Yoruba Poem

This Yoruba poem by a writer named J.F. Odunjo whose books were written exclusively in Yoruba is one for the ages.

Can anyone remember this poem from primary school?

EVER-GREEN MESSAGES FOR A LASTING LEGACY!

Check this Odunjo ageless Discovery:

ISÉ NI ÒÒGÙN ÌSÉ
Work is the antidote for poverty.

MÚRA SÍ ISÉ RE, ÒRÉ MI
Work hard, my friend.

ISÉ NI A FI Í DI ENI GIGA
Work/Labour is a major tool for elevation.
(Aspiring to higher height is fully dependent on hard work).

BÍ A KÒ BÁ RÉNI FÈYÌN TÌ, BÍ ÒLE LÀ Á RÍ
If we do not have anyone to lean on, we appear indolent.

BÍ A KO RÉNI GBÉKÈLÉ
if we do not have anyone to trust (or can depend on).

À A TERA MÓ ISÉ ENI
we simply work harder.

ÌYÁ RE LÈ LÓWÓ LÓWÓ
Your mother may be wealthy.

BÀBÁ SÌ LÈ LÉSIN LÉÈKÀN
Your father may have a ranch full of horses.

BÍ O BÁ GBÓJÚ LÉ WON
if you depend on their riches alone,

O TÉ TÁN NI MO SO FÚN O
you may end up in shame and disgrace, I tell you.

OHUN TÍ A KÒ BA JÌYÀ FÚN
whatever gain one does not work hard to earn.

KÌ Í LÈ TÓJÓ
usually does not last.

OHUN TÍ A BÁ FARA SISÉ FÚN
whatever gain one seriously Laboured for,

NÍ Í PÉ LÓWÓ ENI
is the one that lasts in one's hands (while in one's
possession).

APÁ LARÁ
the arm is a relative

ÌGÙNPÁ NÌYEKAN
the elbow is a sibling.

BÍ AYÉ N FÉ O LÓNÌÍ
YOU may be loved by all today.

BÍ O BÁ LÓWÓ LÓWÓ
It is when you have money,

NI WON Á MÁA FÉ O LÓLA
that they will love you again tomorrow.

TÀBÍ TÍ O BÁ WÀ NÍ IPÒ ÀTÀTÀ
or when you are in a high or respectable position,

AYÉ Á YÉ O SÍ TÈRÍN-TÈRÍN
All will honour you with cheers and smiles.

JÉ KÍ O DI ENI TI N RÁÁGÓ
wait till you become poor or a struggler,

KÍ O RÍ BÁYÉ TI Í YINMÚ SINI
and you will see how all grimace at you as they pass you by.

ÈKÓ SÌ TÚN N SONI Í DÒGÁ
Education also elevates/promotes to higher positions.

MÚRA KÍ O KÓ O DÁRADÁRA
work hard to acquire good education.

BÍ O SÌ RÍ ÒPÒ ÈNÌYÀN
and if you see a lot of people,

TÍ WÓN N FI ÈKÓ SE ÈRÍN RÍN
making Education a laughing stock.

DÁKUN MÁ SE FARA WÉ WON
please do not emulate or keep their company.

ÌYÀ N BÒ FÓMO TÍ KÒ GBÓN
suffering is lying in wait for an unserious kid.

EKÚN N BE FÓMO TÓ N SÁ KIRI
sorrow is in the reserve for a truant kid.

MÁ FÒWÚRÒ SERÉ, ÒRÉ MI
Never toy with your early years, my friend.

MÚRA SÍSÉ, OJÓ N LO
Work harder; time and tide wait for no one.

Let’s pass it on to our children and friends.

Original work by J.F Odunjo