Reconnecting with the heritage of my youth in the Socio Heritage Tour I did in August 2022 inspired me to do an Ijaw-inspired song of Praise. I wanted a song that was rhythmically authentically Ijaw. One morning, my younger brother Anthony Akponwei was caught up in worship in Ijaw language, and he sent it to me. I listened to the worship, and it inspired the creation of this song. My intention was to have my brother, my son, and I do the song, but the logistics didn't work out. My brother wasn't able to get on it. "Nanaowei Do" means "God, we thank You".
The song opens with an intro in Nigerian pidgin English:
"Baba, na you we dey look. Na you dey make our belle sweet. Na you cover us from wahala. Everyday, na dance we dey dance for you because of the better better way dem wey you dey show us. Na thank you we get for you, Baba"
Below is the translation of the song, sung in Ijaw. Lead vocals by my son, Tarila Julius Akponwei aka Itz Trendy. Harmonies and backup vocals by yours truly.
"God I thank you. Big Father, I thank you, I greet you.
I ask of life, You gave me life
I ask you for money, You gave me money
I ask of children, You gave me children
God, I thank you, I greet you.
I ask for a house, You gave me a house
I ask for a job, You gave me a job
God, I thank you. Big Father, I thank you. I greet you.
Angiama people come and help me thank my God.
Kaiama people come and help me thank my God.
Agbere people come and help me thank my God.
IDC members come and help me thank my God.
Okrika people come and help me thank my God.
Delta people come and help me thank my God"
Available to download / stream on Apple music, Spotify, Pandora, and every other digital music platform.
Music video coming soon.....
Nice...💪🏿
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