Fela Kuti - Water No Get Enemy (lyrics & comments)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases the song "Water No Get Enemy" which was composed in 1975 by Fela Kuti. Information about Fela Kuti is also included in this post. Lyrics for this song & comments about this song are also included in this post.

The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

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INFORMATION ABOUT FELA KUTI
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fela_Kuti
"Fela Kuti (born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti;[1] 15 October 1938 – 2 August 1997) also known as Fela Anikulapo Kuti or simply Fela ([feˈlæ]), was a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, pioneer of Afrobeat music, human rights activist, and political maverick.[2]"

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LYRICS: WATER NO GET ENEMY
(Fela Kuti)

T'o ba fe lo we omi l'o ma'lo
If you wan to go wash, na water you go use

T'o ba fe se'be omi l'o ma'lo
If you wan cook soup, na water you go use

T'o ri ba n'gbona o omi l'ero re
If your head dey hot, na water go cool am

T'omo ba n'dagba omi l'o ma'lo
If your child dey grow, na water he go use

If water kill your child, na water you go use
T'omi ba p'omo e o omi na lo ma'lo

Ko s'ohun to'le se k'o ma lo'mi o
Nothing without water
Ko s'ohun to'le se k'o ma lo'mi o
Omi o l'ota o

[Chorus]
Water, him no get enemy!

Omi o l'ota o
If you fight am, unless you wan die
I say water no get enemy
If you fight am, unless you wan die
Omi o l'ota o
I dey talk of Black man power
I dey talk of Black power, I say
I say water no get enemy
If you fight am, unless you wan die
I say water no get enemy
I say water no get enemy
Omi o l'ota o
Omi o l'ota o

http://songmeanings.com/songs/view/3530822107858713048/
Lyrics submitted by Anarchitect, March 27, 2008
Track duration: 11:01

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WHAT DOES THE PHRASE & THE SONG "WATER NO GET ENEMY" MEAN?
I believe that "water no get enemy" means that water doesn’t have any enemy because it’s so powerful. To paraphrase the song's lyrics, if you fight against water, you will lose. It also seems to me that by his mention of "black power", Fela Kuti implies that it's just as foolish to fight against black power as it is to fight against the power of water.

In this 2010 post http://www.socialtextjournal.org/blog/2010/01/water-no-got-enemy.php Tavia Nyong'o offers another meaning for this title:
“...I gather that the song featured prominently in the Broadway show Fela! -- "Water No Get Enemy" -- means something like "nobody hates something as useful as water." Make yourself as indispensable as this, goes the implied wisdom, and any detractors you gain will just look silly.”

Here's another comment about this song from Anarchitect http://songmeanings.com/songs/view/3530822107858713048/
"Water is essential to human life. Only a fool would dare go without it.

Likewise, the people and the body politic are a nation's lifeblood. They populate the land, power the economy, and preserve its culture. Only a foolish government would fight or antagonize its citizens. Trample on your own people, and your nation will die of thirst.

The song was written back in 1975 for Nigeria, but his message is still worth hearing today, no?"

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FEATURED EXAMPLES OF THIS SONG
Example #1: Fela Kuti - Water no get enemy



ACghigo, Uploaded on Aug 10, 2010

The Best of the Black President

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Example #2: "Water No Get Enemy" from FELA! Original Broadway Cast Recording.



Fela, Uploaded on Jun 24, 2010

"Water No Get Enemy" music video from FELA! on Broadway produced by Jay-Z, Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith.

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Thanks to Fela Kuti for his musical legacy & his political activism. Thanks also to those who I quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of this sound file & this video on YouTube.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

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The Lijadu Sisters - Reincarnation (with lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases a sound file of the Nigerian song "Reincarnation" by the Lijadu Sisters. The lyrics of that song are also included in this post along with information about these vocalists.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE LIJADU SISTERS
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lijadu_Sisters
"The Lijadu Sisters, Taiwo and Kehinde Lijadu, are identical twin sisters from Nigeria[4] who were an important music duet from the mid-1960s to the 1980s. They achieved success in Nigeria[5] and had modest influence in the United States and Europe. They were notable for being a West African version of the Pointer Sisters who mixed Afrobeat sounds with jazz and disco, according to one source.[1] Since the late 1980s, they retired from the music scene.

