Lyrics
Chorus
Nifundishe kunyamaza
Nifundishe kunyamaza
Nisijejibu nikakukosea Mungu uh
Nifundishe kunyamaza
Nifundishe kunyamaza
Nisijejibu nikakukosea Mungu uu
Verse 1
Weeh Baba wewe ni mwalimu mwema
We ewe Mungu wewe ni mwalimu mwema
Niko darasani kwako masia
Baba naomba nifundishe kunyamaza
Niko katika kipindi hiki
Bwana naomba nifundishe kunyamaza
Natamani kunyamaza ah
Lakini si rahisi nifundishe kunyamaza
Natamani kunyamaza masia naomba nifundishe kunyamaza
Verse 2
Yapo mengi mambo yanayoweza fanya niseme
Yapo mazingira yanayoweza fanya nijibu nikakosea
Kwa maisha tunayoishi naomba nifundishe kunyamaza
Kwa ninayoyasikia kila siku Bwana nifundishe kunyamaza
Kwa ninayoyaona kila siku eh Baba nifundishe kunyamaza
Verse 3
Mmmh Wapo wanaoweza fanya nipambane eeh nipambane
Yapo yanayoweza fanya nishindane eeh nishindane
Bila neema ya kunyamaza naweza jikuta ninajibu vibaya
Bila neema ya kunyamaza naweza jikuta ninasema vibaya
Wee Yesu wewe naomba nifundishe kunyamaza
Wee Baba wewe naomba nifundishe kunyamaza
Verse 4
Kwa macho nimeona mengi naomba nifundishe kunyamaza
Kwa vinywa nimenenewa mengi naomba nifundishe kunyamaza
Kwa masikio nimesikia mengi Bwana nifundishe kunyamaza
Chorus (Repeat)
Oh nifundishe kunyamaza
nifundishe kunyamaza
nisijejibu nikakukosea Mungu uu
Bridge
Eeh Baba nisaidie Baba
Ewe Mungu nisaidie Mungu
Ninatamana sana nijilinde nisije kukukosea
Ninachotaka nijilinde nisije kukupoteza
Watu wanaweza taka nipambane nikukose mwokozi
Chorus (Repeat)
Oh nifundishe kunyamaza
Nifundishe kunyamaza
Nisijejibu nikakukosea Mungu uu
Wengu wanataka nipambane nikukose mwokozi
...
Outro
Oh nifundishe kunyamaza
nifundishe kunyamaza
nisijejibu nikakukosea Mungu uu
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Nifundishe Kunyamaza,” which means “Teach me to keep silent,” by Martha Mwaipaja is a Swahili prayer for self-control in speech. The chorus asks “Nisijejibu nikakukosea Mungu,” that the singer not answer back and so offend God. God is called a good teacher, and the singer says, “Niko darasani kwako,” I am in Your classroom, admitting that silence is desired but not easy.
The verses name the pressures: what is heard and seen each day, words spoken about the singer, and people or situations that invite a fight. Without “neema ya kunyamaza,” the grace of keeping silent, the singer fears answering or speaking badly. The prayer covers the eyes, mouth, and ears.
The theme is close to Psalm 141:3, which asks the LORD to set a guard over the mouth, James 1:19, which urges being slow to speak, and Proverbs 15:1 on a soft answer. The bridge asks for help so the singer does not lose God. The song’s message is humility and restraint, learned by asking for grace.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 141:3 “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth”
- James 1:19 Quick to hear, slow to speak
- Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath