Lyrics to Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche (Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo) Gentleman, Mike Ejeagha: How Tortoise Sold Elephant. An Igbo folk song, Nigerian Folktales, African, Tortoise Tales, Read Free Stories online, FablingPam, Fablingverse
Lyrics
Chorus Intro:
Nnam eze, a kpàtà m enyi
My father, king, I have bought and brought Elephant.
Nnam eze, a kpàtà m enyi
My father, king, I have bought and brought Elephant.
Nwa mbè
Child of Tortoise
Isi na-i kpàta onye?
You said you brought who?
Nwa mbè
Child of Tortoise
Isi na-i kpàta onye?
You said you brought who?
Na asịm Ani ya dèbe enyi chebe enyi
I told Ani to take care of and protect Elephant.
Ọ dị ka asị na-m kpàtà m enyi
It sounded like I said that I have bought and brought Elephant.
Na asịm Ani ya dụbe enyi chebe enyi
I told Ani to take care of and protect Elephant.
Ọ dị ka asị na-m kpàtà m enyi
It sounded like I said that I have bought and brought Elephant.
Okwá enyi ga-abụ isi oche
Is it not Elephant that will become chairman?
Okwá enyi ga-abụ isi oche
Is it not Elephant that will become chairman?
Enyi na-agá n’ányị so gị n’azụ
Elephant, be going, we are behind you.
Enyi na-agá n’ányị so gị n’azụ
Elephant, be going, we are behind you.
Na asịm Ani ya jebe enyi chebe enyi
I told Ani to go before and protect Elephant.
Ọ dị ka asị na-m kpàtà m enyi
It sounded like I said that I have bought and brought Elephant.
Na asịm Ani ya jebe enyi chebe enyi
I told Ani to go before and protect Elephant.
Ọ dị ka asị na-m kpàtà m enyi
It sounded like I said that I have bought and brought Elephant.
Okwá enyi ga-abụ isi oche
Is it not Elephant that will become chairman?
Okwá enyi ga-abụ isi oche
Is it not Elephant that will become chairman?
Enyi na-agá n’ányị so gị n’azụ
Elephant, be going, we are behind you.
Enyi na-agá n’ányị so gị n’azụ
Elephant, be going, we are behind you.
Na asịm Ani ya jebe enyi chebe enyi
I told Ani to go before and protect Elephant.
Ọ dị ka asị na-m kpàtà m enyi
It sounded like I said that I have bought and brought Elephant.
Na asịm Ani ya jebe enyi chebe enyi
I told Ani to go before and protect Elephant.
Ọ dị ka asị na-m kpàtà m enyi
It sounded like I said that I have bought and brought Elephant.
Okwá enyi ga-abụ isi oche
Is it not Elephant that will become chairman?
Okwá enyi ga-abụ isi oche
Is it not Elephant that will become chairman?
Enyi na-agá n’ányị so gị n’azụ
Elephant, be going, we are behind you.
Enyi na-agá n’ányị so gị n’azụ
Elephant, be going, we are behind you.
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
I ge nti,
If you listen,
Ị ga-anụ ka e si le onye isi oche
You will hear how they sold the head of the chair,
Nke a na-akpọ chairman.
The one they call chairman.
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Chorus:
Nnam eze, a kpàtà m enyi
My father, king, I have bought and brought Elephant,
Nnam eze, a kpàtà m enyi
My father, king, I have bought and brought Elephant.
Nwa mbè
Child of Tortoise
Isi na-i kpàta onye?
You said you brought who?
Nwa mbè
Child of Tortoise
Isi na-i kpàta onye?
You said you brought who?
Na asịm Ani ya dụbe enyi chebe enyi
I told Ani to keep and protect Elephant.
Ọ dị ka asị na-m kpàtà m enyi
It sounded like I said that I have bought and brought Elephant.
Na asịm Ani ya dụbe enyi chebe enyi
I told Ani to keep and protect Elephant.
Ọ dị ka asị na-m kpàtà m enyi
It sounded like I said that I have bought and brought Elephant.
Okwá enyi ga-abụ isi oche
Is it not Elephant that will become chairman?
Okwá enyi ga-abụ isi oche
Is it not Elephant that will become chairman?
Enyi na-agá n’ányị so gị n’azụ
Elephant, be going, we are behind you.
Enyi na-agá n’ányị so gị n’azụ
Elephant, be going, we are behind you.
Na asịm Ani ya jebe enyi chebe enyi
I told Ani to go before and protect Elephant.