The twins grew up in the Nigerian town of Ibadan, and were inspired musically by various artists including Aretha Franklin, Victor Olaiya and Miriam Makeba. They had guidance from music producer Lemmy Jackson who is credited with helping them with their early successes.[5] Their music was a mix of Jazz, Afrobeat, Reggae and Waka. Sometimes they sung in English and other times in African languages....

The sisters were top stars in Nigeria during the 1970s and 1980s.[5] During these years, they branched out to America and Europe and found modest success...

Their reggae number Reincarnation insisted that if reincarnation was a reality, then they would like to be reincarnated again into the home where they grew up"...
-snip-
Also click http://www.knittingfactoryrecords.com/artists/the-lijadu-sisters/catalog/horizon-unlimited for more information and commentary about The Lijadu Sisters.

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LYRIC: REINCARNATION
(The Lijadu Sisters)

If there is reincarnation
I would love to come back
To the same home where I was born
Yes baby I would do
Oh Yes baby I would do

If you want to you wanna know
You can come with me
Where lots of love awaits you there

No matter where you come from
Oh no matter who you are
Reincarnation I'm waiting for you
Reincarnation I have no regrets

So be quick take me there
Bring me back home
Where I belong.

Reincarnation I'm waiting for you
Reincarnation I have no regrets
So be quick take me there
Bring me back home
Where I belong.

[lyrics repeat]
-snip-
Transcription by Azizi Powell. The word in italics means that I'm unsure about that transcription. Additions & corrections are welcome.

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SHOWCASE SOUND FILE

Reincarnation - Lijadu Sisters



KaibaraCity, Uploaded on Dec 11, 2011

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Thanks to The Lijadu Sisters for their musical legacy. Thanks also to the publisher of this sound file on YouTube.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

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Sonny Okosun - African Soldiers (with partial lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases a sound file of the song "African Soldiers" by Nigerian vocalist Sonny Okosun (This name is also given as Sunny Okosuns). A partial transcription of "African Soldiers" is also included in this post. Please add additions & corrections to these lyrics or please provide a link if this song's complete lyrics are already available online.

Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonny_Okosun for information about Sonny Okosun.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, inspiration, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

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SHOWCASE SOUND FILE
Sonny Okosuns - African Soldiers (Audio)



hogan523,Uploaded on Apr 9, 2011

Attention African Soldiers!
-snip-
Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-0MJ0h02tA for a video of this song which unfortunately is of very poor visual quality.

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PARTIAL LYRICS - AFRICAN SOLDIER
(Sonny Okosun)

["__?" means I didn't understand what was sung; italics means I wasn't sure of my transcription; some explanatory notes about this transcription are given within the transcription]


