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This morning, I mistakenly clicked on a music file on my phone but before I could stop it, the lyrics caught my attention… again! So I ended up putting it on repeat. It’s no other song than the good old classic piece “Yɛn Ara Asase Ni” composed by our very own Ephraim Amu (13 September 1899 – 2 January 1995).
Ephraim Amu, a native of Peki in the Volta region of Ghana, was a famous Ghanaian composer, musicologist, and teacher. He composed several songs, many of which evoked the spirit of patriotism and nationalism in Ghanaians. “Yɛn Ara Asase Ni” is one such patriotic song and I thought I should share it with you. Do take a listen.
Lyrics of “Yɛn ara asase ni” by Dr. Ephraim Amu
Twi | English |
---|---|
1st Stanza Yɛn ara asase ni Ɛyɛ aboɔdenden ma yɛn Mogya a nananom hwie gu, nya de too hɔ maa yɛn Aduru me ne wo nso so Sɛ yɛbɛyɛ bi atoa so Nimdeɛ-ntraso, nkotokrane ne apɛsɛmenkomenya Adi yɛn bra mu dɛm Ama yɛn asase ho dɔ atɔm’ sɛ | 1st Stanza
This is our (own) homeland It is priceless to us Our forefathers gained it for us at the peril of their lives It is the turn of you and I To continue the legacy Know-it-all behavior, cheating and selfishness Has maimed our character And diminished our love for our land |
Chorus (2x) Ɔman no sɛ ɛbɛyɛ yie oo! Ɔman no sɛ ɛrenyɛ yie oo! Ɛyɛ nsɛnnahɔ sɛ, ɔmanfo bra na ɛkyerɛ | Chorus (2x) Whether this nation prospers! Or it (the nation) doesn’t prosper! Clearly depends on the character of the citizenry |
2nd Stanza Nwoma nimdeɛ huhugyan Anaa adenya ara kwa Ne ɔbrakyew de, ɛsɛe ɔman na ɛbɔ no ahohora Asoɔmmerɛ ne obuo pa Yɔnkoɔ yiediepɛ daa Ahofama ntetekwaam’ Ma onipa biara yiedie Ɛnonom na ɛde asomdwoeɛ ne nkɔsoɔ pa brɛ ɔman | 2nd Stanza Bragging of educational achievements Or useless greed for material things And bad lifestyles, destroy and disgrace our nation Obedience and respect Care for others’ welfare daily Selflessness in the traditional way Ensures each person’s welfare These are what bring peace and prosperity to our nation |
Chorus (2x)
Ɔman no sɛ ɛbɛyɛ yie oo! Ɔman no sɛ ɛrenyɛ yie oo! Ɛyɛ nsɛnnahɔ sɛ, ɔmanfo bra na ɛkyerɛ | Chorus (2x) Whether this nation prospers! Or it (the nation) doesn’t prosper! Clearly depends on the character of the citizenry |
Below is a contemporary hiplife rendition of “Yɛn Ara Asase Ni” by Lynx Entertainment ft. various artistes.
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