This translation of Yahweh – Grace Lokwa was done by Nicholas Okereke and Richard Chiabuotu
Vocabulary:
The verb “kosala” means to do, to work, to act etc
“Sala” is the imperative for of the verb.
The 1st Chorus of this song, Yahweh by Grace Lokwa is a popular Lingala “worship” song in the DR Congo. Minister Grace Lokwa made a rendition of the song by adding some original elements of real inspiration and musical innovation.
The following translation will try to capture the meaning of the individual words used. I believe you will be in a better position to derive the full meaning of the song in that way.
He begins the song in tongues, then moves to the 1st Chorus.
1st Chorus (Lingala)
Yahweh, Yahweh sala, Yahweh sala lolenge na yo, sala (2x)
Sala lolenge na yo
Yahweh, Yahweh do/act, Yahweh act in your way, act (2x)
Act in your way
Ad-libs (Lingala)
Kisi ya soni ee (Remedy of shame)
Azalaka kisi ya soni (He is – and continues to be – the remedy of shame)
Moninga na ngai na ntango nyoso (My friend at all times)
VERSE 1 (Lingala)
Ata mokili bafundi ngai na parquet, nazalaki na ngai na raison.
Lokola baza na ba relations na bango na bakonzi nyoso ya mboka oyo eee Yaya ee.
Ba condamner ngai oyo, balobi naza fautif.
Si ngai na fundi bango na parquet ya lola
Yesu yaka kosambisa biso.
Though the world charged me to court (accused me in court), I was the one in the right
Since they have “relationships” with all the leaders of this nation,
They condemned me, they said I was at fault
So I reported them to heaven’s court,
Jesus come and “judge” us (hear our cases)!
1st Chorus (Lingala)
Yahweh, Yahweh sala, Yahweh sala lolenge na yo, sala (2x)
Sala lolenge na yo
Yahweh, Yahweh do/act, Yahweh act in your way, act (2x)
Act in your way
Ad-libs (Lingala)
Bitumba oyo, nakok’obunda ngai moko (I cannot fight these battles alone)
Nabeleli Papa na ngai ee (I call upon my father)
Mokonzi ya milimo ya bato nyoso (The “governor/president” of the spirits of all men)
VERSE 2 (Lingala)
Eza lisusu likambo ya bomoto te (It is no more an issue for humans)
Ekomi likambo lola il faut eloba (It has become an issue requiring heaven to speak)
Intervention ya lola!!! (Heaven’s Intervention)
2nd Chorus (Lingala)
Intervention ya lola
Heaven’s intervention!!!
3rd Chorus (Igbo)
Eze! Eze ebube mo! Eze, I mewo ihe mmadụ apụghị ime.
(King! My glorious king! King, You have done what man cannot do.)
“Eze ndi Eze” ka a na akpọ ya. Eze ma ihe niile, Eze na-achị ebe niile. Eze meporo ihe, o nweghi onye ga-ekpuchi ya.
(“King of kings” is what he is called. The king who knows all things! The king who rules everywhere! The king who opens a thing and no one closes it!)
Eze is a big, Eze is a mighty, Eze is a wonderful, Eze……!
Outro (Lingala)
Eze ebube na ngai, azwa ngai bomwana (My “Eze Ebube”, he picked up – adopted me – in childhood)
Eze ebube na ngai oyo, Yaya eee (My “Eze Ebube”, my senior brother)
