Lyrics
Verse 1
Maisha haya, ninapita tu
Hali hii ya sasa ni kwa muda tu
Ushindi wangu, U karibu nami
Mtetezi wangu, yu hai
Chorus
Sitabaki kama nilivyo
Silalamiki, wala sikufuru
Najua ni darasa napitishwa
Imani yangu ipo kwenye kipimo
Verse 2
Najua nitapita tu
Sitamani za wengine wala sijilinganishi
Najua wakati wangu upo
Siogopeswhi na mapito ninayoyapitia
Namwamini yule aliyeruhusu nipite
Bridge
Mtetezi wangu
Yu hai (Yu hai)
Sitabaki kama nilivyo
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Sitabaki Nilivyo” by Joel Lwaga is a Swahili song of hope in hard times, and the title means “I will not remain as I am.” The first verse says that life here is only passing and the present situation is for a time, that victory is near and the defender is alive.
The chorus is the declaration: “I will not stay as I am, I do not complain, nor curse.” The singer says this is a class being taken and that faith is under test. The second verse adds that the singer does not envy or compare with others, knows that the time has come, is not frightened by the trials and trusts the One who allowed the singer to pass through them.
The themes are close to Job 19:25, Romans 8:18 and James 1:2-4, on a living Redeemer, present sufferings that pass and the testing of faith.
Related Scripture
- Job 19:25 I know that my Redeemer lives
- Romans 8:18 Present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory to come
- James 1:2-4 The testing of your faith produces steadfastness