Lyrics
Verse 1
Kuna vijito vya maji ya uzima (There are streams of living water)
Mlimani mwa Bwana (in the Lord's mountain)
Kila aogaye humo yuna usalama (whoever swims in, is safe)
Verse 2
Kama ungelijua karama yake Mungu leo hii (if you only knew the gift of God)
Ya kwamba ye ni nani aongeaye na wewe leo hii (for who you are speaking to)
Ungelimwomba Yesu akupe maji ya uzima tele (you would have asked Jesus to give you the living water)
Wala hakuna haja ya kusubiri maji yatibuliwe (there's no need to wait for the water to be stirred)
Tena hakuna haja ya kusubiri mtu akuwezeshe (and there's no need to wait for someone to help you)
Ungelimwomba Yesu akupe maji ya uzima tele (you would have asked Jesus to give you the living water)
Verse 3
Je shida yako ni ipi? (what troubles you?)
Mwambie Yesu anaweza (tell Jesus, he is able)
Mwambie Yesu usinipite (tell Jesus "pass me not")
Niko hapa Bwana (I am here my Lord)
Nimejaribu mwenyewe pekeyangu nimeshindwa unisaidie (I have tried on my own, I have failed, help me!)
Chorus
Yesu wewe unaweza (Jesus you are able)
Yesu wewe unatosha (you are sufficient)
Yesu wewe usinipite (pass me not Jesus)
Usinipite Bwana (pass me not Lord)
Verse 4
Nakuita Yesu (I call upon you Jesus)
Nakuita Bwana (I call upon you Lord)
Nakuita (I'm calling you)
Sikia kuomba kwangu ee Yesu (hear my prayer Jesus!)
Amani yangu ni wewe mfalme (you are my peace, my king)
Nimesikia habari zako (I have heard about you)
Nakimbilia kwako Bwana (I am coming to you Lord)
Nisaidie, nisaidie (help me, help me)
Nikubalie ombi langu Bwana nikuombalo (accept my prayer, oh Lord)
Usiniache peke yangu Bwana mimi sitaweza (do not leave me alone, I can't on my own)
Nikubali, nikubali (accept me, accept me)
Ewe Yesu Bwana wangu (Jesus my Lord)
Ewe Yesu, Ooh Jesu
Verse 1 (Repeat)
Verse 2 (Repeat)
Verse 3 (Repeat)
Chorus (Repeat)
Verse 4 (Repeat)
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
"Nikubali Yesu" ("Accept Me, Jesus") opens with an extended image of living water flowing in the Lord's mountain, promising safety to whoever swims within it, language directly echoing Jesus's own description of water that satisfies permanently. Its early verses invite a listener to consider who exactly is speaking to them before urging a direct request for that living water.
Sung bilingually in Swahili and English, the song shifts into an explicit prayer of surrender, borrowing the plea "pass me not" from a well-known hymn of the same name and insisting there is no need to wait for outside help, an image recalling a paralyzed man waiting by a pool for someone to carry him in. Repeated calls addressing Jesus directly, asking him to hear, accept, and not abandon the singer, build toward a final request to be accepted rather than passed over.
Rooted in East African congregational gospel tradition, the song functions as a personal altar call set to music, moving from description of God's gift to direct, repeated petition for acceptance and help.