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. © & ℗ 2016 EniObanke
1. ẸDA
Èèmọ̀ ìí dédé wọ ’lé o
Ẹ̀dá l’ó p’olè, l’ó kọ bí ó ṣe rìn,
L’ó tún p’ol’óun kó wá mu
A fì’bẹ̀rẹ̀ wọ’lé o, fì’dúró wọ’lé,
Àní k’á ti r’óun tí nbẹ l’ẹ́yin àbòsí dandan
A p’ògèdè wọ’lé o, p’ọfọ̀ tọ̀sántalẹ́,
Àní k’á ti r’óun tí nbẹ l’ẹ́yin rìkísí dandan
A fi jìnìjìnì wọ’lé o, fì’gboyà wọ’lé,
Àní k’á ti r’óun tí nbẹ l’ẹ́yin ọ̀tẹ̀ yí dandan
A fi gìràgìrà wọ’lé o, fi sùúrù wọ’lé,
Àní k’á ti r’óun tí nbẹ l’ẹ́yin ọ̀dàlẹ̀ dandan
A fi tọ̀wọ̀tọ̀wọ̀ wọ’lé o, fì̀’gbéraga wọ’lé,
Àní k’á ti r’óun tí nbẹ l’ẹ́yin rìkísí dandan
(Trouble doesn’t just appear in the house
It was Man who invited the thief, showed him the way
And then called the owner to apprehend him
Whether it stands erect or stoops to enter
The main thing is to find the source of betrayal
Whether it enters chanting incantations or magic words
The main thing is to find the source of treachery
Whether it comes full of fear or brimming with courage
The key is to get to the root of chicanery
It might come in like a storm or even arrive gently
The main thing is to find the source of betrayal
Whether it comes with humility or arrogance
The main thing is to find the source of treachery)
2. TIWALANṢE
Wò wọ́n o bí wọ́n ṣe nwò wá o, wọ́n ṣe bá ò l’óye,
Tiwa l’à wá nṣe o
A ti fi’pò sílẹ̀ f’ónípò, fì’jà sílẹ̀ f’álágbára,
Tiwa l’à wá nṣe ò e
Kò s’óun tó nbọ̀ l’ókè n’ílẹ̀ tó lè já wa l’áyà o,
Ṣèbí t’ọba l’à wá nṣe o
A ti f’ìrẹ̀lẹ̀ ṣ’ọlá, a fì’tẹ́lọ́rùn ṣ’aṣọ,
T’ọba l’à wá nṣe ò e
Kò s’óun tó nbọ̀ l’ókè n’ílẹ̀ l’áyé tí ó bà wá l’ẹ́rù,
Ṣèbí tiwa l’à wá nṣe ò e
Kò s’óun tó nbọ̀ l’ókè n’ílẹ̀ l’áyé tí ó já wa l’áyà,
Ṣèbí t’ọba l’à wá nṣe ò e
Kò s’óun tó nbọ̀ l’ókè n’ílẹ̀ l’áyé tí ó bá wa l’ábo,
Ṣèbí tiwa l’à wá nṣe ò e
(See them staring at us, thinking we have no understanding
We are just doing our own thing
We’ve left status for those who want it, the fight to the mighty
We are doing our own thing now
No challenge from above or below can catch us unawares
We are just doing the King’s work
Humility is our wealth and contentment our robe
We are doing the King’s work now
No challenge, from above or below, can ruffle us
We are doing our own thing now
No challenge, from above or below, can scare us
We are doing the King’s work now
Nothing, from above or below, can meet us unprepared
We are doing our own thing now)
3. LADY OF THE VALLEY
On the way to Marrakesh, in the land of Morocco
I met this beautiful lass, in her face I saw my light
In the bus we got talking, in the sand we went a-walking
And I made her understand, I was going off my mind
My lady of the valley, come to me my darling
I’m enthralled by your pretty eyes and I know it is alright
Meet me tonight by the olive grove,
Bring your heart and your soothing smile
I’ve written home to my daddy and he says it is alright.
