Lyrics
Chorus
Iba re Jesu (Hail Jesus)
Iba re o Jesu (Hail Jesus)
Iba re Jesu (Hail Jesus)
Iba re o Jesu (Hail Jesus)
Atofarati bi oko (The One who is like a pillar)
Iba re o Baba (Hail Father)
Atofarati bi oko (The One who is like a pillar)
Iba re o Baba (Hail Father)
Verse
Ancient of days, that’s who you are
Unquestionable God of all the earth
Holy, holy is your name
The whole earth is full of your glory
You are I Am that I Am
The first and You’re the last
Immortal, invincible, the only wise God
You are God unsearchable, unfathomable
Majesty, we bow to worship
Chorus (Repeat)
Iba re Jesu (Hail Jesus)
Iba re o Jesu (Hail Jesus)
Iba re Jesu (Hail Jesus)
Iba re o Jesu (Hail Jesus)
Atofarati bi oko (The One who is like a pillar)
Iba re o Baba (Hail Father)
Atofarati bi oko (The One who is like a pillar)
Iba re o Baba (Hail Father)
Bridge
You are God unsearchable, unfathomable
Immortal, invincible, the only wise God
You are God unsearchable, unfathomable
Majesty, we bow to worship
Chorus (Repeat)
Iba re Jesu (Hail Jesus)
Iba re o Jesu (Hail Jesus)
Iba re Jesu (Hail Jesus)
Iba re o Jesu (Hail Jesus)
Atofarati bi oko (The One who is like a pillar)
Iba re o Baba (Hail Father)
Atofarati bi oko (The One who is like a pillar)
Iba re o Baba (Hail Father)
Atofarati bi oko (The One who is like a pillar)
Iba re o Baba (Hail Father)
Atofarati bi oko (The One who is like a pillar)
Iba re o Baba (Hail Father)
Refrain (x2)
All the glory, hallelujah
All the glory to You
We bow down to worship
We worship You, our God
Chorus (Repeat)
Iba re Jesu (Hail Jesus)
Iba re o Jesu (Hail Jesus)
Iba re Jesu (Hail Jesus)
Iba re o Jesu (Hail Jesus)
Atofarati bi oko (The One who is like a pillar)
Iba re o Baba (Hail Father)
Atofarati bi oko (The One who is like a pillar)
Iba re o Baba (Hail Father)
Atofarati bi oko (The One who is like a pillar)
Iba re o Baba (Hail Father)
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Iba Re” by Elijah Oyelade is a Yoruba and English worship song. “Iba re” means “hail” or “honor to You,” and the lyrics give the translations: “Hail Jesus” and “Hail Father.” The line “Atofarati bi oko” is translated as “the One who is like a pillar,” which adds an image of strength and steadiness.
The English verse piles up names and titles: Ancient of Days, the unquestionable God of all the earth, “I Am that I Am,” the first and the last. The lines “Immortal, invincible, the only wise God” and “unsearchable, unfathomable” recall the hymn language of Paul’s doxology. The refrain says all the glory belongs to Him, with “hallelujah” and a call to bow down.
The titles are close to Daniel 7:9, Exodus 3:14, Revelation 22:13 and 1 Timothy 1:17. The song works as extended adoration, moving from honor in Yoruba to titles in English and back, with the congregation repeating each phrase.
Related Scripture
- Exodus 3:14 “I AM WHO I AM”
- 1 Timothy 1:17 Immortal, invisible, the only wise God
- Daniel 7:9 The Ancient of Days