Lyrics
Verse 1
Nah nah nah nah nah
Hello uko wapi baba
Naomba niskize mimi mwanao
Mbele zako hapa naona niimbe
Verse 2
Wale walisema ridhiki saba
Ila yangu kwa muumba
Nashukuru Mola
Unanipenda roho yangu waichunga
Verse 3
Mangapi ninapita njiani
Hata usiku ikilala
Daddy penzi lako la dhamani
Uko nami kila mara
Chorus
Nani mwingine mi nitoe wapi
Shukurani eh, sina lingine jamani eeh
Oooh baba yangu mi nabanjuka tu
Unanipenda, mi nabanjuka tu
Hutonitenda, mi nabanjuka tu
Banju, banju, banjuka tu
Oooh baba yangu mi nabanjuka tu
Unanipenda, mi nabanjuka tu
Hutonitenda, mi nabanjuka tu
Banju, banju, banjuka tu
Verse 4
Kusifu siku zote za kalenda
Ni wajibu wangu sikani
Nikitafakari yale yote umetenda
Wakulinganisha sidhani
Verse 5
Ulonipendaga zamani
Ukawa ngao yangu vitani
Kiongozi wangu maishani
Ulinifia msalabani
Bridge
Lipi niseme, moyo wangu ujenge
Na wagonjwa waponye waeneze injili iende
Lipi niseme, moyo wangu ujenge
Na wagonjwa waponye waeneze injili iende
Chorus
Nani mwingine mi nitoe wapi
Shukurani eh, sina lingine jamani eeh
Oooh baba yangu mi nabanjuka tu
Unanipenda, mi nabanjuka tu
Hutonitenda, mi nabanjuka tu
Banju, banju, banjuka tu
Oooh baba yangu mi nabanjuka tu
Unanipenda, mi nabanjuka tu
Hutonitenda, mi nabanjuka tu
Banju, banju, banjuka tu
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
Banjuka is a Swahili song of thanksgiving addressed to God as Father. It opens with a greeting, "Hello uko wapi baba", and a request to be heard, then moves to gratitude that God watches over the singer's soul and stays close day and night.
The refrain "Oooh baba yangu mi nabanjuka tu" repeats a joyful, informal declaration of trust in the Father's love. Later verses name the cross directly, since "Ulinifia msalabani" speaks of Christ dying for the singer, and "Ulonipendaga zamani" describes a love that came first and became a shield in battle. That thought runs parallel to Romans 5:8 and Psalm 28:7.
The bridge asks what more can be said and ties praise to the sick being healed and the gospel going out, which may point toward Mark 16:15-18 as a possible background.
Related Scripture
- Romans 5:8 Paul writes that Christ died for sinners while they were still sinners, the thought behind the line about the cross.
- Psalm 28:7 The psalm calls the Lord a strength and shield, matching the lyric about a shield in battle.
- Mark 16:15-18 The passage links preaching the gospel with the sick being healed, which the bridge mentions.