Ọ dị ka asị na-m kpàtà m enyi
It sounded like I said that I have bought and brought Elephant.
Na asịm Ani ya dụbe enyi chebe enyi
I told Ani to keep and protect Elephant.
Enyi na-agá n’ányị so gị n’azụ
Elephant, be going, we are behind you.
Enyi na-agá n’ányị so gị n’azụ
Elephant, be going, we are behind you.
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Verse 1:
Adaeze ka di biakataru, biakataru, biakataru,
It’s Ada the suitors came for, came for, and came for.
Onye enu bia,
The person from the sky came,
Onye ani bia,
The person from the ground came,
O jụ.
She refused.
Anụ enu abịa,
The animal from the sky came,
Anụ ani abịa,
The animal from the earth came,
O jụ.
She refused.
O wee luo ụfọ ụbọchị, nna ya wee kpoo ya, Adaeze,
Then one day her father called her, Adaeze.
Kpoo ya, kpoo nne ya, kpoo ụmụ ya, ndị ọzọ.
Called her, called her mother, called all her other relatives,
Wee sị ya kee ihe kpataranu.
And asked her, what has brought about her rejection of suitors.
Di nke izizi abịa,
The first suitor came,
I jụ.
You refused.
Nke abụọ abịa,
The second came,
I jụ.
You refused.
Nke atọ abịa,
The third came,
I jụ.
You refused.
Nke anọ abịa,
The fourth came,
I jụ.
You refused.
Na ya chọ ka umunne ya niile,
That he wants all her relatives,
Na onye be soro ka fa juo ya ajuju, Ada.
So that her family can join and ask her,
“O na-adikwanu mma anọkata?”
Is it not good to get married?
Onye isi nwe ụlọ, ọ bụ nna,
The head of the house, who is the father,
Okpokọo nne,
Called the mother,
Kpọkọọ ụmụaka.
Called the children.
Faa niile agbako, nwe nzukọ,
All of them gathered and held a meeting.
Onye ọ bụla ekwe ihe na-ebu ya,
Everybody spoke their minds.
Onye ọ bụla ekwu uche ya.
Everybody shared what was in their hearts.
Maka na ọ na-amaka,
Because it is good,
Ebe a ka ụmụaka na onwe fa na-agọta onwe fa,
It is then that the children themselves began to understand themselves.
Nee, ana-agọta nna, ana-agọta nne,
The father began to understand, the mother began to understand.
Ka o nweziri nzukọ faa nwere,
Because of the meeting that they had.
Oge ahụ ka Adaeze ji mepee ọnụ,
That was when Adaeze opened her mouth,
Wee sị na onye ọbuna bụ onye ga-anụ ya,
And said that whoever will marry her,
Na ọ ga-akpọtarịrị enyi,
Must purchase an elephant,
Ka ọ ga-abụ enwe emume a na-eme na be fa,
So that when there is any ceremony in their town,
Ka ya ligoro elu enyi ya na-agagharị.
She will climb Elephant and parade around.
Ama kwa na ya bụ Adaeze.
So that everybody knows that she is Adaeze.
Chorus:
Nnam eze, a kpàtà m enyi
My father, king, I have bought and brought Elephant
Nnam eze, a kpàtà m enyi
My father, king, I have bought and brought Elephant
Nwa mbè
Child of Tortoise
Isi na-i kpàta onye?
You said you brought who?
Nwa mbè
Child of Tortoise
Isi na-i kpàta onye?
You said you brought who?
Na a yịm Ani ya dụbe enyi chebe enyi
I begged Ani to take care of and protect elephant
Ọ dị ka asị na-m kpàtà m enyi
It sounded like I said that I have bought and brought elephant
Na asịm Ani ya jebe enyi chebe enyi
I told Ani to go before and protect elephant
Ọ dị ka asị na-m kpàtà m enyi
It sounded like I said that I have bought and brought elephant
Okwá enyi ga-abụ isi oche
Is it not elephant that will become chairman?
Okwá enyi ga-abụ isi oche
Is it not elephant that will become chairman?
Enyi na-agá n’ányị so gị n’azụ
Elephant be going, we are behind you.
Enyi na-agá n’ányị so gị n’azụ
Elephant be going, we are behind you.
Na asịm Ani ya jebe enyi chebe enyi
I told Ani to go before and protect elephant
Ọ dị ka asị na-m kpàtà m enyi
It sounded like I said that I have bought and brought elephant
Na asịm Ani ya dụbe enyi chebe enyi
I told Ani to keep and protect elephant
Ọ dị ka asị na-m kpàtà m enyi
It sounded like I said that I have bought and brought elephant
Okwá enyi ga-abụ isi oche
Is it not elephant that will become chairman?
