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. © & ℗ 2011 EniObanke
1. MONKEY WEAR SHOE
Ìbàsẹ̀jẹ́ awo sọ̀lúdìgbẹ́ o
Làntìlanti pàtàn lábẹ́ ewé
Ìlú òkè ni mo lọ ó ti gbé’lé yẹn tà
Ọmọ àpà ni wọ́n npe ‘rú rẹ o.
Ìbàsẹ̀jẹ́ fọ̀tẹ̀sọlá o
Ọ̀rọ̀ rẹ ni mo rò d’ọ́dọ̀ àgbà
Iye sunkún, bàbá f’ọwọ́ lẹ́rán o
Wọ́n l’ọ́mọ ènìyàn wọn ò ṣe gb’ára lé o.
Monkey dey wear shoe, e think say e be fine guy
(Bespoiler, keeper of destructive company
Horrendous liar, teller of idle tales
In my brief absence, he sold the house
Shameless Prodigal is what you are.
Bespoiler, master of chicanery
I exposed your malfeasance to the elders
Mother wailed and Father pondered
And then they said no being is worthy of trust.
Monkey dey wear shoe, e think say e be fine guy)
Alábòsí ọ̀rẹ́ túlétúlé, wòòkòwooko ẹ ò r’ójú olè
Ìwà ibi ni ò jẹ́ o r’álájọgbé
Gbogbo nkan ò mà lè jẹ́ tìrẹ o.
Ìbùsọ̀ l’ẹnu ká ti jẹun k’á yó
Ọ̀rọ̀ ọ̀fun lo má nf’orí rẹ rò
Àgbà ọmọ a ṣe bíi màjèsín
Ìgb̀a kan ò lọ bí òréré o
Ọ̀sán bá ọ wí, o lóò ní gbọ́
Alẹ́ bá ọ sọ́, o l’ẹ́nu rẹ̀ nrùn
Ẹni ṣ’ọ̀lẹ, olè ní ó jà gbẹ̀hìn
Ha, nbá mọ̀ ní kẹ́hìn aṣebi o
(Evil schemer, promoter of chaos
Hardened thief with unfeeling eyes
Your devious ways repel everyone
No matter how you try,
All the resources can't be yours alone.
The mouth is supreme, to eat and be full
Satisfying the tummy, your eternal goal
Overgrown child behaving like a toddler
Remember, no season is forever.
Afternoon cautioned you, Evening counselled you,
Stubbornly, you turned deaf ears
The indolent will take to a life of crime
And regret is where it all ends)
Ènìyàn méjì ìí pàdánù irọ́
B’ẹ́ni a pá fún ò mọ̀, ẹni npurọ́ mọ’ra rẹ̀ o
Ṣèb’ójú àwo l’àwo mi fi ngb’ọbẹ̀ o
Ngò í ṣ’ọ̀dẹ̀, mo kàn dákẹ́ ni o
Ènìyàn o s’áwọn ná k’ẹ́ṣin l’ọ́ró
Jẹ́jẹ́ mi ni mo má nlò’gbà ìwà
Ẹni tọ́ mi, ṣe nìyẹn ntú ‘lé agbọ́n o
Bí ò ṣọ́’ra yíó mal j’íjó ẹ̀tẹ́ o
Ilẹ̀ bá ọ sọ́, o lóò ní gbọ́
Òkè bá ọ wí, o l’ẹ́nu rẹ̀ nrùn
Ẹní ṣ’ọ̀lẹ, olè ni ó jà gbẹ̀hìn
Ò bá tẹ’pá mọ́’ṣe, ọ̀la nbọ̀ wá da o
(Both parties cannot be oblivious to a lie
The liar surely knows, if not the recipient
Don’t take my silence for stupidity.
I prefer to meet my challenges face on
Humans taught the horse to be bitter and vengeful
I go by quietly but if anyone looks for my trouble
Like one disturbing a hornet’s nest
If he is not careful, he will do a dance of disgrace.
