Lyrics
Chorus (Repeat x2)
Itakua kuwa furaha
Kule juu mbinguni
Tukiimba Hosanna na Bwana
Hallelujah
Tutakutana nao
Wote walotangulia
Kisha sote tutaimba Hosanna, Hallelujah
Refrain
Imba imba imba Hosanna na Bwana
Hallelujah
Verse (Repeat x3)
Imba hallelujah
Nyimbo za sifa tutamuimbia Bwana
Uhimidiwe Mungu wa miungu
Upewe sifa Bwana wa Mabwana
Siku zote tutakusifu
Siku zote tutakusifu
Chorus (Repeat x2)
Refrain (Repeat)
Meaning & Inspiration
"Bwana" opens by picturing a future scene of joy, singing Hosanna together in heaven above, naming reunion with those who have already passed on as part of that same anticipated celebration. That specific image, future reunion joined to heavenly worship, frames the entire song around eschatological hope rather than only present praise.
Its verse shifts from anticipated heaven to present declaration, calling for songs of praise sung to the Lord and naming Him God of gods and Lord of lords, committing to praise Him continually every day. That movement, future hope grounding present commitment, ties the song's heavenly vision directly to ongoing, daily worship.
Sung in Swahili within East African worship tradition, the song functions as an extended anticipation of heavenly reunion and continual praise, its repeated refrain calling directly for Hosanna to be sung, treating that single word as the fitting response both now and in the heavenly gathering still to come.
Related Scripture
- Revelation 7:9-10 Describes a multitude in heaven crying out praise before the throne, echoed in the song's vision of heavenly worship and reunion.
- Deuteronomy 10:17 Describes God as God of gods and Lord of lords, directly echoed in the song's verse.