Lyrics
Chorus
Kelerem chimo
Kelerem chimo
Kelerem onye meworom ihe maramma
Kelerem chimo
Kelerem chimo
Kelerem onye meworom ihe maramma
Kelerem chimo
Kelerem chimo
Kelerem onye meworom ihe maramma
Kelerem chimo
Kelerem chimo
Kelerem onye meworom ihe maramma
Verse 1
Umunna bia le sorom kele chukwu
Umunna bia le sorom kele chukwu
Umunna bia le Sorom kele chukwu nna
Kelerem onye meworom ihe Dimma
Umunna bia le sorom kele chukwu
Umunna bia le sorom kele chukwu
Umunna bia le Sorom kele chukwu nna
Kelerem onye meworom ihe Dimma
Chorus
Kelerem chimo
Kelerem chimo
Kelerem onye meworom ihe maramma
Kelerem chimo
Kelerem chimo
Kelerem onye meworom ihe maramma
Kelerem chimo
Kelerem chimo
Kelerem onye meworom ihe maramma
Kelerem chimo
Kelerem chimo
Kelerem onye meworom ihe maramma
Verse 1
Umunna bia le sorom kele chukwu
Umunna bia le sorom kele chukwu
Umunna bia le Sorom kele chukwu nna
Kelerem onye meworom ihe Dimma
Umunna bia le sorom kele chukwu
Umunna bia le sorom kele chukwu
Umunna bia le Sorom kele chukwu nna
Kelerem onye meworom ihe Dimma
Umunna bia le sorom kele chukwu
Umunna bia le sorom kele chukwu
Umunna bia le Sorom kele chukwu nna
Kelerem onye meworom ihe Dimma
Verse 1
Umunna bia le sorom kele chukwu
Umunna bia le sorom kele chukwu
Umunna bia le Sorom kele chukwu nna
Kelerem onye meworom ihe Dimma
Umunna bia le sorom kele chukwu
Umunna bia le sorom kele chukwu
Umunna bia le Sorom kele chukwu nna
Kelerem onye meworom ihe Dimma
Bridge
Kelerem onye meworom ihe Dimma
Kelerem onye meworom ihe Dimma
Come bless the one who has shown me mercy - who has shown me mercy
Kelerem onye meworom ihe Dimma
Everybody- from the East to the west to the north and south
Come let’s praise my God oh
Kelerem onye meworom ihe Dimma
Kelerem onye meworom ihe Dimma
Kelerem onye meworom ihe Dimma
Bridge 2
He has broken the gates of brass
Cut the bars of iron asunder
See the sons of men are free
See the sons of men are free
Umunna biale sorom kele chukwu nna
Kelerem Kelerem Kelerem
Kelerem Onye
Bless the God of my salvation
Bless the Lord
Umunna Biale biale
Umunna biale sorom kele chukwunna
Kelerem onye meworom ihe Dimma
Outro
Umunna bia le sorom kele chukwu
Umunna bia le sorom kele chukwu
Umunna biale Sorom kele chukwu nna
Kelerem onye meworom ihe Dimma
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
Kelerem Chi'mo is an Igbo-language thanksgiving song with English lines. The repeated Igbo phrases, built on the word Kelerem, express thanks to God, and the English lines say "Come bless the one who has shown me mercy" and invite everybody from east to west and north to south to praise. A call to relatives and friends to come and give thanks to God, Chukwu, is repeated throughout.
The English section also declares that He has broken the gates of brass and cut the bars of iron asunder so the sons of men are free, and calls on the singer to bless the God of salvation. Those lines come from Psalm 107:15-16, and the call to bless the Lord from Psalm 103:1-2 and Psalm 113:3. Because most of the lyrics are Igbo, this description sticks to the English lines and the repeated refrain of thanks. The strong repetition invites a congregation to join in.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 107:15-16 People are called to give thanks because God breaks gates of bronze and cuts bars of iron.
- Psalm 103:1-2 The psalmist urges the soul to bless the Lord and forget none of His benefits.
- Psalm 113:3 The Lord's name is to be praised from the rising to the setting of the sun.