Lyrics
Chorus
Agame buru aleluya buru
(I will lift up my praise)
Para aleluya para
(I will praise Hallelujah in song)
Agame buru aleluya bugara Chineke
(I’ll lift up my praise to the Lord)
Verse (x3)
Otua ka Chineke anyi di eh
Agidigba eh eh eh Agidigba eh
Outro
Agidigba Agidigba Agidigba
Agidigba eh eh eh Agidigba eh
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Agidiba” by Sonnie Badu is a short praise song sung in Igbo and other West African phrases, with English glosses in brackets. The opening line, “Agame buru aleluya,” is glossed as “I will lift up my praise,” and the next lines say that the singer will praise Hallelujah in song and lift praise to the Lord. These lines are close to the resolve in Psalm 34:1 to bless the Lord at all times and to Psalm 146:2 to sing praises while there is life.
The repeated section declares “Otua ka Chineke anyi di,” which in Igbo points to God, Chineke, as the greatest. It is followed by the refrain “Agidigba,” a call that works as a shout of acclaim for the Almighty. The idea of God being above all is also found in Psalm 95:3 and Psalm 135:5.
The song is built from repetition and call and response, so it is easy for a congregation to join. Its message is simple: praise lifted to the Lord, who is greater than all.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 34:1 “I will bless the LORD at all times”
- Psalm 95:3 The LORD is a great God above all gods
- Psalm 146:2 Praise the LORD while I live