Alu Jon Jonki Jon
Fela Kuti Lyrics


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E wa jo o
Ehn, Alu Jon Jonki Jon
Alu Jon Jonki Jon
Iya iya takun wale oo
Iya iya takun wale oo
Gbogbo aiye pa yeye re je
Gbogbo aiye pa yeye re jee
Aja gbe tie o dorun
Aja gbe tie o dorun
Alu Jon Jon I oooo
E wa Jo oo, e wa jo
E wa Jo oo, e wa jo
Ehn, A lu Jon jon ki jon
A lu jon jon ki jon
Iya iya takun wale oo
Iya iya takun wale oo
Gbogbo aiye pa yeye re je
Gbogbo aiye pa yeye re je
A lu jon jon ioo
E bi npa Mi o
Mo fe lo jeun
Mo majapa lo o, asiri tu
Mo majapa lo o, asiri tu
Mon gbo Mon gbo bi mo shey n ke
Mon gbo bi mo shey n han Mon gbo
Mon gbo Mon gbo Mon gbo Mon gbo
Iya iya takun wale oo
Iya iya takun wale oo
Gbogbo aiye pa yeye re je
Efon pa yeye e je o
Erin pa yeye e je o
Kiniun pa yeye e je o
Ekun pa yeye e je o
Ajapa pa yeye e je o
Gbogbo aiye pa yeye e je o
Aja gbe tie o dorun ooooo
Aja gbe tie o dorun ooooo
A lu jon jon ioo
Mon gbo Mon gbo bi mo shey n ke
Mon gbo bi mo shey n han Mon gbo
Mon gbo Mon gbo Mon gbo Mon gbo
Iya iya takun wale oo
Gbogbo aiye pa yeye re je
Alu jon jon ioo
Alu jon jon ki jon
Alu jon jon ioo

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song Alu Jon Jonki Jon by Fela Kuti is primarily in Yoruba, a language spoken in Nigeria. Alu Jon Jonki Jon, which means "chase them away," is an upbeat and energizing Afrobeat tune which features Fela Kuti's signature blend of horns, percussion, and call-and-response vocals. Fela Kuti's lyrics in the song are a call to action to reject the traditional authorities and oppressive figures that have been holding African society back.


The song's repeated use of "Iya iya takun wale oo," which is interpreted as "mama is cursing and calling damnation," is a reference to the frustrated and disenfranchised mothers who have watched their children suffer under colonialism, poverty, and corruption. Fela Kuti uses these lyrics to tie together the themes of the song and the struggles of African people. The song's lyrics also call for unity among Africans, emphasizing the need to come together to effect change in their society and actively fight against oppressive structures of power.


Ultimately, Fela Kuti's song Alu Jon Jonki Jon is a call-to-action for Africans to rise up against oppressive structures of colonialism, poverty, and corruption. The song advocates for unity, hope, resistance, and action in the face of these challenges in order to bring about lasting change for generations to come.


Line by Line Meaning

E wa jo o
Come dance


Ehn, Alu Jon Jonki Jon
Hey, Alu Jon Jonki Jon


Alu Jon Jonki Jon
Alu Jon Jonki Jon


Iya iya takun wale oo
Mother, mother, don't fall down


Iya iya takun wale oo
Mother, mother, don't fall down


Gbogbo aiye pa yeye re je
All the world is waiting to see


Gbogbo aiye pa yeye re jee
All the world is waiting to see


Aja gbe tie o dorun
The dog is chasing its tail


Aja gbe tie o dorun
The dog is chasing its tail


Alu Jon Jon I oooo
Alu Jon Jon is here


E wa Jo oo, e wa jo
Come dance


E wa Jo oo, e wa jo
Come dance


Ehn, A lu Jon jon ki jon
Hey, Alu Jon Jonki Jon


A lu jon jon ki jon
Alu Jon Jonki Jon


Iya iya takun wale oo
Mother, mother, don't fall down


Iya iya takun wale oo
Mother, mother, don't fall down


Gbogbo aiye pa yeye re je
All the world is waiting to see


Gbogbo aiye pa yeye re je
All the world is waiting to see


A lu jon jon ioo
Alu Jon Jon is here


E bi npa Mi o
It's like I'm lost


Mo fe lo jeun
I want to eat


Mo majapa lo o, asiri tu
I'm hiding something, it's a secret


Mo majapa lo o, asiri tu
I'm hiding something, it's a secret


Mon gbo Mon gbo bi mo shey n ke
I keep hearing it, what am I to do?


Mon gbo bi mo shey n han Mon gbo
I keep hearing it again and again


Mon gbo Mon gbo Mon gbo Mon gbo
I keep hearing it, I keep hearing it


Iya iya takun wale oo
Mother, mother, don't fall down


Iya iya takun wale oo
Mother, mother, don't fall down


Gbogbo aiye pa yeye re je
All the world is waiting to see


Efon pa yeye e je o
The Elephant is eating its fill


Erin pa yeye e je o
The Elephant is eating its fill


Kiniun pa yeye e je o
The Lion is eating its fill


Ekun pa yeye e je o
The Tiger is eating its fill


Ajapa pa yeye e je o
The Tortoise is eating its fill


Gbogbo aiye pa yeye e je o
All the animals are eating their fill


Aja gbe tie o dorun ooooo
The dog is chasing its tail


Aja gbe tie o dorun ooooo
The dog is chasing its tail


A lu jon jon ioo
Alu Jon Jon is here


Mon gbo Mon gbo bi mo shey n ke
I keep hearing it, what am I to do?


Mon gbo bi mo shey n han Mon gbo
I keep hearing it again and again


Mon gbo Mon gbo Mon gbo Mon gbo
I keep hearing it, I keep hearing it


Iya iya takun wale oo
Mother, mother, don't fall down


Gbogbo aiye pa yeye re je
All the world is waiting to see


Alu jon jon ioo
Alu Jon Jon is here


Alu jon jon ki jon
Alu Jon Jonki Jon


Alu jon jon ioo
Alu Jon Jon is here




Writer(s): Fela Anikulapo Kuti

Contributed by Addison N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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