African Gospel Lyrics

(Sung in Kiswahili)

‘Na huzuni rohoni, mimi siimbi nalia (My heart is sorrowful  I do not sing but  cry)
Namlilia Malebo amekataa kuokoka (I cry for Malebo who has refused to be saved)
Nilizoimba ni nyingi nikimuonya Malebo (I have sung many songs warning Malebo)
Bado hajabadilika, sasa siimbi nalia (He still has not changed; now I do not sing but cry)

Ye’ ni wangu rafiki tuliyesoma pamoja (He is my friend whom we studied together)
Michezo ya utotoni tuliicheza pamoja (We played childhood games together)
Sasa ni watu wazima na mimi nimeokoka (Now we are adults and I am saved)
Malebo nikimwambia, ye’ anaruka kimanga (When I tell Malebo, he dismisses it)

Si yeye pekee yake ninao wengi rafiki (He is not the only one; I have many friends)
Niliwaimba kimbele kwenye kaseti ya pili (I sang about them earlier on the second cassette)
Wengine wamekubali wamemwamini Mwokozi (Others have accepted the Savior)
Yesu amewasamehe, amebakia Malebo (Jesus has forgiven them; only Malebo remains)

—

Tangu zamani huwa akinitafuta (He’s searched for me a long time)
Aninunulie chang’aa, bangi, sigara na beer (To buy me local brew, weed, cigarettes and beer)
Nikimwambia Malebo ninunulie chakula (When I tell Malebo to buy me food)
Matusi ‘tanitukana amelalia maskio (He insults me, and does not listen)

‘Menitusi Malebo uongo kuninenea (Malebo has insulted me and lied about me)
Mimi nimemsahehe najua tatizo lake (I have forgiven him for I know his problem)
Yeye mtumwa wa dhambi anataka ukombozi (He is a slave of sin who needs deliverance)
Mpaka ‘takapokubali, Yesu atamkomboa (Until he accepts, and Jesus redeems him)

Nakuita Malebo uje kwa Yesu utubu (I call to you Malebo, come to Jesus and repent)
Yeye ni mwenye huruma atakusamehe kabisa (He is merciful; He will forgive you )
Jina lako la Malebo litaandikwa mbinguni (Your name, Malebo, will be written in heaven)
‘takuwa kiumbe kipya, ya kale yote ‘tapita (You will become a new creation; all old things will pass away)

—

Mkumbuke Mrefu alivyokuwa mbaya (Remember how Mrefu used to be bad)
Tangu alipokubali kumpa Yesu maisha (Since he accepted to give his life to Jesus)
Ameshambadilisha sio Mrefu wa kale (He has been changed, he’s no longer the old Mrefu)
Sasa anaihubiri injili yake Mwokozi (Now he preaches the Savior’s gospel)

Nawajua vizuri Pili na Tatu pamoja (I know Pili and Tatu very well)
Walivyokuwa wakali watoto wa mtaani (How tough they were as street children)
Sasa wameshaokoka wamechanua vizuri (Now they are saved and are flourishing)
Wote wameshaolewa wana watoto nyumbani (They are all married and have children at home)

‘Meshanawa mikono, damu yako sighairi (I no longer have have a dispute with you)
Yesu anayekupenda, njoo kwake anakuita (Jesus who loves you, is calling you)
Unanijua vizuri, sina haja kueleza (You know me well, I don’t need to explain)
Yesu ‘linibadilisha, nawe ‘takubadilisha (Jesus changed me, and He will change you too)

—

Anakuita ulivyo, uje akubadilishe (He is calling you as you are, come to be changed)
Acha kutia mashaka anajua kazi yake (Stop doubting; He knows His work)
Kazi yako kuamini, kutubu makosa yako (Your role is to believe and repent your sins)
Ya Yesu ni kusamehe, na kukuosha kabisa (Jesus’ work is to forgive and to cleanse you)

Hima njoo kwa haraka, wacha kusita Malebo (Come quickly Malebo, stop hesitating)
Ona ulivyochakaa meno sita wametoa (Look how worn out you are; you’ve lost six teeth)
Wale ul’owadanganya ukawaibia mapesa (Those you deceived and robbed)
Wengine wameshaapa watakung’oa mengine (Others have vowed they will pull out more of your teeth)

Sio wote wapole kama unavyoniona (Not everyone is as gentle as me)
Pesa ulizonirusha mimi ‘menyamaza kimya (You scammed me, but I stayed silent)
Sasa wale wa Zaire ul’owaibia madola (Now those from Zaire whom you stole dollars from)
‘Mesema wakikuona macho yako ‘tayang’oa (They say if they see you, they will gouge out your eyes)

—

Najua masikani unakoishi Malebo (I know the places where you live, Malebo)
Jijini Daresalama keko ya Magurumbasi (In Dar es Salaam, Magurumbasi ward)
Pale mjini Arusha uko ungali Mitedi (There in Arusha, you are still in Mitedi)
Na jiji la Nairobi watakupata Majengo (And in Nairobi city, they will find you in Majengo)

Kote nimezunguka sijakuona kabisa (I have searched everywhere to find you)
Wazazi wanisumbua hawakuoni nyumbani (Your parents trouble me wanting to see you)
Mkeo yule wa tano anakutaka nyumbani (That fifth wife of yours wants you at home)
Wale ul’owafukuza wote pia wamerudi (Those you chased away have also returned)

Nakuita Malebo uje kwa Yesu utubu (I call to you Malebo, come to Jesus and repent)
Yeye ni mwenye huruma atakusamehe kabisa (He is merciful; He will forgive you )
Jina lako la Malebo litaandikwa mbinguni (Your name, Malebo, will be written in heaven)
‘takuwa kiumbe kipya, ya kale yote ‘tapita (You will become a new creation; all old things will pass away)