Lyrics
Intro
(Melodic electric guitar and marimba instrumental)
Verse 1
Na huzuni moyoni mimi siimbi nalia (With sorrow in my heart, I do not sing but cry)
Namlilia Malebo amekataa kuokoka (I cry for Malebo, who has refused to be saved)
Nilizoimba ni nyingi nikimuonya Malebo (I have sung many songs warning Malebo)
Bado hajabadilika, sasa siimbi nalia (He still hasn't changed; now I do not sing but cry)
Mpenzi wangu rafiki tuliyesoma pamoja (My beloved friend with whom we studied together)
Michezo ya utotoni tuliicheza pamoja (We played childhood games together)
Sasa ni watu wazima na mimi nimeokoka (Now we are adults and I am saved)
Malebo nikimwambia yeye anaruka kimanga (But when I tell Malebo, he strongly denies/evades me)
Si yeye pekee yake ninao wengi rafiki (He is not the only one; I have many friends)
Niliowahimiza mbele kwenye kaseti ya pili (Whom I encouraged in the second cassette)
Wengine wamekubali wamemwamini Mwokozi (Others have accepted and believed in the Savior)
Yesu amewasamehe, amebakia Malebo (Jesus has forgiven them; only Malebo remains)
(Instrumental)
Verse 2
Zangu zamani uwa akitafuta, aninunulie chang'aa, bangi, sigara na bia (In the past, he used to search for me to buy him local brew, weed, cigarettes, and beer)
Nikimwambia Malebo uninunulie chakula, matusi hata anitukana, amelala masikio (But when I asked Malebo to buy me food, he would insult me and turn a deaf ear)
Amenitusi Malebo, uongo kunisema, mimi nimemsamehe najua tatizo lake (Malebo has insulted me and spread lies, but I have forgiven him for I know his problem)
Yeye Mungu wa wanadamu anataka ukombozi, atakapokubali Yesu atamkomboa (He is a creature of God who needs redemption; once he accepts, Jesus will deliver him)
Chorus
Nakuita Malebo, uje kwa Yesu utubu (I call you Malebo, come to Jesus and repent)
Yeye ni mwenye huruma atakusamehe kabisa (He is merciful and will forgive you completely)
Jina lako la Malebo litandikwa mbinguni (Your name, Malebo, will be written in heaven)
Utakuwa kiumbe kipya ya kale yote yatapita (You will be a new creation; all old things will pass away)
(Instrumental)
Verse 3
Amkumbuke mrefu alivyokuwa mbaya (Let him remember the tall man and how bad he used to be)
Tangu alipokubali kumpa Yesu maisha (Ever since he accepted to give his life to Jesus)
Ameshabadilika siyo mrefu wa kale (He has already changed; he is no longer the tall man of the past)
Sasa naye ahubiri injili yake Mwokozi (Now he too preaches the gospel of the Savior)
Nawajua vizuri, pili na tatu pamoja (I know them very well, the second and the third together)
Walivyokuwa wakali, watata wa mtaani (How fierce and troublesome they used to be on the streets)
Sasa wameshauoka wameshanyooka vizuri (Now they are saved and completely reformed)
Wote wameshaolewa wana watoto mbali (All of them are married and have children now)
Verse 4 / Outro
Nainua mikono, damu ya Mwokozi daimba (I raise my hands, the blood of the Savior is singing)
Yesu anayekupenda njo kwake amekuita (Jesus who loves you, come to Him, He has called you)
Unanijua vizuri, sina hata ya kueleza (You know me very well; I have nothing left to explain)
Yesu ulinibadilisha nawe utamkubali (Jesus, You changed me, and You will also change him)
Nakuita Malebo, uje kwa Yesu utubu (I call you Malebo, come to Jesus and repent)
Yeye ni mwenye huruma atakusamehe kabisa (He is merciful and will forgive you completely)
Jina lako la Malebo litandikwa mbinguni (Your name, Malebo, will be written in heaven)
Utakuwa kiumbe kipya ya kale yote yatapita (You will be a new creation; all old things will pass away)
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
Malebo is a lament for a friend who continues to reject repentance despite repeated appeals. Pastor Faustin Munishi recalls childhood companionship, painful insults, and the changed lives of other people from their community. Rather than answering hostility with condemnation, the singer describes forgiveness and keeps calling Malebo toward Jesus. The repeated invitation rests on mercy: repentance, pardon, and a new identity remain possible.
The chorus clearly echoes the biblical language of becoming a new creation, with the old life passing away. Later verses support that hope through examples of people whose conduct changed after turning to Christ. The raised hands of the outro place Malebo within prayer as well as proclamation. Grief for someone still lost therefore sits beside confidence in the Savior who forgives and transforms. The song functions as both personal testimony and an evangelistic plea, keeping one particular friendship at the center of its call to salvation.
Related Scripture
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 The chorus directly echoes the promise that the old passes away in a new creation.
- Luke 15:7 Jesus describes joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.