instruments

Lead - woh yoh woh yah
Group- woh yoh who yah
Lead -woh yoh woh yah woh yah
Group-woh yoh who yah
Lead -I want to tell of the African soldiers
Group-woh yoh who yah
Lead - African soldiers who fought for freedom.
woh yoh who yah
I want to tell of the African soldiers now....[follow the above pattern]
African soldiers who fought for freedom....
Some are dead and some are living....
Those that are dead are still fighting oh....
Those that are living are still fighting....
Chaka Zulu, African soldier....
Haile Selassie, African soldier....
Nnamdi Azikiwe, African soldier....
Kwame Nkrumah, African soldier....
Jomo Kenyatta, African soldier....
Patrice Lumumba, African soldier....
]Person's name], African soldier...
African soldier ___?
woh yoh woh yah
Show your power, African people now
woh yoh woh yah
Save your people
woh yoh woh yah
[repeat save your people & refrain two more times]
awoh wah
From economical crisis
awoh wah
From political nonsense
awoh wah
I said save your people
awoh wah
From economic shackles
awoh wah
Oh, save your people
awoh wah
From political avarice
I say save Africa
awoh wah
From political ___?
awoh wah
Attention, African soldiers.
Group - La la si kah si kah la yah
Lead –Oh oh la la si kah si kah la yah
Group - La la si kah si kah la yah
Lead- Oh, we’re still calling African soldiers
Group - La la si kah si kah la yah
Lead- African soldiers who fought for freedom
Group - La la si kah si kah la yah
Lead -[Person’s name] an African soldier
[follow this pattern for three more persons whose name I didn't understand]
Sekou Toure an African soldier
Group - La la si kah si kah la yah
Lead -[Person’s name] an African soldier
Group - La la si kah si kah la yah
Lead –La la si kah si kah la yah
[same instrumental as in the beginning of the song]
Lead - woh yoh woh yah
Group- woh yoh who yah
Lead -woh yoh woh yah woh yah
Group-woh yoh who yah
Lead -I want to tell of the African soldiers
Group-woh yoh who yah
Lead - African soldiers who fight for freedom
woh yoh woh yah
I want to tell of the African soldiers now
woh yoh woh yah
African soldiers who fought for freedom
Some are dead and some are living
woh yoh woh yah
Those that are dead are still fighting oh
woh yoh woh yah
Those that are living are still fighting
woh yoh woh yah
___? African soldiers
woh yoh woh yah
Lead -[Person’s name] an African soldier
Group - woh yoh woh yah
[follow this pattern for two more persons whose name I didn't understand]
Some are ___ African soldiers
Group - woh yoh woh yah
__? African soldiers
Group - woh yoh woh yah
__? African soldiers
Group - woh yoh woh yah
[follow this pattern for two more persons whose name I didn't understand]
Lead -African soldiers ____?
Group - woh yoh woh yah
Lead - Show your power, African people now
Group - awoh wah
awoh wah
From economical crisis
awoh wah
I said save your people
awoh wah
From political nonsense
awoh wah
Will you save your people
awoh wah
From economic shackles
awoh wah
I said save your people
awoh wah
From political avarice
awoh wah
I said save your people
awoh wah
From economic shackles
awoh wah
Attention, African soldiers
Lead & Group- Group - La la si kah si kah la yah
Lead – Oh, la la si kah si kah la yah
Group- La la si kah si kah la yah
Lead – I’m still calling all African soldiers
Group- La la si kah si kah la yah
Lead – African soldiers who fought for freedom
Group- La la si kah si kah la yah
Lead -Nelson Mandela is an African soldier
Group- La la si kah si kah la yah
Lead –Yes, Nelson Mandela is an African soldier
Group- La la si kah si kah la yah
Lead – Desmond Tutu is an African soldier
Group
[the lead mentions several more persons whose names I didn't understand]
La la si kah si kah la yah

[instruments]
-snip-
Transcription by Azizi Powell. Additions & corrections are very much appreciated.

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RELATED LINK
Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=362_c83KDvw for a "recreated version" of this song. This version was included in the 2011 Ghanaian movie Somewhere In Africa.* In addition to some of the African leaders mentioned in the original song & other African leaders, this version "name checks" [gives a shout out] to such famous African Americans & Black Caribbeans as Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Marcus Garvey.

*Click http://www.ghanacelebrities.com/2011/04/24/new-movie-%E2%80%98somewhere-in-africa%E2%80%99-starring-majid-michel-martha-ankomah-eddie-nartey-david-dontoh-roselyn-ngissah-kofi-adjorlolo-others%E2%80%A6 for information about this movie.

This video shows African teens dressed in their school uniform dancing. Included among those teens is a heavyset girl who is highlighted perhaps for comic effect.

WARNING - The viewer comment thread of this video includes a considerable amount of profanity, racist comments, and argumentative exchanges.

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Thanks to Sonny Okosun and all those Black persons who maintained their integrity & worked positively on behalf of freedom.
Thanks to the publishers on Youtube of this sound file & these related videos.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

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King Sunny Ade - Suku Suku Bam Bam (sound files, information, & comments)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases two YouTube sound files of King Sunny Ade performing "Suku Suku Bam Bam" and three other songs.

Information about JuJu music and information about King Sunny Ade is also included in this post.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

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INFORMATION ABOUT JUJU MUSIC
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%B9j%C3%BA_music
"Jùjú is a style of Nigerian popular music, derived from traditional Yoruba percussion. The name comes from a Yoruba word "juju" or "jiju" meaning "throwing" or "something being thrown." Juju music did not derive its name from juju, which "is a form of magic and the use of magic objects or witchcraft common in West Africa, Haiti, Cuba and other South American nations." It evolved in the 1920s in urban clubs across the countries, and was believed to have been created by AbdulRafiu Babatunde King, popularly known as Tunde King. The first jùjú recordings were by Tunde King and Ojoge Daniel from the same era of the 1920s when Tunde King pioneered it. The lead and predominant instrument of Jùjú is the Iya Ilu,"' talking drum. Some Jùjú musicians were itinerant, including early pioneers Ojoge Daniel, Irewole Denge and the "blind minstrel" Kokoro...