Earth spoke to you, you wouldn’t listen
Sky warned you, you tuurned a deaf ear
Indolence leads to a life of crime
Focus hard on your work, a better day is coming)
2. KO DA NKAN
Má yọ s’ílé mi mọ́
Kìí ṣe kúrò l’áyé ọ̀rẹ́ mi
Ṣebí ‘lé ayé ọ̀hún ò da nkan
Má rìn lọ́ọ̀dẹ̀ mi kìí ṣe jáde l’áyé kóo mọ gbọ́ o
Àní ‘lé ayé ọ̀hún ò da nkan
(Asking me never to come near your house again
Is not a dismisal from life, my friend
This life is worth little anyway
Barring me from your space
Is not expulsion from the world, you understand?
This life is worth little anyway)
Bàbá olówó àná, onílé gogoro nkọ́, àwọn dà?
A wá wọn títí, a ò mà rí wọn mọ́
Ìyá wọ̀kílùúmọ̀ akọ́mọlẹ́rú, àwọn náà nkọ́?
Ilẹ̀ mù wọ́n, a ò mà gbọ́ wọn mọ́
(Yesterday’s money man, who built the mighty mansion
He’s nowhere to be found today
And the powerful woman who treated people like slaves
The Earth ate her too, now she is silent)
Bọ̀bọ́ olókìkí tí gbogbo ayé nwá rìrì fún
Wọ́n bá ‘lẹ̀ lọ, a ò mà gbọ́ wọn mọ́
Arẹwà kò-sí-rú-mi, atẹlẹ̀bíẹyẹ
Wọ́n lò’gbà, ìgbà wá lò wọ́n, a ò mà gbọ́ wọn mọ
(The famous guy who had the world at his feet
He has disappeared too, no longer to be heard
Oh, and the vain beauty strutting about like a bird
She had her time, time used her and now she’s gone)
Ẹni ayé nfẹ́, ẹni ayé nfẹ́
Ó lè d’ọ̀tá ìlú lọ́la, ẹni ayé nfẹ́
Ẹni ò r’ọ́wọ́ mú, ẹni ò r’ọ́wọ́ mú
Ó lè d’ọlọ́rọ̀ l’ọ́la ẹni ò r’ọ́wọ́ mú
Ẹni ayé npọ́nlé, ẹni ayé npọ́nlé
Wọ́n le tu’tọ́ ẹ̀tẹ́ si, b’ọ́rọ̀ ò bá gún mọ́
(The one beloved today by the world
May turn an enemy of the people tomorrow
And the desperately poor, seemingly hopeless
May tomorrow, become well-to-do
The one celebrated today by the world
They spit on tomorrow if things go awry)
3. SOMEONE LIKE BIKO
Weariness in my soul, pain in my heart
See you there little child, fear in your eyes
The road ahead will be rough, we seek the land of hope
No vision, no clear direction
Only the fittest of the fittest shall survive and that’s why
I’m crying for the future
I worry about the future
I’m working for the future, yeah
Will we ever truly be happy
Will we ever know the good life
Will there ever be justice and equality for all?
So give me a man like Malcolm in this time
Someone like Sankara with the love of his people
Show me a man like Neto in this time
Someone like Biko
Then we were slaves taken away from here
Now we’re still slaves right on our own land
Nothing is settled my brother, the battle rages on
We’re still the pawn in the game
And half the story is never told and that’s why
I’m fighting for the future
I’m working for future
I’m looking to the future, yeah
Will we ever really be free
Will ever stand up and fight
Will we ever speak together in one voice?
So give me a man like Cabral in this time
Someone like Lumumba, with the passion of youth
We need men like Garvey in this time
Someone like Biko
So give me a man like Shaka in this time
Someone like Nkrumah, with the love of his people
Show me a man like Boro in this time
Someone like Biko
Weariness in my soul, pain in my heart
Close your eyes and sleep child,
Everything is going to be alright
4. ATUNDA ERE
Wọ́n l’épè ní p’òṣìkà, ọ̀dàlẹ̀ ní p’ọ̀rẹ́ o
Àrígiṣẹ́gi o, ṣèb’óun l’ẹrù ó pa
Èpè ní p’òṣìkà, ọ̀dàlẹ̀ ní p’ọ̀rẹ́ o
Iṣeẹ́ ọwọ́ ẹni, la ó fi dá ni l’áre
(Curses will cause the demise of the wicked
Betrayal wrecks friendship
He who is out for the destruction of others
Will fall under his own burden
By the works of our hands we shall be vindicated)
A dúró a mí s’ọ̀rọ̀, àwọn kan p’áwọn l’àgbà oyè
Àwa ò b’ẹ́nìkan du’pò, jẹ́jẹ́ la nmí
Ẹni wá wa dé’lé, t’ayọ̀ t’ẹ̀rín la ó pàdé rẹ̀
Pẹ̀lú ijó onísùúrù l’ẹ́sẹ̀ o
Ijó ti yá o, orin rèé o
Àwọn ẹgbẹ́ wa l’ó mà mí s’àtúndá eré
Ijó ti yá o, orin rèé o
Àrà tó bá wùn ẹ́ ni o jù s’ílẹ̀ o
(We stand there talking and some folks start mouthing off
We are not competing with anyone, just doing our own thing
If you come over to our place,
We shall welcome you with joy and an easy shuffle.