Okwá enyi ga-abụ isi oche
Is it not elephant that will become chairman?
Enyi na-agá n’ányị so gị n’azụ
Elephant be going, we are behind you.
Enyi na-agá n’ányị so gị n’azụ
Elephant be going, we are behind you.
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Verse 2:
Oge a na-ekwu ifa niile,
When they were discussing all these things,
Mbe na onwe ejego.
Tortoise himself had gone.
Okwu ya bụ nwataakịrị nwaanyị,
To ask for the hand of this female child.
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Achụ a ya ụkwụ elu ana.
And overheard the discussion.
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Mbe na enyi bụ ezigbo enyi,
Tortoise and Elephant were great friends.
Mbe wee kụlịe wee jebe na ebe enyi,
Tortoise stood up and went to Elephant’s place,
Wee jee gwa enyi, sị ya na Eze ga agbakwanu ofala.
Went to tell Elephant that the king will soon hold the Ofala festival.
Eze ga agba ofala, Eze sikwu ya si enyi si, na ọ gi ga-abụ onye isi oche.
The king will hold the Ofala festival, and he (The king) said that he should tell Elephant that it is you that will be the chairman.
Enyi wee sị mbe, ya kwụkene ife ọ kwụrụ ọzọ.
Elephant then told Tortoise to say what he said again.
O sị ya na Eze sị ya ge zị enyi na ya ga agba ofala,
He (Tortoise) said that the king told him to go and tell Elephant he will hold the Ofala festival,
Na ndi bu enyi ga-abụ onye isi oche.
And that those that are elephants will be the chairman.
Ya na, ụbọchị aga-eme ya ife,
That on that day, this will happen,
Ya achọkwa ka, ka achọ ya achọ,
He (Tortoise) does not want Elephant to be missing,
Na ọ ga-ebunye kwa ndị ga-abịa oji.
Because he (Elephant) will present kola nuts to those who come.
Enyi nụlia nụlia nụ lịchachacha sia,
Elephant was filled with joy,
Maka na ọ na-achọ ụzọ ọ ga-esi ruo na bee Eze nso,
Because he was looking for the day he would get to the king’s palace,
Ka ọma ma ọ ga-enwe ike jee kuo ada Eze ilu.
And he knew that this would be his (Elephant’s) opportunity to ask for the princess’s hand in marriage.
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Chorus:
Nnam eze, a kpàtà m enyi
My father, king, I have bought and brought Elephant
Nnam eze, a kpàtà m enyi
My father, king, I have bought and brought Elephant
Nwa mbè
Child of Tortoise
Isi na-i kpàta onye?
You said you brought who?
Nwa mbè
Child of Tortoise
Isi na-i kpàta onye?
You said you brought who?
Na a sim Ani ya jebe enyi chebe enyi
I told Ani to go before and protect elephant
Ọ dị ka asị na-m kpàtà m enyi
It sounded like I said that I have bought and brought elephant
Na a sịm Ani ya dube enyi chebe enyi
I told Ani to keep and protect elephant
Ọ dị ka asị na-m kpàtà m enyi
It sounded like I said that I have bought and brought elephant
Okwá enyi ga-abụ isi oche
Is it not elephant that will become chairman?
Okwá enyi ga-abụ isi oche
Is it not elephant that will become chairman?
Enyi na-agá n’ányị so gị n’azụ
Elephant be going, we are behind you.
Enyi na-agá n’ányị so gị n’azụ
Elephant be going, we are behind you.
Na a sịm Ani ya dube enyi chebe enyi
I told Ani to keep and protect elephant
Ọ dị ka asị na-m kpàtà m enyi
It sounded like I said that I have bought and brought elephant
Na asịm Ani ya dụbe enyi chebe enyi
I told Ani to keep and protect elephant
Ọ dị ka asị na-m kpàtà m enyi
It sounded like I said that I have bought and brought elephant
Okwá enyi ga-abụ isi oche
Is it not elephant that will become chairman?
Okwá enyi ga-abụ isi oche
Is it not elephant that will become chairman?
Enyi na-agá n’ányị so gị n’azụ
Elephant be going, we are behind you.
Enyi na-agá n’ányị so gị n’azụ
Elephant be going, we are behind you.
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Verse 3:
Ka fa kparisịrị ya bụ nkata.
