Lyrics
Verse 1
Si kwa ujanja wangu
(It wasn't by my strength)
Si kwa akili zangu
(It wasn't by my wisdom)
Neema yako imenibeba
(Your grace lifted me)
Hata kama sina kama yule
(Even if I don't have as others do)
Bado unabaki Bwana
(You are still my Lord)
Nimeona mkono wako
(I have seen Your mighty hand upon my life)
Chorus
Nakutaka wewe pekee yako
(Only You that I want / need)
Wewe hauchoshi
(You never fade, You never grow tiring)
Kwani ninapata vyote kwako
(For all I have comes from You)
Furaha, kicheko na amani ya moyo
(Joy, laughter, and peace of my heart)
Chorus (Repeat)
Nakutaka wewe pekee yako
(Only You that I want / need)
Wewe hauchoshi
(You never fade, You never grow tiring)
Kwani ninapata vyote kwako
(For all I have comes from You)
Furaha, kicheko na amani ya moyo
(Joy, laughter, and peace of my heart)
Bridge
Hakuna siku nimeomba mkate
(I’ve never asked for bread)
Ukanipa jiwe
(And received a stone)
We Baba oh, Wewe unajibu
(Oh Father, You always answer my prayers)
Hakuna siku nimeomba hiki
(I’ve never asked for this)
Ukanipa kile
(And You gave me that)
Baba oh, Zaidi unanizidishia
(Oh Father, Yet You give me even more)
(Repeat Bridge)
Hook
Umenibamba (Umenibamba)
(You got me / You’ve caught me)
Yesu eh (Yesu we)
(Jesus)
Umenibamba
(You got me)
Yesu eh
(Jesus)
(Repeat Hook)
Vamp
Nimeridhika nawe (I’m satisfied)
(I’m satisfied, I’m content)
Bwana (I’m content)
Kama wewe
(Beside You, there is no other one)
Nimeridhika nawe
(I’m satisfied, I’m content)
Bwana
(Beside You, there is no other one)
Outro
Umenibamba Bwana
(You got me, Lord)
Umenibamba, Umenibamba
(You got me, You got me)
Yesu eh!
(Jesus!)
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Umenibamba,” which means “You have carried me,” by Neema Gospel Choir is a Swahili song of thanks for grace. The first verse says “Si kwa ujanja wangu, si kwa akili zangu” (not by my cleverness or my wisdom), and that grace has carried the singer even without what others have. That is close to Zechariah 4:6, which says victory comes not by might nor power but by the Spirit.
The chorus says “Nakutaka wewe pekee yako,” only You do I want, and names joy, laughter, and peace as things that come from Him. The bridge draws on Jesus’ words about a father giving good gifts: the singer has never asked for bread and been given a stone, and God gives even more than was asked. This recalls Matthew 7:9-11 and Ephesians 3:20.
The hook repeats “Umenibamba,” and the vamp declares contentment: “Nimeridhika nawe,” I am satisfied with You. The song’s message is trust, gratitude, and a settled sense that the Lord provides.
Related Scripture
- Zechariah 4:6 Not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit
- Matthew 7:9-11 A father does not give a stone for bread
- Ephesians 3:20 God does more than we ask or think