In celebration of Valentine’s day which is going to be this Sunday, the song ‘IyawoMi‘ by Nigerian singer Timi Dakolo seems appropriate. The song is about a promise of love to that precious one… it is a ‘forever and for always‘ promise. It is a beautiful song which can be played at weddings as well. And the beat is simply amazing; it is a classic. The chorus: “Iyawo mi, Ololufe mi, Ore mi, Alayo mi, I will love you forever.” In Yorùbá, Iyawo mi= my wife, Ololufe mi= mylover, Ore mi= my friend, Alayo mi= my joy (one who brings mejoy). It could be sung to a man as well, by substituting the words oko mi (myhusband) to iyawomi(mywife). Enjoy and happy Valentine’s day to all… and in reality, one day is not enough to tell that loved one about your love, everyday should be an occasion to declare your love, in some way, shape, or form; because in reality, all we have is today, the present (a gift)… make the best out of it!
To celebrate Mother’s day this Sunday, I just wanted to bring back “Sweet Mother” by Prince Nico Mbarga. “SweetMother” is one of the most popular songs on the African continent, ahead of Miriam Makeba‘s “Malaika“, Franco‘s “Mario“, and Fela Kuti‘s “Lady“. What is so special about this song, is that it is an ode to all our precious mothers, it is often called Africa’s anthem sung by a child to his mother. It is a highlife song sung by Prince Nico Mbarga and his group Rocafil Jazz International, a Cameroonian-Nigerian artist, and the song has rocked many on the continent; Sung in Pidgin English, “Sweet Mother” became one of the top sellers in the history of Nigerian music. It was voted as Africa’s favorite song by BBC in 2004, and many other programs. So, to all the mothers out there, Happy Mother’s Day and enjoy “Sweet Mother“!!!
“Sweet Mother“ by Prince Nico Mbarga
Sweet Mother Sweet mother I no go forget you for the suffer wey you suffer for me.
Sweet mother I no go forget you for the suffer wey you suffer for me.
When I dey cry, my mother go carry me she go say, my pikin, wetin you dey cry ye, ye, stop stop, stop stop make you no cry again oh.
When I won sleep, my mother go pet me, she go lie me well well for bed, she cover me cloth, sing me to sleep, sleep sleep my pikin oh.
When I dey hungry, my mother go run up and down. she go find me something when I go chop oh.
Sweet mother I no go forget you for the suffer wey you suffer for me
When I dey sick, my mother go cry, cry, cry, she go say instead when I go die make she die.
O, she go beg God, God help me, God help, my pikin oh.
If I no sleep, my mother no go sleep, if I no chop, my mother no go chop, she no dey tire oh.
Sweet mother I no go forget you, for the suffer wey you suffer for me.
You fit get another wife, you fit get another husband, but you fit get another mother? No!
And if I forget you, therefore I forget my life and the air I breathe.
And then on to you men, forget, verily, forget your mother, for if you forget your mother you’ve lost your life.
I remember listening to this song on one of the Putumayo‘s CDs. Here is ‘So Long’ by Majek Fashek. This is a song to all Africans, and children of Africa, to arise and awake from their sleep. This is a song about unity, and remembrance of our great heritage. I had to share it with you all. Enjoy! and remember what Majek Fashek says: “Arise from your sleep Africa … There’s work to be done Africa … if we unite, we will be free … we’ve been sitting down for so ooo long …”
Arise from your sleep Africa Arise from your sleep America
There’s work to be done Africa There’s work to be done America
if we unite, we will be free so long, for too long so long, for too long
we’ve been sitting down for so oooo long we’ve been fooling round for too oooo long we’ve been sitting down for so oooo long
so long, so long for too long, for too long
Oh Lord, can you hear me now Oh Lord
Remember, remember, long long time ago when we used to live like prince and princess
Remember, remember, the pyramids of Egypt when we used to live like prince and princess
Remember, remember, Who had a dream for you Africa
Remember, remember, Martin luther King Who had a dream for you America
They say you are black, they say you are brown They say dem white, they say you are brown
But only the Angels of God is white But only the Angels of God is white
so long, so long for too long, for too long we’ve been sitting down for so oooo long we’ve been fooling round for too oooo long
Arise from your sleep Africa Arise from your sleep America
There’s work to be done Africa There’s work to be done America
if we unite, we will be free so long, for too long so long, for too long
Remember, remember, Who had a dream for you Africa
Remember, remember, Martin luther King Who had a dream for you America
Remember, remember, King Selassie Who was betrayed by his people
Remember, remember, Lord Jesus Christ Who died for you and I for salvation
They say you are black,[do you believe?] they say you are brown [do you believe?]
But only the Angels of God is white But only the Angels of Jah is white
we’ve been sitting down for so oooo long we’ve been fooling round for too oooo long
African Heritage 