As they finished discussing the matter,
Mbe na enyi,
Tortoise and Elephant,
Mbe wee naba,
Tortoise then returned,
Wee jee ga gwa eze,
And went to tell the king,
Sị a na ụbọchị ọ ga-abịa nkwu Ada.
Saying that the next day he will come for Ada’s hand.
Eze wee sị ya, udi Ada ya kwụ.
The king then told him what Ada had said.
Mbe wee sị ya ye ekwusikwanịa ike,
Tortoise then told him not to talk too much,
Ya biazia,
That when he comes,
Ife ya furu o welu.
What he sees he should take,
Ka chi ụbọsi elusịa.
When that day reached
Mbe wee jekwuru enyi,
Tortoise then went to Elephant,
Tupu ọ jee na be enyi chị agbaghọchara sigo.
Before going to Elephant’s place, that day had almost ended.
Anwu ekisibego Ike,
The sun has lost its power.
Enyi si ya mbe, “Ka isi I we na abịa kita?”
Elephant asked Tortoise, “Why are you coming at this time?”
Ebe wa si na ya ga-abụ isi oche ka
Considering they said I would be the chairman,
Oga abụ ebe ya lugo oburu na ya ejero na oge,
It is that when the time comes it will be that I did not go there on time.
Kedu ife ina-eme?
What are you doing?
Mbe si ya, “Gba nkiti,
Tortoise replied, “Please endure.
Gba nkiti, fa ga ejesi Ike,”
Endure, we will hurry there.”
Enyi si ya ngwa, ngwa, ngwa, “Ya kwado ka fa jebe ejebe,”
Elephant said, “Quickly, quickly, quickly, prepare so that we can start going.”
Na otogo eri ụtụtụ ka ya yi si akwa yikwalishasha sia na eche ya ka ọ bịa,
That he has worn his clothes since morning and has been waiting a long time for him (Tortoise) to arrive.
Mbe si ya, “Na oburu na ije,
Tortoise told him that if it’s not for the long journey
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Ka faa na ejezi na ụzọ,”
That they are going by road.
Enyi si mbe, “Ya gasibe Ike,
Elephant said to Tortoise, “Go with strength,
Gasibe Ike, na fa adịghị ejesi kwanu Ike na fa,
Go with strength, we have not gone far enough to be tired.
Ka fa anokwa u na ụzọ ife me ne me ndi mmadụ anasia,”
Let them continue on the road and what will happen will happen and everybody has will go home.
Wa buru na fa ejekwutero ya bụ ife,
Let them continue on the road that everybody has gone home.
Enyi na fe ku
After elephant spoke
Mbe wee kpoo enyi, “Si a na oma na ukwu nke ya bụ enyi kari nke ya, ogonogo ogayata ya na echetuna na nwa ntiti,”
Tortoise then called Elephant and said, “You know that your legs are that of an elephant and are longer than mine by far.
Enyi wee kpoo mbe, “Si na ya ama echizikwa ya na ya ga na agasi Ike,”
Elephant then called Tortoise and said, “I know that, so I will try to walk gently.”
Mbe wee si enyi, “Ya biko kaya rigoro na azu ya nu,”
Tortoise then said to Elephant, “Please, let me climb on your back.”
Enyi wee si ya, “Ga rigoro na azu ya, ya ga si ike.”
Elephant then said to him, “climb on my back, do it faxt”
Ya mee osiso, Rigoro na azu ya ka faa jego osiso,”
He should hurry up and climb on his back so that we may go faster.
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Mbe amagoluo mee ukwu tikom, tikom, tikom,
Tortoise climbe on elephant’s back making the sound, ‘tikom, tikom, tikom,’ with his legs
Ka omahoro na azu enyi,
As he climbed on Elephant’s back,
Owee kpoo enyi, “Si ya na o fugo na ukwu ya,
He then called Elephant, “That he can see that his (Elephant) legs
Toro ogologo nke ya Imago na azu ya bu enyi,”
Are way longer than his and not long enough for him to climb and sit on Elephant’s back.
Biko ka ya weru eriri a ya ji na aka wee kedo enyi na olu ka ọ bụrụ ya bu na ejide ya aka na elugo azu enyi ka ọ wee fa a ga.”
Please, let me use this rope in my hands and tie it around your neck so that I can hold it behind you and sit comfortably on your back so that we can go.
Enyi sị ya, “Nke ị na-eme, mee ya osisi ka fa jebe ejebe na oge na fa aga.”
