Lyrics
Chorus
Usifurahi juu yangu eeeh adui yangu,
niangukapo mimi nitasimama tena.
Kumbuka niwapo gizani bwana nuru yangu,
hawezi kuniacha bwana mimi niangamie.
Verse 1
Si vyema kunisema vibaya nipatapo tatizo,
shetani wampa nafasi ndani ya moyo wako
Kumbuka kwa maombi yako nitasimama tena,
na utapata baraka kutoka kwake Mungu
Verse 2
Maana heri mtu yule ambaye kinywa chake,
huwabariki wenzake na kuwaombea.
Maana maneno mabaya huuchafua moyo.
kukuweka mbali na Mungu ni vema uwe safi.
Verse 3
Ukiona nipo kwenye shida (niombee),
Ndoa yangu imevunjika wewe niombee,
Nikifukuzwa kazini ndugu niombee,
Magonjwa yananiandama niombee,
Biashara haina faida niombee,
Nikikawia kupata mtoto niombee,
Nimekuwa mtoto yatima niombee,
Hata nijapokuwa mjane niombee,
Refrain (x2)
Ujue kwa maombi yako mimi nitasimama tena,
Ujue kwa maombi yako nitabarikiwa,
Credits & Song Information
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Usifurahi Juu Yangu” (Do not rejoice over me) by Upendo Nkone is a Swahili song of resilience in adversity. The chorus speaks to an enemy: “Usifurahi juu yangu eeh adui yangu, niangukapo mimi nitasimama tena,” meaning that when the singer falls, they will rise again. The singer adds, “Kumbuka niwapo gizani Bwana nuru yangu,” a reminder that the Lord is light in the dark.
The verses address how people speak about someone in trouble, warning that evil words give the devil room and that the one whose mouth blesses others is called happy. The third verse is a long list of hardships: a broken marriage, losing a job, sickness, failing business, delay in having children, being an orphan, and being a widow. After each one comes the plea “niombee” (pray for me).
The refrain says that through the prayers of others the singer will stand again and be blessed. The theme is close to Micah 7:8, “Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise,” and to Psalm 27:1, where the Lord is light.
Related Scripture
- Micah 7:8 “When I fall, I shall arise”
- Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light
- James 5:16 The prayer of the righteous avails much