YORUBA EPIC POEM AND ITS ENGLISH TRANSLATION (AKOSORI YORUBA FUN GBOGBO OMO KAARO OOJIIRE)

*ISÉ NI ÒÒGÙN ÌSÉ
Work is the antidote for poverty.

*MÚRA SÍ ISÉ RE, ÒRÉÈ MI
Work hard, my friend.

*ISÉ NI A FI Í DI ENI GIGA
work is used to elevate one in respect and importance
(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 (we 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 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 works hard to earn.

*NÍ Í PÉ LÓWÓ ENI
is the one that lasts in one's hands (while in ones
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 tomorrow.

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

*AYÉ Á YÉ O SÍ TÈRÍN-TÈRÍN
all will honor you with cheers and smiles.

*JÉ KÍ O DI ENI N RÁÁGÓ
wait till you become poor or are struggling to get by.

*KÍ O RÍ BÁYÉ TI Í SÍMÚ SÍ O
and you will see how all grimace at you as they pass you by.

*ÈKÓ SÌ TÚN N SONI Í DÒGÁ
education also elevates one in position.

*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, ÒRÉÈ MI
do not play 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.

Original work by Chief J F Odunjo