I absolutely love this album. If you haven't heard any of their songs, check out the two top videos in the right navigation to watch the video to the title track. It utilizes a few Yoruba language proverbs to make its point but that doesn't take away from the song's beauty for you non-Yoruba speaking listeners. Forget that last video on how to make semovita, the way the feature was created, there's nothing I can do about it, unless you want to learn how to make semovita, that is.
Anyway, I was saying how much I like the songs on this album. These guys rock! Especially the one with the sexy voice (you'll figure out which one once you've listened to the whole CD.) Like my big sis said, there's nothing wrong in appreciating God's work. Seriously though, they all have nice voices, different style, if you know what I mean. You won't know what I mean if you only listen to "Olori Oko" though. Anyway, it's good to hear something innovative from our people. Cush was another good group with lovely voices and a somewhat original sound but I have no idea what happened to them.
"Olori Oko" really moves me, it's quite a thought-provoking song and you shouldn't miss it just because you didn't pay attention in Yoruba class. I'm all about keeping our heritage alive (watch out for a website coming soon that seeks to serve that purpose) so here are some of the proverbs and sayings and the meanings if you care to know, which you should anyway.
"Aisi'nle Ologbo, l'omu eku sako", literal meaning: The rat is cocky because the cat is not home.
"Yiyo ti ekun yo, ki ma ise t'ojo", literal meaning: The lion moving stealthily is not out of fear
"Agba ki i wa loja k'ori omo tuntun wo", literal meaning: Things cannot go wrong when an elder is around (the actual translation here is: an elder will not sit by idly in the marketplace (or open) while a newborn's head needs straightening)
"Fitila yi to tan, imole ti de" - This bright lantern (or light) has brought light in the midst of darkness
"Olori Oko si mbo wale", literal meaning: The Lord of the harvest is coming soon.
"Afori naa, to to lohun a pe fitila, , ara re ni o pa", literal meaning: The fool who seeks to destroy this light will ultimately kill himself.
"Aro t'oba gbon l'ogun asotele ki i pa", literal meaning: A wise cripple will not die in a predicted war.
"Afojudi omo eniyan fun Olorun Oba, iku lo mu dani", literal meaning: For a man to underestimate God is to ask for death.
Obviously, I can't translate every Yoruba word in the song but I've tried to capture the ones that serve as foundation for the whole song.
Your thoughts, additions, corrections?
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14 comments:
Nice song... thanks for the translation. I fell in love with the song the first time I heard it. I liked it so much i actually went all the way to Naija to get the CD even though I didnt understand everything they said cos the yoruba was a bit too deep.I'd encourage every naija person in the diaspora to get the CD.
Love the song! actually fell in love the first time I heard it. Its really a reminder for me that Christ is coming very very soon and in the mean time have got the power and I know the secret which is Christ!!
Love the conc. yoruba too cos u know am a yoruba lover and it hurts to know that there are alot of yoruba's esp. in my generation (early 20's to late 30's) that have lost the touch just b'cos of trying to be americanized! I just pity the next generation!!
y'all should start a Yoruba Lover's club or something then...
I think this is really cool.
Nice song....thank God you provided translations or else I would have been quite lost!!!
Yes the song is very nice,the arrangement and the voices are unique and creative.The East African/Senegalese vocal feel of one of them(the vocals) is very very 'sweet' -for lack of a better word-.Each song on the whole CD was also well done.Overall, kudos to these men for producing a traditionally deep yoruba yet modern & contemporary gospel song.
Great work.
Please could you translate the full song, I don't know Yoruba and I am not Yoruba but the Olori oko song is a masterpiece and I love it. Please full translation
The writer of this song is rich in African folklore. Beautiful lyrics and good rendition. Keep up the good work
Beautiful translation. This was really helpful
Amazing!
Thanks for the translation
Am still searching for the full translation of this lovely song in 2023
2024 and I’m still searching for the full translation 😂
2025, still searching…
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