Lyrics
Nilikuwa na rafiki yangu
Rafiki Pesa Tulipendana sana
Maisha yetu yalikuwa mazuri
Nitakacho hunipatia
Nikitaka nyumba nzuri alikuwa anijengea
Nikitaka gari nzuri alikuwa aniletea
Nikitaka nguo nzuri anakimbia dukani aniletea
Nikitaka suti nzuri alikuwa aniletea
Nikitaka wanawake anakimbia Florida aniletea
Nikitaka kunywa beer alikuwa aniletea
(Instruments)
Siku moja nilishikwa na ugonjwa mbaya sana
Nikapelekwa kwa madakitari ugonjwa huo haukupona
Waliposhindwa nikarudishwa nchini kwetu nyumbani kwangu
Nikalazwa kitandani kwangu
Nilikuwa naumwa sana
Siku moja Rafiki Pesa akaja kwangu kunitazama
Akaniambia "Rafiki yangu pole sana kwa ugonjwa
Usijali hata ukifa nitakununulia coffin"
Siku ile nilikufa Rafiki Pesa alitoroka
Watoto wangu waliteseka, Majirani waliwacheka
"Pesa alithamini, sasa maisha kwisha"
Utaenda wapi? Utaenda motoni
Wakati urafiki wako na bwana Pesa unapoisha
Mambo mawili anakufanyia
Anakununua kitamba cheupe na coffin ya kukuingiza ndani
Walevi walikunywa pombe wakashindwa na kutembea
Wakitazama chini waona kuna mashimo
Wavuta bangi walivuta sana
Moshi nao ulipoganda
Hata nywele za vichwa zao wakashindwa kuzichana
Matajiri walipata pesa wakazieka kwa anasa
Nazo pesa zaendelea kuwanunulia sanduku
Matajiri walipata pesa wakazieka kwa anasa
Nazo pesa zaendelea kuwanunulia jeneza
Usithamini pesa Pesa zina mwisho, zina mwisho
Pesa zina mwisho Raha nazo baba
Raha zina mwisho, zina mwisho Raha zina mwisho
Shika Yesu baba Yesu ndiye mwisho, ndiye mwisho
Yesu ndiye mwisho Kwa wokovu Baba
Yesu ndiye mwisho, ndiye mwisho
Yesu ndiye mwisho Kwa wokovu Baba
Yesu ndiye mwisho, ndiye mwisho
Yesu ndiye mwisho
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Rafiki Pesa” uses a cautionary story to expose the limits of wealth. Money appears as a generous friend able to supply houses, clothing, pleasure, and status, but that friendship fails when sickness and death arrive. The narrative then widens from one persons experience to warnings about intoxication, waste, and luxury, contrasting temporary enjoyment with the lasting salvation found in Jesus.
The warning closely parallels Mark 8:36, which asks what profit remains if the whole world is gained at the cost of the soul. Matthew 6:19–21 also fits the contrast between possessions that pass away and treasure directed toward God. The repeated conclusion that money and pleasure have an end gives the song its clearest spiritual emphasis: wealth cannot rescue a person from mortality. Its closing call to hold to Jesus presents him, rather than material abundance, as the dependable hope for salvation.
Related Scripture
- Mark 8:36 Jesus asks what is gained by possessing the world while forfeiting the soul.
- Matthew 6:19-21 Jesus contrasts temporary earthly possessions with lasting treasure in heaven.
- 1 Timothy 6:17 The wealthy are warned not to place hope in uncertain riches but in God.