Our love will never die, stronger than Moroccan leather
I’ll keep you safe in my arms, put some magic in your life
My lady of the valley, come to me my darling
It’s a good day for loving, everything is so alive,
Tread the water without any fear,
I’ll be right there by your side
I’ve written home to mummy and I know it is alright
On the way to Marrakesh, in the land of Morocco
I found me a lovely girl, in the shade of a minaret
At a table in the bazaar, drinking strong Moroccan coffee
I told her about my feelings, now there is no going back
Our love will never die, stronger than Moroccan leather
She’s never met a man like me, I never knew a girl like this
My lady of the valley, come to me my darling
I’m in love with your gentle ways and I know it is alright
You woke me up so early, took me ‘round Moroccan alleys
Yes, I got lost a few times but I know it is alright
4. TAABAKU
Taabaku laad’ere, eniyan o sunwon laaye
Ni’jo erin wo aginju efe pa loolo
Kiniun lo n’igbo olupintan npintan
(Alive, man is worth little; in death, he earns immortality
On the day the elephant fell, the whole forest went silent
Now that the lion is gone, storytellers recall his exploits)
5. COLOUR OF ALL DAYS
Little boy woke up in the morning, looked himself all over,
Ran down to his mother and asked with all innocence,
“Why are we this way and so un-pretty,
Why can’t we be white and live in America?”
She looked him up and down for a while
Smiled and said to him, in a lingering voice, she said,
“Yours is the colour of all days; other colours are for occasions
So wrote a poet in rhyme and line; come on boy, get it on!”
And so as he grew up, he saw the disparity,
Saw all the inequality in the world
They say some are developing and some are developed,
But who will allow the developing to develop,
Yet the people are striving to be strong and free
Beyond the lighting and the rain, there’ll be a sunny day for sure!
Hope is the colour of all days; other colours are for occasions
You learn to rise beyond the shame; time is the master of pain
Time is the master of pain - mother was right, yes, she was right
Truth is the anchor of love - mother was right, yes, she was right
We reach the moment of truth, there is no fear, we must be strong
We’ve got the answers now, but can we be brave, can we?
So the first is the last and the Prince is a slave
Hatred is the gain from the years of terror
The wise one cautions, “Calm, brother calm”
Beyond the rage and bitterness, you’ll rise again and shake the world
Love is the colour of all days; other colours are for occasions
Somewhere just beyond the skin, everyone is the same
6. AKEEGBE NLA
A ìí dára k’á má kù sí ’bì kan, òun l’ó d’ífá f’Ádìgún òkè
Ọ̀rẹ́ ọmọdé, olùfẹ́ àlejò, ẹmulẹ̀wù ò mà b’ẹ́nìkan jà
Ẹ fún wọn ní’gbá kan, ẹ fún wọn ní’gbá méjì
Ẹ fi t’àgbà sílẹ̀ níbẹ̀, akèègbè nlá, k’ó máa yí, k’ó máa yí lọ
(Every man has a weakness and that is true for Adigun
Friend to children, lover of strangers, at peace with everyone
Give them one calabash, give them two
Leave some for the elders, the big gourd, let it roll on)
Ẹ wòó bó ti funfun láúláú!
Tòró l’ọ́fun, dùgbẹ̀ ní’kùn,
Ẹ gbé t’ọba lọ, ẹ má gbàgbé ìjòyè
Ẹ fún wọn ńi’gbá kan, ẹ fún wọn ní’gbá méjì
Ẹ fi t’ọmọdé yẹn sílẹ̀ o, akèègbè nlá, k’ó máa yí, k’ó máa yí lọ
(Wow, see how white it is!
Smooth down the throat, plumb in the tummy
Take some to the King and don’t forget the chiefs
Give them one calabash, give them two
Leave some for that youth, the big gourd, let it roll on)
Dem go dey look, dem go dey point, dem go dey laugh,
As if no be cloth I wear
You go dey talk, dey shout, dey beg,
As if no be cloth I wear
You wear your red, or your green, or your blue,
No be cloth I wear?