Elephant said, “Whatever you do, do it quickly, so that we can be going,
Mbe we welu ụdọ onu, we kede enyi na olu elugonu na azu enyi, nodu ani
Tortoise then took the big rope and tied around Elephant’s neck and climbed on Elephant’s back, sat down
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Ya na a kwu jebe si bee Eze nso
And as they approached eze’s place
Mbe wee wenyu unu.
Tortoise began to smiled
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Chorus
Nnam eze, a kpàtà m enyi
My father, king, I have bought and brought Elephant
Nnam eze, a kpàtà m enyi
My father, king, I have bought and brought Elephant
Enyi si ya, Isi gi ni?
Elephant asked him, “You said what?”
Nwa mbè
Child of Tortoise
Isi na-i kpàta onye?
You said you brought who?
Nwa mbè
Child of Tortoise
Isi na-i kpàta onye?
You said you brought who?
Mbe si ya mba
Tortoise told him “No.”
Na a sim Ani ya jebe enyi chebe enyi
I told Ani to go before and protect elephant
Ọ dị ka asị na-m kpàtà m enyi
It sounded like I said that I have bought and brought elephant
Na a sim Ani ya jebe enyi chebe enyi
I told Ani to go before and protect elephant
Ọ dị ka asị na-m kpàtà m enyi
It sounded like I said that I have bought and brought elephant
Okwá enyi ga-abụ isi oche
Is it not elephant that will become chairman?
Okwá enyi ga-abụ isi oche
Is it not elephant that will become chairman?
Enyi na-agá n’ányị so gị n’azụ
Elephant be going, we are behind you.
Enyi na-agá n’ányị so gị n’azụ
Elephant be going, we are behind you.
Na a sim Ani ya jebe enyi chebe enyi
I told Ani to go before and protect elephant
Ọ dị ka asị na-m kpàtà m enyi
It sounded like I said that I have bought and brought elephant
Na asịm Ani ya dụbe enyi chebe enyi
I told Ani to keep and protect elephant
Ọ dị ka asị na-m kpàtà m enyi
It sounded like I said that I have bought and brought elephant
Okwá enyi ga-abụ isi oche
Is it not elephant that will become chairman?
Okwá enyi ga-abụ isi oche
Is it not elephant that will become chairman?
Enyi na-agá n’ányị so gị n’azụ
Elephant be going, we are behind you.
Enyi na-agá n’ányị so gị n’azụ
Elephant be going, we are behind you.
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Fe a ka enyi dugajide wee ebe ọ na-eduga sia.
That is how Elephant trudged on, accompanying him.
Wee jee gwo gwo gwo gwo gwo nke onye ga-abụ Isi Oche, Chairman.
Going ‘gwo gwo gwo gwo gwo’ like someone who would be Chairman.
Eze welu, em…
The king took…
Mbe we luru na ebe Adaeze.
Mbe then reached Adaeze’s place.
Wee were ụdọ onu o jị na aka wee nye Eze na aka.
And he took the big rope which he was holding and placed it in the King’s hand.
Sị ya na ife a bụ ihe ọ ga-eji lụọ Ada ya nwaanyị.
Telling him that this is what he will use to marry his first daughter.
Ya bụ, ndị be anyị,
That is, our people,
Unu ga-ama na,
You should know that,
Onye m dugaara m na ozi na n’efu,
My friend asked me to accompany them on an errand for free,
Ya bụ, ị ga-edukwara mmadụ na ozi,
That is, if you will escort someone on an errand,
Uche gị dịkwa na ya.
Your mind should be in it.
Gwo gwo gwo ngwo
Chorus (Fade):
Nnam eze, a kpàtà m enyi
My father, king, I have bought and brought Elephant.
Nnam eze, a kpàtà m enyi
My father, king, I have bought and brought Elephant.
Nwa mbè
Child of Tortoise
Isi na-i kpàta onye?
You said you brought who?
Nwa mbè
Child of Tortoise
Isi na-i kpàta onye?
You said you brought who?
Na asịm Ani ya dèbe enyi chebe enyi
I told Ani to take care of and protect Elephant.
Ọ dị ka asị na-m kpàtà m enyi
It sounded like I said that I have bought and brought Elephant.
Na asịm Ani ya dụbe enyi chebe enyi
I told Ani to take care of and protect Elephant.
Ọ dị ka asị na-m kpàtà m enyi
It sounded like I said that I have bought and brought Elephant.
If you enjoyed the lyrics to Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche, you may enjoy the THE TALE OF OMEKAGU – LYRICS Another banging folk song by Gentlema, Mike Ejeagha