Tafes Aru - Eee Bwana Uniinue (Interlude Worship) Lyrics

Lyrics

Natamani fanana kama wewe
Natamani fanana kama wewe
Natamani fanana kama wewe Yesu

Bwana nitengeneze, nitengeneze
Bwana nitengeneze, nitengeneze

Eee Bwana uniinue
Kwa imani nisimame
Tupande milima yote
Eeeh Bwana utupandishe

Nisikae duniani
Ni mahali pa shetani
Natazamia mbinguni
Nitafika kwa imani
(repeat)

Eee Bwana uniinue
Kwa imani nisimame
Nipande milima yote
Eeeh Bwana nipandishe

Video

Eee Bwana Uniinue (Interlude Worship) - tafes aru (LIVE)

Meaning & Inspiration

The 2020 release "Eee Bwana Uniinue (Interlude Worship)" by Tafes Aru stands as a profoundly moving and spiritually rich expression, offering a vibrant testament to personal faith and devotion. This piece, presented in the accessible and widely understood Swahili language, transcends mere musical performance to become an intimate prayer, inviting all who engage with it into a deeper connection with the divine. It immediately sets a tone of earnest seeking and surrender, laying bare the soul’s deepest longings before God.

At its core, the song unfolds as a sincere and multi-layered prayer, starting with the repeated declaration, "Natamani fanana kama wewe Yesu," which translates to "I desire to be like You, Jesus." This foundational sentiment expresses a profound yearning for Christlikeness, echoing the biblical mandate to be conformed to the image of God’s Son (Romans 8:29). It’s not just a casual wish but a spiritual hunger, a longing to embody the character, compassion, and purity of Christ in one's daily existence. This desire naturally flows into the plea, "Bwana nitengeneze," meaning "Lord, make me" or "Lord, shape me." This is a humble surrender to the divine potter, acknowledging God’s sovereign hand in the process of sanctification and transformation, trusting that He who began a good work will carry it on to completion (Philippians 1:6).

The song then transitions into an earnest petition for divine elevation and empowerment, articulated in lines like "Eee Bwana uniinue," which means "Oh Lord, lift me up" or "exalt me." This is a cry for spiritual upliftment, not for personal glory, but so that one may "Kwa imani nisimame" – "by faith stand firm." This resonates deeply with the biblical truth that it is by grace through faith we are saved and empowered (Ephesians 2:8), and that without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). The imagery of "Tupande milima yote," or "Let us climb all mountains," powerfully symbolizes overcoming life’s daunting challenges, obstacles, and spiritual plateaus. This climb is not undertaken through human strength alone, but with the explicit understanding that "Eeeh Bwana utupandishe" – "Oh Lord, You lift us up" or "cause us to ascend." This perfectly aligns with Scripture promising that those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength and soar like eagles, running and not growing weary, walking and not fainting (Isaiah 40:31), and that with Christ, all things are possible (Philippians 4:13). It is a declaration of absolute dependence on God’s power to navigate life’s steepest paths and reach spiritual heights.

Finally, the song culminates in a powerful declaration of eternal perspective and unwavering faith: "Nisikae duniani, Ni mahali pa shetani, Natazamia mbinguni, Nitafika kwa imani." This translates to, "Let me not dwell on earth, It is a place of Satan, I am looking forward to heaven, I will arrive by faith." This segment encapsulates a vital Christian doctrine: setting one's mind on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:1-2). The stark acknowledgement of the world as a place influenced by spiritual darkness (1 John 5:19) strengthens the resolve to fix one's gaze heavenward. It’s a profound rejection of worldly attachments and a confident affirmation of the ultimate hope found in Christ's promise of a dwelling place (John 14:1-3). The unwavering conviction that arrival in heaven will be "by faith" underscores the core of the Christian walk—trusting God’s redemptive work from beginning to end. "Eee Bwana Uniinue" is thus far more than an interlude; it is a full-bodied prayer for transformation, empowerment, and eternal perspective, a deeply encouraging and inspiring testament to the enduring power of faith.