Jùjú music is performed primarily by artists from the southwestern region of Nigeria, where the Yoruba are the most numerous ethnic group. In performance, audience members commonly shower jùjú musicians with paper money; this tradition is known as "spraying."
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-african-custom-of-spraying-money.html for one pancocojams post on the custom of "spraying". Links to other pancocojams posts on that subject are included in that post.

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INFORMATION ABOUT KING SUNNY ADE
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Sunny_Ad%C3%A9
" "King" Sunny Adé (born Sunday Adeniyi, September 22, 1946) is a popular performer of Yoruba Nigerian jùjú music and a pioneer of modern world music. He has been classed as one of the most influential musicians of all time.[1]

Adé was born to a Nigerian royal family in Ondo, thus making him an Omoba of the Yoruba people.[2][3] His father was a church organist, while his mother was a trader. Adé left grammar school in Ondo under the pretense of going to the University of Lagos. There, in Lagos, his mercurial musical career started…
Sunny Adé's music is characterised by, among other instruments, the talking drum - an instrument indigenous to his Yoruba roots, the guitar and his peculiar application to jùjú music,[6][7] that would easily put him in the same class as guitar musicians like Santana. His music is in the age old tradition of singing poetic lyrics ("ewi" in Yoruba) and praise of dignitaries as well components of Juju (traditional African belief) called the Ogede (casting a spell). Hence, Adé's music constitutes a record of the oral tradition of his people for posterity.

Sunny Adé was the first to introduce the pedal steel guitar to Nigerian pop music. He was the first to introduce the use of synthesizers, clavinet, vibraphone, tenor guitar into the jùjú music repertoire such as dub and wah-wah guitar licks.

...[The] seminal recording [Juju Music in 1982] is often acclaimed as one of the most important records from Africa. Adé gained a wide following with this album and was soon billed as "the African Bob Marley".
-snip-

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FEATURED SOUND FILES
Example #1: King Sunny Ade - Samba/Suku suku bam bam/Appreciation/Ogidan onise barber


Naija OldSkool, Uploaded on Feb 10, 2012

King Sunny Ade tracks:
Samba
Suku suku bam bam
Appreciation
Ogidan onise barber
-snip-
"Suku Suku Bam Bam" begins at 5:08 to 14:45.

"Suku suku" is pronounced “shoo-koo” “shoo-koo”.

I wonder if there's any connection between the phrase "Suku Suku" and the name for the Cuban "sucu sucu" genre of music, if not the music itself. Click http://www.cubanow.net/articles/what-was-sucu-sucu-cuban-music for information about that Latin musical genre.

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Example #2: King Sunny Ade - Suku Suku Bam Bam (Audio)



planetolusola, Uploaded on Jan 1, 2009
KSA forever.
-snip-
Here are three comments from this sound file's viewer comment thread http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lw8C0gHh2Z0

Outreachat, 2009
"Good new version; but the true collector's item is the 1976 original, from where this excerpt, "Oro Igbagbo" (Matters of Faith) comes. Sunny Ade's reprises of his earlier music are tending toward a more stable orchestral tempo, in contrast to the raw energy of his old self; the original "Suku suku bam bam" was unique in its extremely tight control, so early in his career, at age 30. Only "E kilo fomo ode", 1974, could boast the same orchestral discipline at the time. Hollywood Walk of Fame? Wow!"
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Agogoja Ti ndun kango kango, 2010
Guys/Gals
This is not the original Suku Suku bamu bamu. This was remix for international market not for 9ja version.
Please, I plead to anyone with original to post it and I will donate handy some of money to your favorite high school in Yorubaland
-snip-
“9ja” = naija (a contemporary way of saying & writing “Nigeria”.
**
planetolusola, 2010
"Good translation temiwale88. KSA also said:
"Oro Igbago lo mumi gori oke lo
Mobo lowo ota, tomi se bi ore simi"
"It is the words of faith that send me into high retreat, I'm finally free from my enemies who appears as friends to me"

KSA is the ultimate Yoruba linguist, always using verbs and proverbs to instruct. He is the ultimate 'Afilu komo lede'
-snip-
Unfortunately, the comment that this is in reply to no longer exists.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to King Sunny Ade for his musical legacy. Thanks to the other musicians in these recordings. Thanks also to the YouTube publishers of these sound files.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

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Wura Samba's Nigeria Music Is Spiritual AND It Rocks!

