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Discuss,
and Learn About the World
Don’t Gag Me (1971)
At the turn of the 70s decade, Fela revamped his music from the often monotonous Highlife to an original creation called Afro Beat and renamed his band Africa 70. With Fela’s mastery of many western instruments, his Afro Beat often featured traditional Egba (Abeokuta) rhythm. Even back then, as hip as Fela’s music was with students, I could easily see my grandma rocking to its rhythm.
Ti m’ba r’oto ma so o; o o le pa’nu mi de o 2/ce
Padiloku mi o si l’owo re o, o o le pa’nu mi de o
Agada’godo mi o si l’owo re o, o o le pa’nu mi de o
B’o timi m’ole o, o o le pa’nu mi de o
Ma a gbo, ma a gbo bi awon baba wa se nwi;
Ma a gbo bi awon baba wa se nso;
Ma a gbo Ma a gbo 2/ce
Je nwi t’emi se o
Je nwi t’emi 2/ce
Owo ki i f’owo l’orun o
Je nwi t’emi 2/ce
Otito koro; omo araye o fe o 2/ce
B’efe, b’eofe; emi a wi t’emi 2/ce
Je nwi t’emi se o
Je nwi t’emi 2/ce
Owo ki i f’owo l’orun o
Je nwi t’emi 3/ce
O o le p’anu mi de e
O o le p’anu mi de
Ma a gbo…
If I see the truth, I’ve got to speak it; don’t gag me
You don’t have the padlock to my mouth; don’t gag me
You don’t have the padlock to my mouth; don’t gag me
Even if you lock me up, don’t gag me
Listen…listen to the voices of our ancestors;
Listen to the words of our forefathers
Listen
Let me say my piece
Take care of your business;
Let me take care of mine
Truth is bitter; man doesn’t like to hear
Like it or not; I’ll say my piece
Let me say my piece
Take care of your business;
Let me take care of mine
Don’t gag me
Scats
Listen well…
Lyrics
General Translation
This nine-minute track was released on 45-RPM record. I’ve edited the latter half here to three minutes for the world’s education and entertainment.
Soundtrack edited and lyrics compiled by Bolaji (Sept. 2009)
sung in Yoruba
This was one of the early releases of his new Afro Beat style, and what a hit! He asserted his intention to hold the government accountable in the people’s service. He was to later sacrifice a lot for his stance.
Also by Fela - No Bread (click to listen and learn)
Also by Fela - Why Blackman dey Suffer (click to listen and learn)
Lagbaja - Justice for Woman (click to listen and learn)