(Sung in Yoruba)[AGL’s African Acapella/Choral week 2013]
Refrain: Betelehemu (Bethlehem)
Awa yo, a ri Baba gb’ojule (We rejoice for we have a trustworthy father)
Awa yo, a ri Baba f’eyin ti (We rejoice for we have? a dependable father) (repeat)
Ni bo labe Jesu? (Where was Jesus born)
Ni bo labe bisi? (Where was he born?) (Repeat)
Betelehemu iluwa la, (Bethlehem, city of wonder)
Ni bo labe Baba o daju (That is where Father was born)
Inyi, inyi, furo (Praise, praise, be to Him)
Adupe fun o, jooni, (We thank you, today)
Baba olo reo (Gracious Father)
Papa /Daddy O, wetin na don’t do? (pdg: What can’t you do?)
You bless me, my life you make better
Oh what shall I render, unto the Lord?
For all the good things you have done for me (Repeat)
The things that you go do for me, nobody can do
The miracles up in my way, you […?…]
Eledumare, [yrb:Creator of the universe] nothing compares to you
Kabiye osi [yrb:Almighty God], you’re a wonder in my life
I’ve never seen this kind God before
(Wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder) (Repeat)
Jesus (Nawa o, nawa ya o) [yrb:I’m amazed]x5
(Verse 2)
Oh Eledumare [yrb:Creator of the universe]
Oh Ta lo dabi re? [yrb:Who is like you?]
Ahh Washuba rerewo [..?..]
Kabiye osi [yrb:Almighty God] (Baba) (x?)
Eshe Oluwa, Eshe Baba o (We thank you Lord, we thank you Father)
Eshe Oluwa, Awadupe baba (We thank you Lord, we are thankful Father)
You gave me shelter when I have no other
You made a way when there’as no way
You turn my darkness into light
Awadupe Baba (We are thankful Father)
You put food on my table Daddy
You comfort me when I was lost
Who can be compared unto you
Awadupe Baba (We are thankful Father)
Awadupe baba o, Awadupe baba (We are thankful Father)
Awadupe eledumare, Awadupe baba (We are thankful Father)
Eshe Oluwa, Eshe Baba o (We thank you Lord, we thank you Father)
Eshe Oluwa, Awadupe baba (We thank you Lord, we are thankful Father)
(In Pidgin)
Baba way, Baba way dey for heaven now oh (Father, you are the Heavenly Father)
We go praise you now Eee (We will praise you)
We go praise you papa ( We will praise you Father)
Chorus:
I ba je bee na se nyin O (If that was how to praise You)
O da mi loju maa gbe egun (I’m sure I’d dress up like a masquerade)
Ma bere m’ole bi okoto (I’d dance like a spinning top)
Ma takiti fun O Jesu (I’d somersault for You Jesus)
Ma ba won gb’eyo n’isale Eko (I’d join the “Eyo” parade on Lagos Island)
Ma fi mariwo k’ora fun O (I’d wear palm fronds for You)
A mo bee ko na se n’yin O (But that’s not how to praise You)
To ri wo l’Olorun Alaaye (For You are the living God)
Olorun Alaaye, Olorun Alaaye(Living God, Living God)
Alaaye naa ni o yin O (Only the living can praise You)
Olorun Alaaye (The Living God)
Verse 1:
Alaaye naa ni o yin O o (Only the living can praise You)
Alaaye naa ni o yin O (Only the living can praise You)
Eni to ti ku ko le yin O Baba (The dead cannot praise You, Father)
A kii k’alleluyan fun Sango (No one shouts Alleluia to a dead god like “Sango”)
A f’iwo Olorun Alaaye(But to You only, The Living God)
(Chorus)
Verse 2:
Eni t’olorun miran lehin o (They that follow lesser gods)
Aimokan lo nse ru won (Are just ignorant)
Jesu kii s’egbe Ogun (Jesus is incomparable to gods like “Ogun”)
Beeni kii s’egbe Oya(or even “Oya”)
Ohun l’Olorun Alaaye (He is the Living God)
Olorun Alaaye (The Living God)
Eni to ko j’ale ti o sin O (Those that have vowed not to worship You)
Ohun too da ni o sin o (will end up worshipping the works of Your hands)
Eni o mo o n’lo so p’oo si (Only those that don’t know You, doubt Your existence)
Iwo Olorun Alaaye(O Living God)
Olorun Alaaye (The Living God)
Alaaye naa ni o yin O (Only the living can praise You)
Awa m’oriki e o Baba Agba(We know Your names, Heavenly Father)
Awa mo b’iwon se nyin O Baba Agba(We know how to worship You, Heavenly Father)
Awa m’oriki re o Baba (We have accolades for You, Father)
You are the Mighty God (You are the Mighty God)
You are the King of kings (You are the King of kings)
You are the Great I Am (You are the Great I Am)
You are an Awesome God (You are an Awesome God)
The Living God (The Living God)
Olorun Alaaye (The Living God)
Omo eniyan f’eti si (Son of man listen to me)
oro agba, bi o she l’owuro (that which doesn’t happen at the beginning)
A she lowo ale (often happens at the end)
Verse 1:
Bowun ko pe titi, iya aye wa o n bo wa d’opin (No matter how long, our troubles will end)
Aimola eda lo mu eda saniyan ra (Mens hearts are anxious for tomorrow)
Olorun ti seleri, oro baba ko ni ye (God has promised, and his promises never fail)
Aini gbaggbao lo mu eda raropin (It’s by the lack of faith that men lose hope)
Bi okun n fo, Ti osa n sa, otito wa laaye (Let the ocean, but the truth remains)
Igbabo ni orisun ohun gbogbo (The source of all things is faith)
Chorus:
Ouh, Aye yi ko male (Life is not hard)
Aye ole fun eni to ni gbagbo pe aye ole (For those who believe, life is not hard)[x4 ]
Verse 2:
Oni suuru, ape koto je, koni jebaje (The patient man is always rewarded )
Ai mani suuru lo n mu are eni bo wa debi (When he lacks it he loses his vindication)
F’oju re womi ore k’Oluwa le foju re wo(think well of others and He’ll do the same for you)
Abiku ti d’abiye ninu aye mi (In my life, death has suddenly become life )
(Repeat)
(Chorus)
Bridge:
Aye re ko ma ni le (Your life will not be hard)
Aye to ba ba Olorun rin, o sho ri re (It is good for you if you walk with the Lord)
(Repeat)
Bowun ko pe titi, iya aye wa o n bo wa d’opin (No matter how long, our troubles will end)
African Gospel Lyrics 