It’s dancing time and here’s your song
Our band makes the music of rebirth
And you can move as you like on the floor)
Ẹni l’ówó l’ọ́wọ́, tí nṣe bí aláìní o
Ọ̀rọ̀ ayé ò tó nkan o ká máa rántí
Ẹni bá ṣ’iṣẹ́ kára ṣe b’ó ye kó l’áṣìkò ìgbádùn
Olólùfẹ́ máa gbẹ́’sẹ̀ bọ̀ níkànkan
(Deep pockets pretending to be a pauper
Just remember that life is temporary
Anyone who works hard should find time for fun
Come beloved, come forth gently.
It’s dancing time and here’s your song
Our band makes the music of rebirth
And you can move as you like on the floor)
Ẹ gbé wa d’órí ogún, ẹ gbé wa dé ‘bi ọgbọ̀n
Àní ẹ f’ọ̀nà hàn wá ò k’álẹ́ tó lẹ́
Ẹ gbé wa dé ‘bi tó ga
Ẹ gbé wa dé ‘bi tó jìn
Ẹ máa tọ́ wa o, k’áyé ó yẹ wá
Ẹ gbé wa d’órí ogójì
Ẹ gbé wa kọjá ẹgbẹ̀rún
Ayọ̀ pẹ̀lú àlááfià, orí ire
Ẹ gbé wa dé ‘bi ọgọ́rù́n, ẹ gbé wa kọjá ẹgbẹ̀ta
Ẹ máa tọ́ wa o, ká má ṣì’nà
(Take us to high places
Take us higher and further still
Guide us that we may have a good life
Lead us so we may not go wrong
And joy, health and good fortune shall be ours)
5. KING OF PROCRASTINATION
All of my life I don dey try o
To be the best I can be
To be somebody’s hero
But I am the king of procrastination
And now that you’ve come my way I really see o
Your beauty glows in the dark
My former life was a deep hole
You are the queen of illumination
So here I stand, wash me woman
Make me clean, put a new song in my mouth
Don’t give up on me now
Time has passed again, I’m in the shadows
The darkness comes anew
My lonely feet grow heavy
These are the days of tribulation
But then, I hear your voice calling out
You beat a path through the jungle
You’ve got a smile on your face
You’re reaching out in invitation
But girl, I’m afraid my past will never let me be
They say old habits die hard
Don’t give up on me now
Today we meet as planned at the crossroads
I’ve got my offering ready
I go down on my knees o
And plead with the Lord of Confusion
But you, you have eyes only for me o
Your plate is full of riches
You treat me like a hero
You feed me love and devotion
Yes queen, I am ready
Hold me woman, make me strong
We’ll be together through the storm
Don’t give up on me now
6. TERAMỌ
Arákùnrin tẹ’ra mọ, tẹ’ra mọ,
Tẹ’ra mọ ’ṣẹ́, ìbẹ̀rẹ̀ ìí ṣ’oníṣẹ́
Olólùfẹ́ tẹ’jú mọ, tẹ’jú mọ,
Tẹ’pá mọ́ ‘ṣẹ́, ọ̀la nbọ̀ wá da
Arábìnrin tẹ’ra mọ, tẹ’ra mọ,
Tẹ’ra mọ ’ṣẹ́, ìbẹ̀rẹ̀ ìí ṣ’oníṣẹ́
Olólùfẹ́ tẹ’jú mọ, tẹ’jú mọ,
Tẹ’pá mọ́ ‘ṣẹ́, ọ̀la nbọ̀ wá da
(Brother, keep at it, keep going until the very end
Beloved, keep your eyes on the goal
Keep working hard, success comes soon
Sister, keep at it, keep going until the very end
Beloved, keep your eyes on the goal
