Lyrics
Verse 1
Kale nilitembea
Nikilemewa dhambi
Nilikosa msaada
Kuniponya mateso
(x2)
Chorus
Usifiwe msalaba
Lisifiwe kaburi
Linalozidi yote
Asifiwe mwokozi
(x2)
Verse 2
Hata nilipofika
Mahali pa msalaba
Palinifaa sana
Sitasahau kamwe
Verse 3
Hicho ndicho chanzo
Cha kufurahi kwangu
Hapo ndipo mzigo
Uliponituliwa
(x3)
Chorus
Usifiwe msalaba
Lisifiwe kaburi
Linalozidi yote
Asifiwe mwokozi
Verse 4
Panapo msalaba
Kinatolewa cheti
Cha kuingia mbinguni
Kisicho cha kanisa
Chorus
Usifiwe msalaba
Lisifiwe kaburi
Linalozidi yote
Asifiwe mwokozi yule
Spoken Outro
Bwana mjinga
Likwenda bila
Cheti kitumai kwingia
Kama walio
nacho lipofika langoni akaulizwa cheti cha kumwonyesha Bwana akakutwa hanacho lituhuzunishalo ni ninyi msio nacho
kuwa kama mjinga
kwa siku ya arusi ubavuni mwa Yesu mlitokea damu chemchemi ya uzima itakasayo roho jitahidi wingie damuni mwa mwokozi utafutiwa dhambi toka rohoni mwako
Credits & Song Information
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Kale Nilitembea” (Tenzi No. 22), sung here by Mbarikiwa Mwakipesile, is a Swahili hymn of relief at the cross. The title means “Long ago I walked,” and the first verse remembers walking burdened by sin with no help to heal the suffering. The chorus then turns to praise: “Usifiwe msalaba” (Praised be the cross) and “Asifiwe mwokozi” (Praised be the Savior).
The next verses tell where the burden was lost. Reaching the cross was so helpful the singer will never forget it, and it is called the source of joy, the place where the load was lifted. This is close to Galatians 6:14, where Paul boasts only in the cross, and to Matthew 11:28, where the weary and burdened are invited to Jesus. The fourth verse says the cross is where a certificate for entering heaven is given, one that no church can give.
The spoken ending warns that those who reach the gate without that certificate will be sorrowful, and urges the hearer to enter the blood of the Savior, where sin is wiped away. The hymn’s message is an invitation to be ready for heaven through Christ.
Related Scripture
- Galatians 6:14 Boasting only in the cross
- Matthew 11:28 Come to Jesus, all who are weary and burdened
- 1 John 1:7 The blood of Jesus cleanses from all sin