Bahati - Naanza Tena Lyrics
Lyrics
Mungu wangunaanza tena
Ah tena, tena
Naanza tena
Nipe nguvu naanza tena
Ah tena, tena
Naanza tena
Hii ribi sandarem
Baba yoo, hmm Baba
Nyimbo nzuri nikutungie
Baba, Baba wale iwafikie eh
Uchungu wangu nikupatie, ah
Dawa yangu nitafutie
Ila shida zanisonga sana
Wakati nakosa wa kumwambia
Nimekonda sana
Mawozo ya kesho we si unajua
Ila shida zanisonga sana
Wakati nakosa wa kumwambia
Nimekonda sana
Mawazo ya kesho we si unajua
Mungu wangu naanza tena
Ah tena, tena
Naanza tena
Nipe nguvu naanza tena
Ah tena, tena
Naanza tena
Unaitwa Jehovah Jairee, Jairee
Upendadalo Baba ba sina liwe
Wanakuita Jehovah Jairee, jairee
Upendalo Baba ba sin aliwe eh
Wanakuita baba wa yatima
Ume wa wajane
Wanakuita baba wa yatima
Wanakuita baba wa yatima
Me wa wajane
Wanakuita baba wa yatima
Mungu wangu naanza tena
Ah tena, tena
Naanza tena
Nipe nguvu naanza tena
Ah tena, tena
Naanza tena
Ooho (aaah eh)
Yesu wangu (aaheh)
Baba yangu (aah eeh )
We si unajua
Roho yangu (aaah eh)
Tamadio langu
Mungu wangu (aah eeh )
We si unajua
Video
BAHATI - NAANZA TENA (Official Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Bahati’s "Naanza Tena," released on August 17, 2020, stands as a profoundly moving declaration of faith and a raw testament to the human spirit's capacity for renewal through divine grace. This song immediately connects with anyone who has faced life's overwhelming challenges, finding themselves at a crossroads, desperately needing to start afresh. It is a deeply personal and universal prayer, articulating the often-silent plea for strength when one feels utterly depleted. The narrative woven through the lyrics isn't just Bahati's own; it mirrors the journey of countless individuals who have experienced profound hardship and recognized the sole source of true restoration.
The central meaning of "Naanza Tena" – "I'm starting again" – reverberates with an honesty that strips away pretense. The artist lays bare his vulnerability, confessing, "Uchungu wangu nikupatie, ah / Dawa yangu nitafutie" (Let me give You my pain, ah / Find my remedy). This isn't merely a request; it's a desperate cry for relief and healing, a surrendering of deep anguish to a higher power. He further expresses the suffocating grip of life's burdens: "Ila shida zanisonga sana / Wakati nakosa wa kumwambia / Nimekonda sana / Mawazo ya kesho we si unajua" (But problems overwhelm me so much / When I have no one to tell / I've become very thin / You know tomorrow's worries). This vivid imagery of being 'thin' from worry paints a picture of spiritual and emotional exhaustion, highlighting the common experience of feeling isolated and burdened by the unknown future. Yet, in this raw confession, there is an implicit trust that God already understands the unspoken anxieties and the weight of tomorrow.
The spiritual depth of "Naanza Tena" is further enriched by its explicit references to God's character and promises, making it a powerful anthem for anyone seeking encouragement. The repeated plea, "Nipe nguvu naanza tena" (Give me strength, I'm starting again), echoes the promise found in Isaiah 40:31, "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." It is a recognition that true strength for a new beginning comes not from within oneself but from divine infusion. The song beautifully captures the essence of casting one's burdens onto the Lord, as encouraged in 1 Peter 5:7, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." Bahati’s expression of having no one else to confide in underscores God's role as the ultimate confidant and healer, reminding us of Psalm 55:22, which urges us to "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken."
Moreover, the invocation of God's names and attributes provides profound comfort and assurance. When Bahati sings, "Unaitwa Jehovah Jairee, Jairee," he is declaring God as "The Lord Will Provide," drawing directly from Genesis 22:14. This particular name is a beacon of hope for provision in every aspect of life – not just material needs, but emotional, spiritual, and relational sustenance. The powerful lines, "Wanakuita baba wa yatima / Ume wa wajane" (They call You father of the orphans / Husband of the widows), are direct scriptural allusions, notably from Psalm 68:5, which proclaims, "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling." This specific imagery reinforces God's unwavering commitment to the most vulnerable, assuring all who feel abandoned or overlooked that they are seen, protected, and deeply cherished by a compassionate Father. The song culminates in an act of total submission: "Upendadalo Baba ba sina liwe" (Whatever You desire, Father, I have no [power to refuse/say no]), a powerful acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and an open invitation for His will to be done, mirroring the very prayer of Jesus in Gethsemane. "Naanza Tena" is thus more than just a song; it is a profound testament to enduring faith, a spiritual guide for starting anew, and a resonant reminder that in every season of life, especially in moments of despair, divine strength and compassion are eternally available.