Keep working hard, success comes soon)
Àsìkò layé, bí ò bá ì yí kan ni,
Á dà bí ẹni’pe ènìyàn ò mọ̀ọ́ ṣe rárá
Ṣùgbọ́n tí ‘gbà bá tó, tí ‘ràwọ̀ ẹ̀dá ntàn
Kò s’ẹ́ni tó le dí ni l’ọ́nà
(Everything in life has its time
Until it’s your turn, one seems like a failure
But when the time arrives for your star to shine
No one can stand in your way)
Fì ‘dẹ̀ra fún wa, ọba fì ‘bùkún fún wa
Wá fi‘ṣẹ́ yìn wá o, ká má d’èr̀o ẹ̀yìn l’áyé o
Fì ‘dẹ̀ra fún wa, ọba fì ‘bùkún fún wa
K’ọ́jọ́ ayé wa kó gùn k’ólóyin
Fì ‘dẹ̀ra fún wa, ọba fì ‘bùkún fún wa
Ká má ṣ’iṣẹ́ àṣedànù, ká má d’èrò ẹ̀yìn l’áyé o
Fì ‘dẹ̀ra fún wa, ọba fì ‘bùkún fún wa
K’ọ́jọ́ ayé wa kó dùn kan lẹ̀
(Grant us well-being and plenty
May our work speak for us and elevate us
May our days be long and sweet
May we not labour in vain and become laggards
May our lives be blessed until the very end)
Ìgbà mà l’ọlá, yíyí níí yí kan ni
Ẹni ò ní sùúrù ní t’ojú bọ ‘lé kiri
F’òwúrọ̀ ṣiṣẹ́, ko f’òtítọ́ si o
Ṣèbí sùúrù ló jù, ọba ìwà
(Wealth comes in due season, when it is your turn
The impatient run helter-skelter, ahead of themselves
Do honest labour in your youth
Patience is the key, Lord of Character)
7. LOCUST SEASON
You know that many of us, we miss those days of harmony
And we’ll like to see them again
You know that many of us, we miss those days of innocence
And we’ll like to see them again
Tell me where are you now Victor Banjo?
We look to the sky and the stars are gone
Only vultures feeding off the backs of the poor,
The weak and the people’s frustration
Tell me, where have you gone Kaduna Nzeogwu?
The sun doesn’t shine in the east anymore
And the west no longer sees any ray of hope
And in the north, in the south, it’s locust season
So tell me, where will it berth this floundering ship?
The storm is gathering and the moment comes
When denial will no longer be enough
And the horrors of the past will be exposed
So tell me how will you gag millions of voices?
The season of reckoning is drawing near
When the people come together to make a new pact
On how to live together or move apart
E don tey wey we dey talk am
No be today o, no be today
We seek justice and liberty
Truth and honour in high places
We seek freedom and prosperity for all
We seek an end to poverty in this land
8. AGO ONILE
Àgò onílé a mà dé àwa ni
Ẹ̀yin wo nùu?
Àgò onílé a mà dé àwa ni
Ẹ káàbọ̀ o!
Àgò onílé a mà dé àwa ni
A ti nretí yín!
Àgò onílé a mà dé àwa ni
Ẹ má wo ’lẹ̀ o!
(Knock, knock, residents, we are here
Who are you?
Knock, knock, residents, we are here
You’re welcome!
Knock, knock, residents, we are here
We’ve been expecting you!
Knock, knock, residents, we are here
Come in, tread carefully!)
