Lyrics
Verse 1
Kila neno
[Every Word] Litokalo kinywani mwako
[That proceeds from Your mouth] Halitarudi tupu
[Shall not return to You void] Litatimiza kusudi lako
[But shall accomplish the purpose for which You sent it] ---
Chorus
Unaweza [You are able] Unaweza [You are able] Unaweza Bwana [You are able Lord] ---
Verse 2
Hamna jicho lililoona
[No eye has seen] Wala sikio lililosikia
[Nor has any ear heard] Hakuna moyo unaojua
[No heart has conceived] Uliyoandalia wanaokupenda
[The things You have prepared for those who love You] ---
Bridge 1
Je, kuna neno gani gumu
[Is there any difficult thing] Usiloliweza
[That is too hard for You] Kwako yote yanawezekana
[For with You all things are possible] ---
Bridge 2
Niseme nini mimi?
[What have I left to say?] Hallelujah, Amen Kwa yote Umetenda
[For all that You have done] Hallelujah, Amen Niimbe nini mimi?
[What song do I sing?] Hallelujah, Amen Kwa yote Umefanya
[For all You have done] Hallelujah, Amen Umefanya mambo mengi
[You have done many great things] Hallelujah, Amen Kamwaga damu Calivari
[You shed Your blood on Calvary] Hallelujah, Amen Ukapigwa mijeledi
[You were beaten and scourged] Hallelujah, Amen Ndivyo Uniponye mimi
[So that I may be healed] Hallelujah, Amen Kanigeuza mimi Yesu ee…
[Jesus, You have transformed me] Hallelujah, Amen Kanifanya kiumbe kipya
[And made me a new creature] Hallelujah, Amen Nitasema ni asante
[I will say Thank You] Hallelujah, Amen Kwa maana We ni mwema
[Because You are good] Hallelujah, Amen Nitaungana na Malaika
[I will join the angels] Hallelujah, Amen Pamoja na Makerubi
[Together with the creatures] Hallelujah, Amen Nikisema Hallelujah
[Proclaiming Hallelujah] Hallelujah, Amen Hallelujah, Amen!
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
"Unaweza" draws its opening verse from Isaiah's description of God's word accomplishing its purpose, stating that no word from God's mouth "shall not return to You void" but will fulfill what it was sent to do. Alice Kimanzi follows this with a chorus that simply repeats the title phrase - "Unaweza," You are able - addressed directly to God.
The second verse echoes Paul's words about what God has prepared for those who love Him, things no eye has seen and no ear has heard, before the first bridge asks whether anything is too difficult for God, answering that with Him all things are possible. The second bridge shifts into testimony, listing what God has done: shedding blood at Calvary, enduring beating, and making the singer "a new creature."
Each line in that closing section is answered by "Hallelujah, Amen," a call-and-response pattern that moves the song from declaration about God's word toward grateful testimony of His finished work.
Related Scripture
- Isaiah 55:11 God's word accomplishing its purpose without returning void is quoted almost directly in the opening verse.
- Jeremiah 32:17 The bridge echoes this verse's claim that nothing is too difficult for God.