7. BOBBI’S WAY
Bobbi no dey lie, she no dey cheat, she no dey fake
Even in a moment of desperation, she no dey shake
Everyone dey follow the crowd, dey go the easy way
Our lovely little lady will not be moved, she’s got the courage
Bobbi knows the way o, hurry up everyone let’s go there
Bobbi’s got the answers, to all the questions
Bobbi knows the way o, come along everyone let’s go hear
Bobbi’s got the answers
Bobbi’s found a way to stay above the craziness
It’s simple and it’s easy if you wish to understand
You just be yourself and never chase another’s dream
Be happy with your lot and keep your light alive
Ará o, a-yé, ẹ w’ọmọ oníwàtútù
Tó dùn mú yangàn l’áwùjọ, l’óde
Ará o, a-yé, ẹ wá wo akínkanjú obìnrin
Tí nwú ni lórí
(Folks, behold a gentle soul,
Worthy of being flauted in public
Folks, behold a remarkable lady
Who fills us with pride and inspiration)
8. HOMECOMING
I’m going back again to where I took my roots from
Back to my mummy’s breast where it all began
Back to the dusty road where I walked with my dog
Back to the empty house where as a child I played
Maybe there I will find the answers to my questions
Maybe there I will find the real man in me
I’ve been gone many years and yet it’s confusing
I’m looking for a way to relieve my soul
Going back to my roots once again,
Could be that I never gave enough
Why is life such a mystery to me?
Guess it’s time to do some soul searching
The world is full of people with fears for tomorrow
The eyes are heavy with unshed tears of sorrow
One day you’ll be the star, the next you’re the loser
Some days you’ll lie alone, unloved in your corner
For many years I’ve sought for joy in my money
With my dreams of a land filled with milk and honey
But still I find myself alone in the darkness
Groping about for light, a glory to witness
Bí ‘wájú ò jẹ́ lílọ, ẹ̀yìn làá d’ojú kọ padà sí
B’ápá ọ̀tún dí o, à fi t’òsì ṣe ‘bi ‘re l’ọ́jọ́ ewu
B’ójú ọ̀run ṣú biri, à bẹ kúlúsọ ò gba ni s’ílé
Ọ̀nà kan ò w’ọjà, ojú ayé yí roboto
(If the path ahead is blocked, one turns back
If the right is impassable, we use the left to reach our goal
If the sky forebodes peril, we seek shelter with antlion larvae
More than one path leads to the market,
The earth has large, round eyes)
9. B’O ṢE ND’AGBA
Bí’nú rẹ bá dùn k’o rọra ṣe; l’ọ́jọ́ ìkorò má fa’jú ro
Kò sí b’ọ́nà ṣe gbòrò tó, gbángungbàngun díẹ̀ yí ó wà níbẹ̀ o
B’o r’ẹ́ni nyọ̀ k’o bá wọn ṣe, ẹni nsunkún ò fà wọ́n mọ́’ra
Àní b’o ṣe nd’àgbà ọmọ, má ṣe k’ẹ́gbẹ́ olókùnkùn,
M’ọ́wọ́ rẹ s’óun rere ṣe
Mo ní b’o ṣe ng’òkè ìlérí má gbàgbé ìbẹ̀rẹ̀,
M’ọ́wọ́ rẹ s’óun rere ṣe
B’o l’ọ́rọ̀ púpọ̀ má fi ṣ’akọ, bí ò sí o, má ṣè’lara
Kò sí b’ọ́nà ṣe gbòrò tó, gbángungbàngun díẹ̀ yí ó wà níbẹ̀ o
Àríyọ̀ mi ò ọmọ rere, Ìtùnú òbí rẹ̀ l’ọ́jọ́ ogbó
Àní b’o ṣe nd’àgbà ọmọ Akin má ro’jú, má ṣ’ọ̀le,
M’ọ́wọ́ rẹ s’óun rere ṣe
Mo ní b’ẹ ṣe nd’àgbà ọmọ, má ṣe kún wọn ní’gbìmọ̀ ọ̀tẹ̀,
M’ọ́wọ́ rẹ s’óun rere ṣe
Àní b’o ṣe nlàkàkà, má ro’jú, má ṣ’ọ̀le,
M’ọ́wọ́ rẹ s’óun rere ṣe
(Go gently when you are happy, don’t be forlorn when down
No matter how well made, a road will have tiny bumps
Rejoice with those celebrating, console those in grief
As you grow up child, don’t keep questionable company
Put your hands to good deeds