A dé, mo seb’á̀wa náà ni ẸniỌ́bánkẹ́ gangan, a tún dé
A mà dé o, kò s’éwu l’ẹ́gbẹ̀rún ẹ̀kọ, ẹ máa bá wa kálọ, a tún dé
Láti ‘lé ọgbọ́n -
A dé, seb’á̀wa náà ni, ọmọ ọ̀dọ̀ àgbàgbà, a tún dé
Ẹni bá ṣe ’re -
Ire ni ó ma rí, ẹni bá sì ṣè ’kà, àbámọ̀ ni ó jẹ l’óde ayé
Ẹ f’ìwà ṣ’ọlá -
Ẹ f’ọlá m’ẹbí, f’owó m’aráàdúgbò, ẹnìkan ò m’ẹ̀hìn ọ̀la, ẹ yé
Tẹ̀ẹ́ jẹ́jẹ́ -
Yíyí l’ayé nyí, ẹní kàn l’ọ́tẹ̀ yìí, ẹ̀ bá jẹ́ a rọra ṣ’ayé
F’òtítọ́ ṣ’ọ̀rẹ́ -
K’áyé ó le r’ójú, ẹ jẹ́ á tún ‘lẹ̀ yìí ṣe, k’ára ó rọ gbogbo wa, ẹ yé!
(We are here, yes, the real EniObanke
We who learned at the feet of the elders
We have come from the place of wisdom
Do come along with us, it’s totally safe.
The malevolent harvest evil
Those who sow seeds of goodness shall reap joy
Spread wealth, tread gently on your way
Befriend Truth, make this land a better place
That we may all have peace and comfort)
9. OHUN MẸRIN
Ará, mo gbọ́’rọ̀ kan o l’ẹ́nu iye mi àgbà
Wọ́n l’afẹ́nifẹ́re o, wọn ò ṣ’ọ̀pọ̀ l’áyé
Àgbájọ’wọ́ ìyẹn ṣ’óun làá fi sọ̀ ’yà
Ká-rìn-ká-pọ̀ ní ’ṣọ̀kan
Àní mo gbó’un tó dùn l’ẹ́nu iye mi àgbà
Wọ́n l’ẹ́ni tí ó j’oyin àpáta kìí w’ẹnu àáké
Kì mà í ṣ’ojú bọ̀rọ̀ làá gb’ọmọ ẹ̀kùrọ́
Ọ̀rẹ́ mi gbé’ra nde
(Friends, I heard something from my grandmother
She said those who seek the growth of society are few
If we desire positive change,
We must walk and work together in unity.
I heard this also from my grandmother
He who seeks honey from a rock won’t fret over his axe
The task wont be easy; get up my friend)
You stand for your right, I stand for mine
Everyone must play his part
We ask for the truth, demand for justice
Only love will set us free
Mo mà gbó’un tó dùn l’ẹ́nu iye mi àgbà
Wọ́n l’ohun mẹ́rin ní nbẹ o tí ò j’áyé ó gún
Àìṣòtítọ́ - ó nbẹ ní’bẹ̀
Àìnítẹ̀lọ́rùn - ó nbẹ ní’bẹ̀
Ìmọtẹni nìkan - ó nbẹ ní’bẹ̀
Ọ̀tẹ̀ – ìyẹn nbẹ ní’bẹ̀!
(I heard something sweet from my grandmother
She said four things are the bane of society:
Deceit - that’s one
Selfishness - that’s another
Greed - that one too
Skulduggery - that’s there as well)
Ará, mo gbọ́’rọ̀ kan o l’ẹ́nu bàbá onírùngbọ̀n
Wọ́n ní ìmọ̀ ìwé yẹn o, ó ṣe pàtàkì, ó jọjú
Sùgbọ́n ọgbọ́n àwọn àgbà, ṣé yẹn n’ìṣẹ̀nbáyé
Kò ṣe é f’ọwọ́ rọ́ s’ẹ́hìn láíláí
Àní mo gbó’un tó dùn l’ẹ́nu Àṣàbí ọlọ́mọwẹ́wẹ́
Wọ́n ní abániṣé yẹn o, wọn ò pọ̀ bí abánilò’gbà
Akínkanjú ẹ rọra, ọgbọ́n l’ọ̀rọ̀ yìí ó gbà
Ọjọ́ òmìnira nbọ̀ kánkán
(Friends, I heard something from the aged, bearded one
He said modern knowledge is important
But we must also embrace ancient traditional wisdom.
I heard something sweet from Asabi, blessed matron
She said the builders are never as numerous as the parasites
Tread with care brave ones, we must employ wisdom
The dawn of freedom is nigh)
10. EYES ALWAYS OPEN
Eyes always open
Sun no dey sleep, sun no dey sleep
Ever shining bright
Ever burning bright