– The elegance of Yoruba Language is reflected in many ways – including their chants

Fọn, fọn, ni t’ifọ́n,

Àsùn má p’ara’dà ni t’igi àjà!

Omodé ló ní nkú,

Á sùn fọn, fọn, kò ní jí.

Àgbà ló ní kí nrùn,

Á sùn bí igi àjà, kò ní p’ara’dà.

Ojú oró ní’nlé’kè omi,

Òṣíbàtà ní’nlé’kè odò;

Èmi ló ma l’ékè gbogbo ọ̀tá!

(ENGLISH TRANSLATION BY DELE AJAJA)

The deep-sleeper reposes deeply,

The ceiling beam idles, without stirring!

The fledgling that wishes me death,

Shall slumber without rousing.

The adult that wants me expired,

Shall idle like the ceiling beam, without stirring.

Water lettuce floats on water,

Water-lilies repose on the stream;

I shall soar above all adversaries!

IMAGE: Water-lilies repose on the stream.

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