As you aim for the peak of promise, don’t forget your beginnings
Put your hands to good deeds
If you possess great wealth, don’t flaunt it
If you have not, don’t be covetuous
No matter how well made, a road will have tiny bumps
Harbinger of joy, good child, a parent’s comfort in old age
As you grow up child, don’t procrastinate or be lazy
Put your hands to good deeds
As you undertake your labours, don’t delay or be lazy
Put your hands to good deeds)
10. ỌLADUNNI
Ní kùtù l’ówù́rọ̀, bẹ́ẹ jí ẹ ó ri l’ọ́nà
B’ọ́jọ́ bá ti là, kìí fi’ṣẹ́ rẹ̀ ṣe’ré
Ọmọ Akin tí nwù’wà àgbà, ọmọ àgbà tí nṣ’ìṣe ọgbọ́n
Ọmọ ọkọ tí ò rẹ̀wẹ̀sì, iṣu rẹ̀ l’ó mà jiná
Ará ẹ má jowú rẹ̀, iṣẹ́ ọwọ́ rẹ̀ ló mí jẹ o
Ayé ẹ má ran’jú mọ, iṣẹ́ ọwọ́ rẹ̀ ló mí jẹ o
Owó dùn ná, mo mọ̀, iṣẹ́ ni ò dùn ṣe lójò-lẹ́rùn
Ọlá dùn ní, mo mọ̀, iṣẹ́ ni ò dùn ṣe kárakára
Àlá tí ò l’ẹ́sẹ̀ ìtàn làáfi pa, èrò tí ò di ìṣe àròkàn ọjọ́ alẹ́
Ẹ yé ẹ̀yin ọ̀dọ́ wa, ẹ gbé’ra ní’lẹ̀ mú’ṣẹ́ ṣe o
Ẹ má wo b’ó ti rí o, ẹni gbin’re nbọ̀ wá kó’re ayọ̀
Ká f’ọlá f’ọ́lọ́lá, l’óde ló yẹ
Gb’ádé f’ẹ́ni tó yẹ láì w’ọjọ́ orí
Ọmọ Akin tí nwù’wà àgbà, ọmọ àgbà tí nṣ’ìṣe ọgbọ́n
Ọmọ Akin tí ò rẹ̀wẹ̀sì, iṣu rẹ̀ l’ó mà jiná
Ará ẹ má jowú rẹ̀, iṣẹ́ ọwọ́ rẹ̀ ló mí jẹ o
Ayé ẹ má fẹ’jú mọ, iṣẹ́ ọwọ́ rẹ̀ ló mí jẹ o
Ẹ̀yin ọ̀rẹ́ ẹ má bínú si, iṣẹ́ ọwọ́ rẹ̀ ló mí jẹ o
(You will see him on his way, if you wake at dawn
Once day breaks, doesn’t joke with his work
Scion of the brave, in tune with ancient wisdom
Viliant one who never wearies - his reward is here
Folks don’t be envious, it’s the fruits of his labour
Don’t criticise him, he’s only enjoying the fruits of his labour
Spending money feels good, but work is no fun
Possessing wealth is great, hard work is the difficult part
Dreams with no legs only become tales
Thoughts that don’t become actions, regret for old age
Please young people, get up and do some work
Don’t be distracted by present circumstances
Those who sow good things will reap aplenty soon
Let’s give honour to whom it is due
Give the crown to the one who deserves it
Scion of the brave, in tune with ancient wisdom
Viliant one who never wearies - his reward is here
Folks, don’t be envious, don’t criticise him,
He’s only enjoying the fruits of his labour)
11. PROMISED CHILD
Silly dreamer, thought I could change the world
Now forty years wandering in the desert
And patience is worn
You’ll be the one, take it on and make it happen
Because everyone deserves a moment in the sun
And this is your turn
This war will be fought on the road, in the valley,
Everywhere you turn my child, you’ll see them
And this heart will be broken in two before the night is over
And you’ll be on your way
So, pick it up son, souse me up boy
Heart of gold, my light is fading and this is your turn
And this war will be fought on the road, in the mountains,
Everywhere you turn my child, you’ll see them
And this heart will be broken in two before the night is over
And you’ll be on your way
Go on! You’ve got the baton
Your turn to be bright as the sunlight
And she said to me, “This could be the one
That would change the way the game is played”
Said to me, “This could be the moment
When everything changes for the better
And what a beautiful thing that would be -
What a beautiful day it’s going to be!”
