African Traditions · Pidgin / English
Na Village Raise Me
An ode to the truth that it takes a village to raise a child — honoring everyone who shaped a life with love and discipline.
Lyrics
Before city lights
Before everybody lock door
Na village raise pikin
Many hands, one future
Eh-hehh, eh-hehh
Africa remember
Na village raise me ooo
Many hands dey guide me ooo
Mama no be one alone
Everybody be my own
Eh-heyyy, eh-heyyy
Village love no dey die
When I fall, dem lift me up
When I cry, dem call my name
Raise am, teach am
Love am, guide am
Na village raise the child
Moonlight shining for village square
Children gather everywhere
Grandmama dey tell old stories
Tortoise wisdom, ancient glories
By the fire we dey learn respect
Every elder deserve respect
If you stubborn for road too much
Another mama fit correct
No be anger, na love dey teach
Wisdom no dey hard to reach
Character na village business
Every child na everybody’s gift
Uforo ye ima ke uwem
Love and peace are life
Ke imọñ ikọt ọwọrọ
Wisdom builds the community
Talking drum begin to speak
Calling strong and lifting weak
If one child cry, village hear
Nobody walk this life in fear
Who raise the child?
Na all of us
Who show the way?
Na elders first
Na village raise me ooo
Many hands dey guide me ooo
Mama no be one alone
Everybody be my own
Eh-heyyy, eh-heyyy
Village love no dey die
When I stumble, dem hold my hand
When I weak, dem make me stand
Teach am, raise am
Love am, guide am
No be classroom only we learn
Farm and river make us understand
How to work and how to share
How to carry people matter
Older brother watch younger one
Morning till the setting sun
Sister carry baby gently
Learning care intentionally
Papa teach the fishing line
Mama show how crops go shine
Market teach responsibility
Life itself become university
Nwa bu nke obodo
A child belongs to the community
Omode gbon, agba gbon
The child and elder both bring wisdom
Ancestors whisper through the trees
Teach the young with dignity
Culture living through the people
Roots no fit fade away
Yaro na kowa ne
The child belongs to everyone
We remember
We remember
Na village raise me ooo
Many hands dey guide me ooo
From the elders to the young
We are stronger when we one
Eh-heyyy, eh-heyyy
Africa spirit never die
No forget where you come from
No forget the ancient road
Raise them, love them
Guide them, teach them
It takes a village
The child we raise today
Na tomorrow we build
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