Lyrics
Fahamu anakupenda sana (Know that He loves you)
Nayo salvation yako haitadunda (And your salvation is permanent)
Ye msela, sina hela, Alikupenda bila hela (But I'm poor... He loved you poor)
Amekuwa akinihanda, amekuwa akinitesa mimi (I was followed and)
Sababu mimi (?), na sina hela (Because I'm in debt(?) and poor)
Miye fukara, just imagine (I am destitute)
Bado nafsi yangu, ni kwako wewe (But my soul is in you)
Kuokoka kwangu, ni kwako wewe (My salvation is in you)
Oh Sitolia mimi, Nafahamu uko na mimi jalali (I won't cry, I know you are with me)
Ni kwako, ni kwako; Ni kwako, ni wewe (It is in you)
Oh Sitolia mimi, Nafahamu uko na mimi jalali (I won't cry, I know you are with me)
Iye sitolia mimi, Nafahamu upo na mimi maulana (I won't cry, God you are with me)
Ni kweli usilie mwenzio, Maulana yuko na wewe akujali
(Don't cry, God cares for you)
Kiganjani mwake amekuweka, hautabanduka (He has kept you in His palm, you won't fall)
Ni kweli uko mbali na mimi, Uko mbali na uga wangu
(Though you are far from mr)
Lakini msela mimi huyu, Sitolia kamwe (But here I am, I will not cry)
Mwana we, mwana; nakwambia tulia (Son, I tell you to calm)
Mwana we, mwana; si vema kulia (Son, It is not good to cry)
Mola anakuangalia, anakufikiria (God watches over you, thinks about you)
Atakuangazia (He shall light your path)
Mateso ni ya muda tu, mtihani utaupita tu (Troubles are only for a time, you shall overcome)
Hata usiku uwe mrefu ndugu, kutapambazuka (Though the night be long, the dawn comes)
Oh Sitolia mimi, Nafahamu uko na mimi jalali (I won't cry, I know you are with me)
Iye sitolia mimi, Nafahamu upo na mimi maulana (I won't cry, God you are with me)
Ni kweli usilie mwenzio, Maulana yuko na wewe akujali
(Don't cry, God cares for you)
Kiganjani mwake amekuweka, hautabanduka (He has kept you in His palm, you won't fall)
Ni heri ni mtazamie yeye, mtazamie maulana (I am blessed to look to God)
Ni heri ni mkimbiliye yeye, mkimbilie mola (I am blessed to run to God)
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Sitolia” answers hardship with confidence in God’s nearness and care. The singer acknowledges poverty, distress, distance, and prolonged trouble without treating them as the final word. Its repeated declaration that crying will cease rests on the assurance that the Lord remains present, watches over the suffering person, and can bring light after a long night. Salvation and the soul’s security are placed in God rather than in money or easier circumstances.
Several images in the lyrics have close biblical parallels. The claim that a person is held in God’s palm recalls Isaiah 49:16, where God speaks of engraving his people on his hands. The movement from night toward dawn resembles Psalm 30:5, which contrasts a night of weeping with morning joy. The closing appeal to look toward and run to the Lord also fits Psalm 34:17-18, where God hears the righteous and remains near to the brokenhearted. The song therefore offers encouragement rooted in divine presence, perseverance, and hope that suffering is temporary.
Related Scripture
- Isaiah 49:16 God’s people are pictured as engraved on his hands, paralleling the song’s image of being held in his palm.
- Psalm 30:5 The psalm contrasts weeping at night with joy in the morning, echoing the promise of dawn after trouble.
- Psalm 34:17-18 The Lord hears those who cry out and stays near the brokenhearted.