12. ORIN ADETUTU
B’ógiri ò la’nu pópó, alángbà́ ò ní wọ ‘bẹ̀
Ṣèb’áyà ló fi nfà, á wòye á mi’rí f’áyé
Ìyálóde alántakùn, a tà’dí m’ẹ́yìn pẹ́pẹ́
“Wọlé o kí mi ọ̀rẹ́ mi eṣinṣin” (ṣèbí ‘lé ayé la b’ọ́gbọ́n)
Oh, Ad́etutù, má ṣe gbọ́ t’ẹlẹ́gàn ìyàwó
Jọ̀wọ́, wò mí, o tún mi fẹ́
A-rí-tẹni-mọ̀ọ́-wí, alọ́mọ́-ni-lọ́nà-ọjà
“Ìyàwó ẹ kú ìnáwó!” (ṣèbí ‘lé ayé la b’ówú)
“Mo ṣe b’ówó ọba l’ẹ̀yin nná, ọkọ rẹ ngbégún oníhòhò
Dúró ná o gbọ́ tuntun ìyàwo”́ (ṣèbí ‘lé ayé nla b’ọ́tẹ̀)
Oh, Ad́etutù, má ṣe gbọ́ t’olópùrọ́
Mo ní o wò mí, o tún mi fẹ́
Ajé sọ’mọ nù bí òkò, l’óri kárà-kátà
Kìràkìtà yí ò mà d’ọlà o (ṣèbí ‘lé ayé la b’ówó)
Dàbọ̀ wá ’lé olólùfẹ́, b’ó ti wù k’ó lè korò
Láì ṣ’ọ̀le, láì rẹ̀wẹ̀sì ìyàwó, a ó jọ dé ‘bi ìtùnú
(If there is no breach in the wall, the lizard can’t enter
Crawls on his chest, looks at the world and nods.
The grand matron of spiders, steps back gingerly
“Come in and say hello, my friend housefly”
Was it not in this world that we met trickery?
Oh, Adetutu, pay no heed to the slanderers,
Please, look at me, love me over again
The tattler, latches on as you go to the market
“Congratulations, our wife!”
Was it not in this world that we met envy?
“You are the ones spending the King’s money now
Your husband champions the naked masquerade
Wait and listen to a new one our wife”
Was it not in the world that we met connivance?
Oh, Adetutu, pay no heed to the words of liars,
Look at me, love me over again
The search for sustenance flings one afar like a pebble
All this hustling doesn’t lead to wealth
Was it not in this world that we met money?
Please return home my beloved,
Irrespective of how bitter it may be
If we don’t delay or slack
Together we shall reach the place of comfort)
13. REVERIE
The rhythm of love, sweet like music from heaven
The rhythm of love, cool as the evening raindrop
The rhythm of love rocks your soul, like the waves of the ocean
It throws you up, brings you down,
Whips you round and round and round
Softly caresses like a lover’s hand
There’s a beauty in the rising sun,
The milky clouds of rain
The little miracles of the world
This is the rhythm of life
The rhythm of love, the feet of a newborn baby
The rhythm of love, the eyes of a beautiful lady
The rhythm of love has many shades, like the African sky
It could be black, could be white, could be brown or blue or red
It’s in the wind, in the sea, in the desert sand
This is the stuff happy dreams are made of,
Golden dreams of peace
Joy and sorrow are very close friends
This is the rhythm of life
14. EDA IN STYLE (Instrumental)