Mr. White
Welcome to Ilaro my friend
So glad you honoured my invitation
This is The Redeemed Church
I know we play your drum kit
And blow your saxophone
With coloured lightings on the roof
I excuse your smiling at our apprenticeship
Yet you won’t deny
The other melody you can’t comprehend
See now your drum kit has stopped playing
And your saxophone is on the floor
Now even the singing halts
This is the moment
Hear
It is that melodious background sound
That is the only sound now
You now see where it comes from
You have never seen these drums
They belong to us, made by us
I know you feel the rhythm
I see it in your eyes
See that one on his shoulder
It is called gangan
See how he beats it with excitement
He is lost in his element
See
That set of drums is called bata
Hear the sound of these Yoruba drums
As it bursts through the roof
And reaches to the sky
I know you are thrilled beyond expectations
Look at our women
See them bend down
Shaking their waists to the rhythm
That cloth they tie is called aso oke
Do you see the gele on their head
I know you too are getting lost
In the throb of these drums
See the entire building
Is alive with ibile dance
As we celebrate the birth of Christ
It was your ancestors that introduced
Christ to our ancestors
But we found out he is actually one of us
It is his blood that flows in us
He speaks our tongue
Hence we greet Him saying
Kabiyesi o!
Written by: Oghenero Ezaza
Edited by: Kukogho Iruesiri Samson
