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Virtually there is no genuine Yoruba born person that wouldn’t have heard this popular memory verse. It is one of the greatest evergreen songs out there. Parents use it to teach their young ones moral, instill knowledge and encourage hardworking. It widely sang in different schools, televisions, radios etc.
The song was composed by one of the popular Yoruba Authors - J.F. Odunjo. For a proper understanding, each line of the song has been translated to English Language. Find the song below…
Iṣẹ́ ni òògùn ìsẹ̀
Múra sí iṣẹ́, ọ̀rẹ́ mi
Iṣẹ́ ni a fi í di ẹni gíga
Bí a kò bá rẹ́ni fẹ̀yìn tì
Bí ọ̀lẹ là á rí
Bí a kò bá rẹ́ni gbẹ́kẹ̀lé
À á tẹra mọ̀ iṣẹ́ ẹni
Ìyá rẹ lè lówó lọ́wọ́
Bàbá sì lè lẹ́sin léèkàn
Bí o bá gbójú lé wọn
O tẹ́ tán ni
Mo sọ fún ẹ
Ohun tí a kò bá jìyà fún
Kì í lè tọ́jọ́
Ohun ti a ba fara sise fun
Níí pẹ́ lọ́wọ́ ẹni
Apá lará
Ìgúnpá nìyèkan
Bí ayé bá ń fẹ́ ọ lónìí
Bí o bá lówó lọ́wọ́
Ní wọ́n á máa fẹ́ ọ lọ́la
Tàbí tí o bá wà ní ipò àtàtà
Ayé á yẹ́ ọ sí tẹ̀rín-tẹ̀rín
Jẹ́ kí o di eni tí n rágó
Kí o rí báyé ti í yínmú síni
Ẹ̀kọ́ sì tún ń sọni í dọ̀gá
Múra kí o kọ́ ọ dáradára
Bí o sì rí ọ̀pọ̀ ènìyàn
Tí wọ́n ń fi ẹ̀kọ́ se ẹ̀rín rin
Dákun má ṣe fara wé wọn
Ìyà ń bọ̀ fọ́mọ tí kò gbọ́n
Ẹkún ń bẹ fọ́mọ tó ń sá kiri
Má fòwúrọ̀ seré ọ̀rẹ́ mi
Múra síṣẹ́, ọjọ́ ń lọ
Work is the antidote for poverty
Work hard, my friend
Work is a major tool for elevation
If we do not have anyone to lean on
We appear indolent
If we do not have anyone to trust
We simply work harder
Your mother may be wealthy
Your father may have a ranch of horses
If you depend on their riches alone
You may end up in disgrace
I tell you.
Whatever one does not work hard to earn
Usually does not last
The one worked for
Is the one that last in one’s possession
The arm is a relative
The elbow is a sibling
You may be loved by all today
It is when you have money
That they will love you again tomorrow
Or when you are in a respectable position
All will honour you with cheers and smile
Wait till you become poor
And you will see how all grimace at you
Education also promotes to higher position
Work hard to acquire good education
And if you see a lot of people
Making education a laughingstock
Please do not emulate them
Suffering awaits an unserious kid
Weeping is reserved for a truant kid
Never toy with your early years, my friend
Work harder; time is going...
Which of the lines seem confusing that you don't understand? Use the comment section below...
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