Water No Get Enemy
Fela Kuti And The Africa '70 Lyrics


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T'o ba fe lo we omi l'o ma'lo
If you wan' go wash, na water you go use

T'o ba fe se'be omi l'o ma'lo
If you want cook soup, na water you go use

T'o ri ba n'gbona o omi l'ero re
If your head dey hot, na water go cool am

T'omo ba n'dagba omi l'o ma'lo
If your child dey grow, na water he go use

If water kill your child, na water you go use
T'omi ba p'omo e o omi na lo ma'lo

Ko s'ohun to'le se k'o ma lo'mi o
Nothing without water
Ko s'ohun to'le se k'o ma lo'mi o
Omi o l'ota o

Water, him not get enemy!
Omi o l'ota o
Water, him not get enemy!
If you fight am, unless you wan die
Water, him not get enemy!
I say water no get enemy
Water, him not get enemy!
If you fight am, unless you wan die
Water, him not get enemy!
Omi o l'ota o
Water, him not get enemy!
I dey talk of Black man power
Water, him not get enemy!
I dey talk of Black power, I say
Water, him not get enemy!
I say water no get enemy
Water, him not get enemy!
If you fight am, unless you wan die
Water, him not get enemy!
I say water no get enemy
Water, him not get enemy!
I say water no get enemy
Water, him not get enemy!
Omi o l'ota o
Water, him not get enemy!




Omi o l'ota o
Water, him not get enemy!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Fela Kuti And The Africa '70s song Water No Get Enemy emphasize the importance of water in our lives. The opening lines, "If you want to wash, you will use water/If you want to cook soup, you will use water," illustrate how water is the fundamental element that we rely on for our basic daily needs. The following line, "if your head is hot, water will cool it," refers to how water can even help to ease physical and emotional distress.


The lyrics continue, "If your child is growing, they will use water/If water kills your child, you will still use water," highlighting how water is essential for life, and in some cases, unavoidable. Fela Kuti's declaration that "Water, him not get enemy" emphasizes the idea that water is a natural resource that is not in competition with humans, unlike other resources like oil.


The song is a celebration of water and a call to recognize its importance in our natural world. Through his lyrics, Fela Kuti reminds us that water is not only essential for our survival, but it is also a natural resource that we should appreciate and protect. The song calls on people to embrace and value water, and to ensure that it remains accessible to all.


Line by Line Meaning

T'o ba fe lo we omi l'o ma'lo
If you want to wash, you need to use water


T'o ba fe se'be omi l'o ma'lo
If you want to make soup, you need to use water


T'o ri ba n'gbona o omi l'ero re
If you have a headache, water can help to cool you down


T'omo ba n'dagba omi l'o ma'lo
If a child is growing up, they need water


If water kill your child, na water you go use T'omi ba p'omo e o omi na lo ma'lo
Even if water causes harm, we still need it for survival


Ko s'ohun to'le se k'o ma lo'mi o
There is nothing that can replace water


Ko s'ohun to'le se k'o ma lo'mi o Omi o l'ota o
There is nothing that can replace water


Water, him not get enemy!
Water is not something to be feared


If you fight am, unless you wan die Water, him not get enemy!
If you try to fight water, you will most likely lose


I say water no get enemy Water, him not get enemy!
Water is not something we should fight against


I dey talk of Black man power Water, him not get enemy!
Water is a symbol of the strength of black people


I dey talk of Black power, I say Water, him not get enemy!
Water is a powerful symbol of black power


Omi o l'ota o Water, him not get enemy!
Water is not something to be afraid of


I say water no get enemy Water, him not get enemy!
Water is not a foe to be fought against


Omi o l'ota o Water, him not get enemy!
Water is not something to be feared




Lyrics © EMI MUSIC PUBLISHING FRANCE, FKO MUSIC
Written by: KUTI FELA ANIKULAPO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@anitacanada1824

It was 1983 and I had just turned 21 when my late father, Charles Paul, presented me with three albums: Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, and Jimi Hendricks. He explained their similarities, differences, and purpose for existence. I still have all three, along with Bob Dylan. I'm good for life!

@MarkJusty777

Those are better than any presents I ever got for any occasion!

@mattcook3936

You had a wise father indeed.

@dontatmeevr

that's beautiful

@hdpow7688

Blessed

@samensa1

wish i had your dad! <3

102 More Replies...

@KrisScofield

To those just discovering the magic of Fela Kuti, enjoy the ride.

@DrCheeks

thank u. digging it thus far..

@--dial-a-strawberry

Kris thank you😂

@jiaming5269

I am from Malaysia and his music touches my soul

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