o
T’a bá nfi’nú ko’nú o ní mímọ́
Yíó yẹ wá ka’lẹ́ a ò ní p’òfo o
Ìwà rere ṣe b’óun l’ó so wá pọ̀ yì́ o - ìwà ìkà ò da nkan
Ohun tó dì wá ò ní yà wá o
Ilé ayé aládùn ni tiwa
Yíó yẹ wá ka’lẹ́ a ò ní ṣìṣe o
Ọlá bá ọ jí lòní f’ẹ̀rín mùlẹ̀ b’ẹnu
Ò bá dẹ̀ f’apá ẹ ré’jó o jùdí wùkẹ̀ oge
Iwájú ṣe b’óhun ni ọ̀pá ẹ̀bìtì nré
Ìbùkún l’ọ́jọ́ gbogbo, o ò ní ṣ’òfò lúlé ayé o
Ire bá ọ jí lòní f’ẹ̀rín mùlẹ̀ b’ẹnu
Ò bá dẹ̀ ṣe gírí o tọ’sẹ̀ láàlà ọlà
Ẹni a bíire jọ̀wọ́ fì’wà j’ọba
Ayọ̀ n’iṣẹ́ ọwọ́ rẹ, o ò ní ṣ’òfò lúlé ayé o
Apamọlẹ́kún gbàgbé ẹ̀san, onírìkísí ntan ra rẹ̀ jẹ
Àìmoye ló ti rìn l’ọ́nà yí o,
Bópẹ́bóyá òtítọ́ ni yíò lékè láyé
(Love is our bond
May that which binds us never disperse us
If we commune in purity, it shall be well with us.
Virtuous living is our bond
May that which binds us never disperse us
The good life is ours, we’ll thrive and never fail.
A foolish being says there’s none like him
Countless others have walked this path
And everyone eventually departs.
Truth is our bond
May that which binds us never disperse us
If we commune in purity, we will thrive and never fail.
Virtuous living is our bond
May that which binds us never disperse us
The good life is ours, we’ll thrive and never fail.
Smile; good fortune awakens with you
Dance with abandon - forward ever!
Blessings daily, may you suffer no loss
Smile; good fortune awakens with you
Walk, swiftly, up the path of progress
Let your ways reflect your good breeding
Joy in your work, may you suffer no loss
The wicked one fools only himself
Countless others have walked this path
Eventually, Truth will triumph)
10. ROAD TO REDEMPTION
Bombs falling from the sky to buy your freedom
What manner of freedom are you going to get?
They’ll taint your women, corrupt your children
Time passes by and you never learn
So you go down on your knees and pray to a foreign god
And you scream and shout and fast and no one answers
You read your holy book and wait for deliverance
Time passes by, you never learn
Brother don’t you see we’ve got to wake up
The answers are not far from our noses
We’ve got to liberate our minds my sister
Time passes by, you never learn
Time passes by; you’re still the same
You turn your back on hard work and wisdom
Stretching out your hand for compassion and charity
Your children become strangers in their own world
Time passes by, you never learn
You silence all your prophets and good sons and daughters
Stamp out all contrary opinion
You’re a slave to money and possessions
Time passes by and you never learn
Sister, don’t you see we’ve got to wake up
The answers are not far from our noses
We’ve got to liberate ourselves my brother
Time passes by, you never learn
Time passes by; we’re still the same
The road to redemption may not be easy
But I’ll walk with you all the way
11. ỌMỌAGBA
Ọmọàgbà, ṣèb’ó ti dé’lé owó o
Má mà ṣe ṣì’wà wù, má jẹ’un wọ̀mùwọ̀mù bí àlejò
Ọmọàgbà, à l’o ti wọ’lé ọlá o
Má mà ṣe ṣì’wà wù, má tẹ’lẹ̀ jàùjàù bí àjèjì
Ẹniábiire kìí bínú òdì, oníwàtútù ẹni’re ni
Ọmọlúwàbí abánitọ́mọ o, atúnlù́tò ọmọ ọkọ
Ọmọàgbà, ṣèb’ó ti dé’lé owó o
Má mà ṣe ṣì’wà wù, má jẹ’un wọ̀mùwọ̀mù bí àlejò
Ọmọàgbà, à l’o ti dé’lé agbára o
Má mà ṣe ṣì’wà wù, má tẹ’lẹ̀ jàùjàù bí àjèjì
Ẹni è tó fún, wọ́n nbẹ l’óde o,
Àwọn yẹn nwo’jú Ọlọ́run l’ókè ọba ni
Ẹni ò rí b’átiṣé, wọ́n pọ̀ ní’ta o,
Àwọn yẹn nwo’jú Elédùmarè kó dáhùn
(Chosen one, you’re now in the place of riches
Don’t misbehave, don’t act rashly
Chosen one, now that you’ve come into wealth
Don’t misbehave, don’t act rashly.
The well-bred don’t give in to anger or violence
Gentle soul, nurturer of minds,
Nation-builder, the pride of all
Chosen one, now you’re in the place of power
Don’t misbehave, don’t act rashly
They need you, the poor,
Out there, looking to the heavens
They need you, the downtrodden,
Out there, looking for succor)
12. WE LIVE HERE TOO
As it was in the beginning, so it is in these times
Man’s greed knows no bounds and he will trample
On anything and anyone in his search for glory
And the quest for wealth and fame
But the inheritors of pain cry out
“We are here!” and I am there too
Yes lord, I am here; we live here too
Don't underestimate us, we’re not fools; watch us!
We’ve seen the likes before
Mighty armies straddling the whole world, seemingly unbeatable
But, just like time, everything passes
They will fall, they will scatter and their armor
Will be of no use in the hands of the master
And the witnesses of history cry out
“We are here!” and I am there too
Yeah lord, I am here; we live here too
Don't underestimate us, we’re many; watch us!
Soon will come this time, I’m saying
When the king of the north marches upon the lands of the south
Pestilence, anger and anguish walk hand in hand
On this terrible day when the sun turns dark
But it’s only just for a while
A new day cometh, bright new dawn, sun shining, happy people singing
“We are here!” and I am there too
Yes lord, I am there; we live here too.