Edited by Azizi Powell

While surfing YouTube the other day for videos of Samba music, I happened upon a video by Wura Samba and I LOVED it. Of course, that meant that I had to watch all of Wura Samba's YouTube videos -there are about five of them online, not counting replications. And of course, I knew that I had to showcase at least some of those videos on this blog. So Wura Samba, this post is for you.

Unfortunately, I can find nothing online about Wura Samba and his group. Most of his videos were posted between August 2012 and December 2012. To date, each of the videos have only a small number of viewers, and no comments.

In searching further, I found a short video of Wura Samba (with that name written as "wurasamba" which was posted by ExxSt in July 2008 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYdTa6ZoKkc
(I'm not sure if "Wura Samba" or "wurasamba" is the lead musician's name or the name of the group). And again that YouTube video very few views, and no comments.

Okay, come on folks - These songs are too good to be overlooked.

In a summary to one of his videos- IBA ELEDUA BY WURASAMBA@ FREEDOM PARK FELABRATION 12- Wura Samba describes his compositions as "Afrofolklore Percussion Music". In a summary of a video of his composition "Otito", Wura Samba describes it as "Traditional Folk Afro Music". And in a summary of another video of his composition "Alute", http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO4beggAqRc, Wura Samba describes it as "a folk song".

In my opinion, those labels don't adequately describe Wurasamba's music. And, even more to the point, I think that they do damage to people's consideration of that music. I'm not a music critic. BUT, when I think of African folk music, I don't think of the music that is featured on those YouTube videos of Wura Samba & his group. the label "AfroFolk Music" is a turn off. Rightly or wrongly, to most people in the United States, the label "folk music" is toxic. "Folk music" calls to mind images of old White people strumming on an acoustic guitar and singing really old songs or new ones that they wrote, since they believe they will be the next Bob Dylan.

Maybe that's one of the reasons why Wura Samba's videos aren't getting that much play on YouTube. Maybe Wura Samba should label his music some more modern sounding name, or maybe he should coin his own label for his music.

When I heard Wura Samba's music, I thought it was Nigerian Jazz that was based on traditional Yoruba rhythms and maybe also traditional Yoruba songs. I concluded that this music was from Yoruba traditions because one of my hobbies is researching the origins & meanings of African names. Most of the song titles for the Wura Samba songs that are on YouTube are from the Yoruba language of Nigeria. "Otito" is the exception as it's from the Igbo Nigerian language. The name "Wura" means "gold" in the Yoruba language. I'm not sure if "Samba" is a Yoruba name element or word or if that musician made up that name [for himself or his group?] to mean something like "golden Samba" (music). In my opinion, "Nigerian Samba" would be a much better label for Wura Samba's music than "AfroFolk Music". But then again, I know too little about Samba music to say whether his music actually sounds like Samba music.

Maybe Wura Samba should call his (or their) music "Nigerian Jazz" - which is what I thought it was. Then, of course, he could say (because it certainly appears to be true) that his compositions are based on or are strongly influenced by traditional Yoruba rhythms and songs. Notice that I suggested the use of the word "traditional" instead of "folk". The word "traditional" has good connotations. The word "folk" has bad connotations.

Or maybe Wura Samba ("Wurasamba"?) needs to make up a whole new music genre for his [their] music and then market the heck out of that music using that new label.

Wura Samba's music is spiritual and it rocks, It deserves far more attention on YouTube and elsewhere online* then that music has gotten thus far.
*and also off-line but for all I know, Wurasamba may be doing very well outside of the Internet.

I offer these suggestions out of love for this music and hope that my words won't be taken the wrong way.

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FEATURED VIDEOS
(These videos are posted in chronological order by the date of their posting on YouTube, with the oldest post presented first.)

