“Ìgbà Ìrànwọ́” by Sola Allyson is a deeply reflective Yoruba gospel song about perseverance, personal growth, and divine timing. The song tells the story of walking through life’s journey alone at first, gaining experiences through challenges, and eventually reaching the moment when help and support finally arrive.
The song “Ìgbà Ìrànwọ́” by Sola Allyson is a Yoruba gospel song about going through life alone at first, gaining experience, and eventually reaching the time when help comes.
Verse / Chorus (Line-by-Line)
Yoruba:
Ṣèbí mo dé’bí láìsẹ́nìkan t’ó dì mí l’ọ́wọ́ mú
English:
Didn’t I arrive here with no one holding my hand?
Yoruba:
Ṣèbí mo dé’bí láìsẹ́nìkan t’ó dì mí l’ọ́wọ́ mú
English:
Didn’t I come here without anyone guiding me?
Yoruba:
Àwọn t’ó yẹ k’ọ́n dì mí l’ọ́wọ́ mú wọ́n ọn pà mí tì
English:
Those who should have helped me pushed me aside.
Yoruba:
Òye ìrìn mi ò yé wọn
English:
They did not understand my journey.
Yoruba:
Ìrìn mo níláti rìn mo rìn
English:
The journey I had to walk, I walked it.
Yoruba:
Ìrírí tí mo ní láti ní mo ní
English:
The experiences I needed to gain, I gained them.
Yoruba:
Ìgbà ìrànwọ́ dé o
English:
The time for help has finally come.
Yoruba:
Ọ̀pọ̀ yí mi ká wọ́n dì mí l’ọ́wọ́ mú
English:
Now many people surround me and hold my hands.
Another Section
Yoruba:
Wọ́n dì mí l’ọwọ́ mú wọ́n p’agbo yí mi ká
English:
They hold my hands and gather around me.
Yoruba:
Wọ́n dì mí l’ọ́wọ́ mú wọ́n súugbà à mi
English:
They hold my hands and support me.
Yoruba:
Wọ́n l’ó yé ìrìn mi wọ́n gbé mi l’ọ́wọ́ ró
English:
They understand my journey and lift me up.
Meaning of the Song
The message is:
- At first you may walk your path alone.
- Even people who should support you may not understand you.
- But through the journey you gain experience and strength.
- Eventually your “ìgbà ìrànwọ́” (time of help/support) will come.
It’s basically a song of patience, destiny, and divine timing.
I’m a music blogger and lyrics translator passionate about helping listeners understand the real meaning behind songs. On this blog, I translate and explain lyrics especially African and gospel music so readers can connect with the message beyond the language.