Joel Lwaga - Olodumare Lyrics
Lyrics
Hey papa, Olodumare my one and only
The giver of life equals to none
Hapa, nmesimama 'cause uko na mimi,
You never let me go
Mipaka, yangu umeitanulia mbali
Even sky sio limit kwa hii kibali
Hata, haters wanashangilia kwa ndani
Nmewa-win now
Chorus
Sina kingine mimi najivunia, zaidi yako Baba
Ndo maana niko tuli nmetulia, we hunaga baya
Hata wale wanaonionea husuda, shabaha yao mbaya
Watanpataje mwamba umenifunika
bure wata-tire
'cause I know that (you got me, 'way you got me(Oohhh)
You got me, 'way you got me, Baba,
You got me, 'way you got me,
That's why I'm never never never falling down)× 2
N'kiteleza baba unaniinua, Hujanitupa wala hujanijutia.
Kama ni toba zimejaa gunia,hapa ni kwamba tu umenihurumia.
Ningekulipa nini kama ungetaka, nilipe jema moja moja.
Maana hata hii pumzi nnayoivuta, hakuna dola ingetosha.
Sina kingine mimi najivunia, zaidi yako Baba
Ndo maana niko tuli nmetulia, we hunaga baya
Hata wale wanaonionea husuda, shabaha yao mbaya
Watanpataje mwamba umenifunika
bure wata-tire
'cause I know that (you got me, 'way you got me(Oohhh)
You got me, 'way you got me, Baba,
You got me, 'way you got me,
That's why I'm never never never falling down)
(repeat *3)
Never never never falling down
Forever Hosanna ×2
That's why I am never never never falling down
Video
Joel Lwaga - Olodumare (Official Lyric Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
I keep thinking about the way Joel calls God "Olodumare" right at the start. It’s an interesting choice because it pulls from Yoruba tradition, referring to the Supreme Creator, but he immediately pivots to calling Him "Papa." It makes me wonder if he’s trying to say that the One who started everything is actually the same Father we find in the Bible. It feels like he’s trying to bridge something there, acknowledging the sheer size of God—the one who gives life—while holding onto that intimate, personal relationship we have because of Jesus.
There’s this part where he talks about being "tuli" or peaceful because God has him, and it hits me how much that sounds like the assurance David had when he said the Lord is his rock and fortress. The idea that God covers him so that those who wish him ill can’t get to him—it feels very much like the promise in Psalm 91. But then I get stuck on the lyrics about never falling down. I know the feeling of being held, but sometimes I worry we talk about the Christian life like we won't stumble at all. Yet, he immediately counters that by admitting, "N'kiteleza baba unaniinua," which is just a fancy way of saying when I slip, He lifts me up. That feels more honest to me, like how Scripture says the righteous fall seven times but rise again.
I’m still wrestling with the way he talks about his enemies and the "haters" being defeated, though. It feels a bit like a victory lap. I get the joy of knowing God is our defender, but I always have to check that against the way Jesus talked about loving those who persecute us. Is it wrong to celebrate that God protects us from them? Probably not, but it’s a fine line. It’s funny, the part that really got me was when he said if he had to pay for his breath, even all the dollars in the world wouldn't cover it. That’s such a simple way of acknowledging that grace is free but it cost Him everything. It makes me question if I actually live like I realize every breath I take is a gift I can't afford to pay back, or if I’m still trying to trade my own good deeds for God’s favor. Sometimes I wonder if we focus so much on God holding us up that we forget we're only standing because He chose to be merciful in the first place.