Born to a Nigerian royal family in Ondo, Ade left grammar school to pursue his career, which began with Moses Olaiya’s Federal Rhythm Dandies, a highlife band. He left to form The Green Spots in 1967. He formed a record label in 1974, fed up with being exploited by a major label. Beginning with Juju Music, Ade began gaining a wide following as Mango Records, a subsidiary of Island Records, released his albums. He was soon billed as the African Bob Marley, and headlined concerts in the US. Soon after, Nigerian imports (mostly pirated copies) of his massive back catalog began flooding the Western market. Island, concerned about sales and Adé’s refusal to include more English in his repertoire, cut him loose after his third LP, 1984’s Aura.
By the end of the 1980s, Ade’s star began to dim, and his albums sold less, though he continued to garner critical acclaim and widespread popularity in Africa. 1998’s Odu, a collection of traditional Yoruba songs, was nominated for a Grammy Award. He has also become one of the most powerful people in Nigeria, running multiple companies in several industries.
Mo Beru Agba
King Sunny Ade Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A i beru agba ni o jaiye o gun
Elegbe moni mo beru agba
Agba n'bowa kan e o ee
Agba n'bowa kan e o o laiye nbi
Agba n'bowa kan e o e
Aye o o o (Aye o Aye o e)
Oṣika, ranti ojo atisun re o e
Eni s'ebi (ibi lo mi a j'ere fun)
Eni ba se ka nko o
Ika lo mi a j'ere fun
Bo ba wun e ko s'ere
Ire lo mi a j'ere re
Bo wun e ko se ka
Ika lo mi a j'ere re
Bofe bofe
Esan a ke lori e
Esan a ke lori e
Odale se o ngbo (esan a ke lori re)
Nje mo d'ifa titi mo mu re ko ifa
No da da mo mu re 'di ope
Nje mo d'ifa titi mo mu re ko ifa
No da da mo mu re 'di ope
Ope mi ti ti mo se b'ojo lo ro
Ojo pami lapa kan lapa kan mi
Ojo pa mi o mase p'oremi
Ah agbo 'ba mi digi ogi
Tio loko tiolo
Agbo 'ba mi digi ogi
Tio loko tiolo
Rasaki ijo ti ya o
Tio loko tiolo
Agbo 'ba mi digi ogi
Tio loko tiolo
The phrase “Mo Beru Agba” means “I Respect Elders”. This is a traditional Yoruba phrase which has been incorporated into the lyrics of King Sunny Ade's song. The opening line, “Mo beru agba, mo beru agba o” (I respect the elders) is a tribute to the wisdom, experience, and knowledge possessed by people who have lived long enough to become elders. The song stresses the importance of respecting the elderly as they are the custodians of history, culture, and traditions.
The song goes on to talk about the challenges of life and how it is important to have wisdom and experience to navigate it successfully. It implores the listener to be patient, respectful, and humble. The phrase “Agba n'bowa kan e o ee” (There is only one elder) serves as a warning against disdain for elders and promotes the idea of respect for the elderly in the Yoruba culture. The song also calls for the listeners to be diligent and hardworking, and to persevere through hard times.
Overall, King Sunny Ade's song Mo Beru Agba celebrates and promotes the Yoruba culture and tradition of respect for elders, hard work, and perseverance. It is a tribute to the wisdom and experience of the elderly, and a call to the younger generation to learn from them and carry on the traditions.
Line by Line Meaning
Mo beru aagba (mo beru agba, mo beru agba o)
I respect the elderly (I respect the elderly, I respect the elderly)
A i beru agba ni o jaiye o gun
If you don't respect the elderly, life will be difficult for you
Elegbe moni mo beru agba
The drummer also knows that I respect the elderly
Agba n'bowa kan e o ee
There is only one way to be an elder
Agba n'bowa kan e o o laiye nbi
There is only one way to live a long life
Agba n'bowa kan e o e
There is only one way to be an elder
Aye o o o (Aye o Aye o e)
Life is unpredictable (Life is unpredictable)
Oṣika, ranti ojo atisun re o e
Farmer, remember the day of rest
Iwo odale, ranti ojo atisun re o e
You wealthy one, remember the day of rest
Eni s'ebi (ibi lo mi a j'ere fun)
Who is this stranger? (this is where I get my food)
Eni ba se ka nko o
Can't you take care of yourself?
Ika lo mi a j'ere fun
It's hunger that brings me here
Bo ba wun e ko s'ere
If you don't want to give, don't bother
Ire lo mi a j'ere re
It's good fortune that brings me here
Bo wun e ko se ka
If you don't want to give, don't bother
Ika lo mi a j'ere re
It's hunger that brings me here
Bofe bofe
Slowly, slowly
Esan a ke lori e
The basket is on your head
Esan a ke lori e
The basket is on your head
Odale se o ngbo (esan a ke lori re)
Wealthy one, can't you hear? (the basket is on your head)
Nje mo d'ifa titi mo mu re ko ifa
I have been consulting the oracle since I was born
No da da mo mu re 'di ope
I give thanks for what I have received
Nje mo d'ifa titi mo mu re ko ifa
I have been consulting the oracle since I was born
No da da mo mu re 'di ope
I give thanks for what I have received
Ope mi ti ti mo se b'ojo lo ro
I have been thanking God since yesterday
Ojo pami lapa kan lapa kan mi
Yesterday, I had only one penny
Ojo pa mi o mase p'oremi
Yesterday is gone, I don't worry about it anymore
Ah agbo 'ba mi digi ogi
Oh, my dear father, please give me cornmeal
Tio loko tiolo
It's boiling so much
Agbo 'ba mi digi ogi
Oh, my dear father, please give me cornmeal
Tio loko tiolo
It's boiling so much
Rasaki ijo ti ya o
Rasaki's dance is cool
Tio loko tiolo
It's boiling so much
Agbo 'ba mi digi ogi
Oh, my dear father, please give me cornmeal
Tio loko tiolo
It's boiling so much
Writer(s): KING SUNNY ADE
Contributed by Mia O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Clarice
on Moti Mo
This was very helpful, thanks.
Iwaju
on Ekilo Fomo Ode
Each individual does their thing