Example #1: wurasamba



ExxSt,Uploaded on Jul 3, 2008

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Example #2: ELEBOTO BY WURASAMBA



wura samba Published on Aug 30, 2012

MEANS GOOD THINGS
-snip-
This summary statement means that in English the [Yoruba] word "Eleboto" means "good things".

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Example #3: OTITO



wura samba, Published on Aug 30, 2012
-snip-
This is one of the two videos of "Otito" by Wura Samba that can be found on YouTube.

With or without another word, "Otito" is used very often as a Nigerian song title. It appears to me that many of these songs are religious, since "Olotito" is an Igbo (Nigerian) praise name for God which means "The Truthful" http://www.nigerianchurchonline.com/blog/names-god-yoruba-language-oruko-ati-oriki-olorun.

"Otito" is also an Igbo male and female name that is a shortened form of various names such as "Otitodilinna or Otitodilichukwu or Otutodilichukwu or Otutodilinna" http://culture.chiamaka.com/IgboNames/igbonamesosoz.htm. According to that website, "Otito" means "Glory be to God."

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Example #4: IBA ELEDUA BY WURASAMBA@ FREEDOM PARK FELABRATION 12.



wura samba,Published on Dec 3, 2012

ITS AN AFROFOLKLORE PERCAUSION MUSIC
-snip-
This is the first Wura Samba video that I happened upon.

I used Google to try to suss out the meaning of the title "Iba Eledu", and started with the name "Eledu". Google search gave me hits for the orisa (god) name Elegba (Eleggua, Elegu, Legba). Here's some information on Eleggua from http://santeriachurch.org/the-orishas/eleggua/:
" Eleggua (also spelled Elegua, Elewa, Elegba or Legba) is the most important of the orishas in Santeria. Elegua was the first orisha created by Olodumare and he existed prior to and witnessed creation unfold. He is the key to any of our religious practices, for without Elegua’s blessings nothing can proceed, transpire nor succeed in the world. Eleggua is the owner of all roads, crossroads, and doors. He is the power that allows all of the ache in the universe to move from point A to point B. Elegba allows our prayers to reach the orishas. Elegba allows ache to flow in ebó so that our fate may be changed. He facilitates divination (diloggun, obi, okuele or any other form of divination) by communicating to and for the other orishas, and to Olodumare herself"...
-snip-
When I did a Google search for the word "Iba", I got hits for the word "Ifa". Here's some information on the Yoruba word "Ifa" from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If%C3%A1:
"Ifá originated in West Africa in the form of a stringent Yoruba philosophy, and is celebrated in traditional African medicine, Santería (referred to as Lukumi), Candomblé, West African & Diaspora Vodou, and similarly in Orisa'Ifa lineages all over the globe."...
-snip-
The word "Ifa" is also used online (at least) as a generalized term for traditional Yoruba religion.

Now you can see why I said that Wura Samba's music is spiritual.
And when you hear that music, you'll see why I said that it rocks, although I hasten to say that by "rocks" I mean it has a great percussive sound, and NOT that it is a part of the American Rock music genre.

I'm glad I cleared that up.

Enjoy!

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
My thanks to Wura Samba for composing and performing these featured songs. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aessthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome.

Read More

Examples Of Yoruba Songs Praising Oluwa (God)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases seven Yoruba (Nigeria, West Africa) songs praising Oluwa. The English translation for the Yoruba word "Oluwa" is "Lord" (God).

A bonus sound file of the South African/American song "(Oluwa) Many Rains Ago" is also included in this post.

The content of this post is presented for historical, religious, inspirational, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

FEATURED EXAMPLES
(These songs are featured in the order of their posting date with the oldest dates presented first).

Example #1: NIGERIAN MUSIC BABA ARA-OLUWA OSE



AYO PRAISE, Uploaded on Jan 1, 2009

YORUBA PRAISESONG

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Example #2: Oluwa ku ise. Goodwomen Choir



teddyman4, Uploaded on Oct 18, 2009

C.A.C Goodwomen choir Ibadan led by Mrs D.A Fasoyin.From the Odun yi
Atura album
-snip-
The English translation of “Oluwa ku ise” is “Marvelous God”.

