Water No Get Enemy
Fela Ransome Kuti Lyrics


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

T'o ba fe se'be omi l'o ma'lo
If you wan 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 no get enemy!

Omi o l'ota o
If you fight am, unless you wan die
I say water no get enemy
If you fight am, unless you wan die
Omi o l'ota o
I dey talk of Black man power
I dey talk of Black power, I say
I say water no get enemy
If you fight am, unless you wan die
I say water no get enemy
I say water no get enemy

Omi o l'ota o
Omi o l'ota o

Overall Meaning

Water No Get Enemy by Fela Kuti is a song about the power and necessity of water. The song's message is that water is essential to life and no one can survive without it. The first four lines of the song discuss the various uses of water; for washing, cooking, and cooling down one's head when it's hot. The following lines highlight the importance of water in the growth of a child, and emphasize that even if water causes harm, it is still an essential part of life.


Throughout the song, the relationship between water and humans is likened to that of a friend or ally. Water is seen as a source of power and strength for Black people, and as such, should not be fought against. Fela Kuti urges his listeners to embrace and appreciate the power of water, and to recognize that without it, life would be impossible.


The lyrics of Water No Get Enemy are a reflection of Fela Kuti's strong beliefs in African unity, liberation, and peace. He was known for using his music to inspire and educate, and this song is no exception. The song's message and the infectious Afrobeat rhythms that accompany it have made it a classic that is still relevant today.


Line by Line Meaning

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


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


T'o ri ba n'gbona o omi l'ero re
If your head is hot, water will cool it.


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


If water kill your child, na water you go use
Even if water caused harm, we still need it.


Ko s'ohun to'le se k'o ma lo'mi o
Nothing can be done without water.


Water, him no get enemy!
Water itself is not harmful.


Omi o l'ota o
Water cannot be destroyed.


If you fight am, unless you wan die
Trying to fight water is futile and dangerous.


I dey talk of Black power, I say
I am speaking of the power of black people.




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: KUTI FELA ANIKULAPO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@pablocervantes2317

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!



@SadeWatkins

“To whom it may Concern”
- Stephanie Oderoha

sent me here

Steph if you ever see this
I just read identity
and I’m tearing UP
as i write this
because I just realized
you published under your birth name
(Which obvi makes sense lmaooo)
But for so many other reason
it’s just shows me how much
of your
GOD GIVEN PURPOSE
you’ve EMBRACED

KEEP GOING !!!

Keep
keep going !!!

Always SHINE
Like the Woman of God you are

Love you Forever and Always



All comments from YouTube:

@siphiwemchunu2919

I am a firm beliver in this revolutionarys vision for Nigeria & Africa, so much so that I have named my first born (19/08/17) son Fela ✊

@Hymn43

Right on my brotha ✊🏼

@WILLIEtheGENIUS

✊🏾

@DarlingtonUbek

Power and Respect to you ,✊

@romanpicheta7436

♻️

@lamborghini12345

I am too believer in nigga nation afriqa deswaynsa

3 More Replies...

@nicholenekieviets

@Tyla walking on stage in a green dress this day in 2024, while the live band played Water No Get Enemy by Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti!. Historic #Legend #VivaFela

@anubra266

Hehe...it brought me back here too

@djjamil3033

i used to play this in the morning as I dressed my daughter for school... i'll play this now, and she smiling ear to ear, b/c she remembers this song at 3 years old...

@Backpackfiles

My daughter is 8. This was the bedtime jam tonight.

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