African Gospel Lyrics

(Sung in Kiswahili)

Mdomo uliponza kichwa (The mouth harmed the head) — A proverb meaning words have consequences.
Chunga sana kinywa chako (Guard your mouth carefully)
Usinene mabaya (Do not speak evil)
Usinene mabaya (Do not speak evil)
Baraka, upate baraka (That you may receive blessings)

Leo unaongea juu yangu (Today you speak about me)
Kesho yatakuzunguka wewe (Tomorrow you will face the same)
Ukimtupa mwenzio kwa kivuli (If you throw your neighbor to the shadows)
Kesho mwanga utakukosa tena (Tomorrow you will miss the light)
Ukicheka machozi ya jirani (If you laugh at your neighbor’s tears)
Ukilia nani atabaki? (When you cry, who will remain to comfort you?)
Kile unachokisema kwa hasira (What you say in anger)
Kinarudi moyoni (Returns to the heart)
Kinapunguza pole (It slowly erodes you)

Wewe sema wema (Speak goodness)
Ukisema sema kwa upenda (When you speak, speak with love)
Wewe koma tamaa ya laana (Stop the desire to curse)
Ukimwaga uchungu (For when you pour out bitterness)
Utakunywa mwenyewe (You will drink it yourself)

Refrain:
Mdomo uliponza kichwa (The mouth put the head at risk)
Chunga sana kinywa chako (Guard your mouth carefully)
Usinene mabaya (Do not speak evil)
Usinene mabaya (Do not speak evil)
Baraka, upate baraka (That you may receive blessings)
Baraka, baraka (Blessings, blessings)
Ukitamka heri, heri itarudi (If you declare good, good will return)
Ukitupa moto, moto utakuchoma (If you throw fire, it will burn you)
Mdomo uliponza kichwa (The mouth endangered the head)
Chunga sana kinywa chako (Guard your mouth carefully)

Ulisema hatafanikiwa (You said they would not succeed)
Sasa unaangalia kwa wivu (Now you watch their success with envy)
Maneno yako yanakufunga miguu (Your words are tying your own feet)
Unabaki pale pale (You remain in the same place)
Unaumia kimya kimya (You suffer silently)
Ukimdharau aliye chini (If you despise the one below you)
Utakutana naye juu ya ngazi (You will meet them in their ascent)
Ukitia uchungu kwenye damu (If you put harbor bitterness within you)
Utasahau ladha ya amani moyoni (You will forget the taste of peace in your heart)

Wewe sema wema (Speak goodness)
Ukisema sema kwa upenda (When you speak, speak with love)
Usiweke sumu kwenye ndimi (Do not poison with your tongue)
Ukiwasha vita, vita vitabaki kwako (If you start a war, it will remain with you)

(Refrain)

Kuna mbegu inachipuka (There is a seed sprouting)
Utapanda nini leo? (What will you plant today?)
Kesho utakuta shamba lako (Tomorrow you will find your field)
Kwa kila laana kuna mlango unafungwa (With every curse, a door is closed)
Ukibariki wengine, baraka zako zinaongezeka (When you bless others, your blessings increase)

(Refrain)