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Example #3: C&S (AYO NI O)- TI OLUWA NI ILE (FULL ALBUM)



walizono2002, Uploaded on Dec 31, 2010

THE CHORISTERS BAND OF CHERUBIM & SERAPHIM MOVEMENT

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Example #4: Benita- Oluwa



Danmarughu, Uploaded on May 31, 2011
-snip-
Here's the lyrics to this song that were posted on this video's viewer comment thread in 2012 by AbiAdegboye (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aA0hd_G6lLI

God is working...He is working, you don't know.
God is working...He is working, you don't suspect (repeats both lines)

Stand up, stand up, I say stand up from sadness
Stand up, stand up, I say stand up from worry

stand up from unbelief; stand up from weariness
It's time; your time...
That the Lord will fix your problem....
(song repeats)

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Example #5: Solomon Ilori And His Afro-Drum Ensemble - Ise Oluwa (God's Work Is Indestructible)



Uploaded by 1blue1 on Aug 12, 2011

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Example #6: Ebenezer Obey - Iba fun Oluwa/Gbebemi Oluwa/Olomi gbo temi/Anjade loni eledumare



Naija OldSkool, Uploaded on Dec 8, 2011

Ebenezer Obey compilation with the tracks Iba fun Oluwa/Gbebemi Oluwa/Olomi gbo temi/Anjade loni eledumare.
-snip-
"Naija" is a contemporary Nigerian colloquial way of saying "Nigeria and "Nigerian". "OldSkool" (old school) is an African American originated colloquial way of refering to something that is from the past. Often, as is the case with this example, indicating that something is "old school" is more than a factual referent, but has at least a bit of a compliment.

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Example #7: Sonnie Badu - ESE OLUWA - Colours of Africa (Recorded Live in London)



Deliciouswinfred, Uploaded on Feb 7, 2012
-snip-
Here are lyrics to this song as posted in 2012 by Justina Ashietey & xgenera on this video's viewer comment thread:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl99EWwtw4E

Ese Oluwa, Ese Baba O,
Ese Oluwa,
Ao adokpe Baba

You gave me shelter when i have no other
You pave a way, where there is no way
You turn my darkness into light,
Ao adokpe Baaba....

You put food on my table daddy....
You comfort me when i was lost...
Who can be compared unto you....
Ao adopke Baaba
… [chorus] Eshe Oluwa Eshe baba o Eshe Oluwa Awadupe baba
[verse]
He gave me shelter when I have no other
He made a way when there'as no way
He turn my darkness into light
Awadupe baba
You put food on my table daddy
You comfort me when I was lost
Who can be compared unto you
Awadupe baba
[bridge] Baba way Baba way
dey for heaven now
oh We go praise you now
Eee We go praise you baba
-snip-
Here's another comment from that same viewer comment thread that was posted by shalom peace, 2013
“eshe (thank) Oluwa (God). Thank you God! Awadupe means we are grateful.”

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BONUS SOUND FILE: LETTA MBULU MANY RAINS AGO [OLUWA]



SuperXavier30Uploaded on Oct 24, 2009

Deeply Emotive Song From Letta Mbulu,Who Perfomed This In Both English & In The Native Nigerian Language,Yoruba.
-snip-
Here's some information about (Oluwa) "Many Rains Ago" from http://soulsafari.wordpress.com/2010/09/14/play-of-the-day-letta-mbulu-kilimanjaro-1981/
"‘Oluwa (Many Rains Ago)’ was originally written by Caiphus Semenya years before it was included as the African theme in the soundtrack for the TV movie ‘Roots’ (1977), composed and arranged by Quincy Jones."
-snip-
From http://www.discogs.com/artist/Caiphus+Semenya
"South African composer, musician, and husband of singer Letta Mbulu.

In the late sixties, he settled in Los Angeles on account of the apartheid policies back home and teamed up with people like Harry Belafonte and Quincy Jones as well as compatriots Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba and Jonas Gwangwa."

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RELATED LINKS
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/01/various-interpretations-of-ise-oluwa.html Various Interpretations Of Ise Oluwa

http://www.jollynotes.com/gods-names-in-yoruba/
The Names of God in Yoruba Language, along with their meanings in English

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to the composers of these songs, and thanks to all of the musicians and vocalists who are featured in these examples. My thanks also to the author of the article that is quoted in this post, and to the uploaders of these featured sound files and videos.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome.

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