From a seed
Iroko's life begins
deeply rooted,
it grows to great heights;
Towaring highabove its neighbours
In contempt powerful wind
tempt to break
Iroko into submission
Its root held firm
Against drastic odds
Iroko towers resolute.
A lighthouse
That sits on solid rock
Will endure raging storm
till the battle is worn out
And its light
Will call lost ships home.
Mirror child of celestial light,
upon your broad shoulders
I rest
May I not fall
If the boisterous blue sea takes
away ancestral wisdom
A river without a source I become,
Slowly evaporating in the heat.
In the abscence of the cat,
The house is invaded by the rat
Who carts away with ancestral mask
A Child keeps the house
Till its father returns
A house a negligent one
Inherits to build
Will lay in ruin,
A child that honours his Egun
Will not suffer neglect
Upon such child,
Clouds of gloom
Shall pass
The celetial òrí
has long melted,
We have offered offerings
To the ancestral alter
Our calabash has been refilled.
New wine deserves new skin,
See the regalia we made in your likeness
Aso Ofi, Aso Oke, Adire and Damask
A regalia of many colours it is,
As flamboyant and graceful as you
Arise
Ancient One,
Saint of celestial order
We have gathered to celebrate you
In one accord;
With ancient tongues
Our Elders are chanting your oriki,
Your children sing your praise
In joy and high spirit
Mothers gather outside
Geared to dance with you
hear the gangan's voice
Mother Rat does not disregard
the call of its offsprings
Hearken to the sound of the gong
Come,
fill us with your prescence
Cool air,
Sweet water,
Bountiful earth.
From darkness comes light
a thunderous roar awakens,
the rythm
Of gongs and gangan
Songs of praise in mother tongue
Fills the mouths of the crowd
Children run around in elation
Àmúludùn the joyous one
As emerged
Her Majestic dance
fills the yard with Grace,
showers of blessings poured
From this benevolent one
Like a pregnant sky,
Long life, peace and wealth
filled our bodies, soul and spirit.
