ISÉ NI ÒÒGÙN ÌSÉ Work is the antidote for poverty

For some of us who recognize it, this was a poem we all learned by heart while in elementary school and I believe it is one of the driving forces in our lives as we grow. This was translated by one Prof. Quansy Salako for teaching some Yoruba children in the Diaspora. Enjoy it.

ISÉ NI ÒÒGÙN ÌSÉ --- Work is the antidote for poverty

MÚRA SÍ ISÉ RE ÒRÉÈ MI ---Work hard, my friend

ISÉ NI A FI Í DI ENI GIGA ---Work is used to elevate one in
respect and importance

BÍ A KÒ BÁ RÉNI FÈYÌN TÌ, BÍ ÒLE LÀ Á RÍ--- If we do not
have anyone to lean on, we appear indolent

BÍ A KO RÉNI GBÉKÈLÉ --- If we do not have anyone to depend on...

À A TERA MÓ ISÉ ENI --- We simply work harder

ÌYÁ RE LÈ LÓWÓ LÓWÓ ---Your mother may be wealthy

BÀBÁ SÌ LÈ LÉSIN LÉÈKÀN --- Your father may have a ranch full
of horses

BÍ O BÁ GBÓJÚ LÉ WON --- If you depend on their riches alone

O T É TÁN NI MO SO FÚN O--- You may end up in disgrace, I tell you

OHUN TÍ A KÒ BA JÌYÀ FÚN ---Whatever gain one does not
work hard to earn.

KÌ Í LÈ TÓJÓ --- Usually does not last

OHUN TÍ A BÁ FARA SISÉ FÚN ---Whatever gain one works hard
to earn

NÍ Í PÉ LÓWÓ ENI --- Is the one that lasts in one's hands (while
in ones possession)

APÁ LARÁ, ÌGÙNPÁ NÌYEKAN --- The arm is a relative, the elbow is
a sibling

BÍ AYÉ N FÉ O LÓNÌÍ --- You may be loved by all today

BÍ O BÁ LÓWÓ LÓWÓ --- It is when you have money

NI WON Á MÁA FÉ O LÓLA ---That they will love you tomorrow

TÀBÍ TÍ O BÁ WÀ NÍ IPÒ ÀTÀTÀ - Or when you are in a high position

AYÉ Á YÉ O SÍ TÈRÍN-TÈRÍN--- All will honor you with cheers
and smiles

JÉ KÍ O DI ENI N RÁÁGÓ --- Wait till you become poor or
are struggling to get by

KÍ O RÍ BÁYÉ TI Í SÍMÚ SÍ O ---And you will see how all grimace
at you as they pass you by

ÈKÓ SÌ TÚN N SONI Í DÒGÁ---Education also elevates one in position

MÚRA KÍ O KÓ O DÁRADÁRA - Work hard to acquire good education

BÍ O SÌ RÍ ÒPÒ ÈNÌYÀN --- And if you see a lot of people

TÍ WÓN N FI ÈKÓ SE ÈRÍN RÍN-- Making education a laughing stock

DÁKUN MÁ SE FARA WÉ WON --- Please do not emulate or keep
their company

ÌYÀ N BÒ FÓMO TÍ KÒ GBÓN --- Suffering is lying in wait for
an unserious kid

EKÚN N BE FÓMO TÓ N SÁ KIRI --- Sorrow is in the reserve for
a truant kid

MÁ FÒWÚRÒ SERÉ, ÒRÉÈ MI --- Do not play with your early years,
my friend

MÚRA SÍSÉ, OJÓ N LO-- Work harder, time and tide wait for no one.

nice!

oh yes, I remember the recitation in assembly hall Thank u OP, very NICE


Question: any reason "Iyekan" was used here as opposed to "Obakan"?

APÁ LARÁ, ÌGÙNPÁ NÌYEKAN