How many of us know this classic Yoruba poem - ISÉ NI ÒÒGÙN ÌSÉ? It simply means “Work is the antidote for poverty”. For some of us who recognize it, this was a poem we all learned by heart in Primary School even though we never really appreciated its depth. This was recently translated by one Prof. Quansy Salako for teaching some Yoruba children in the Diaspora. The poem, in my opinion, should be one of the driving forces as we journey through life.

Let’s all read and pass down to our children and the generations to come.

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 (Aspiring to higher height is fully dependent on hard work)

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 trust (we can 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 TÉ 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.

Beautiful poem.

I actually had to analyze this in my Yoruba class, of course we werent provided with any translation.

Concerning the poem, we really need to reflect on this. And it is not just a Yoruba palava. The world has gone from hardworking men to men looking for easy ways to make money. The few hardworking ones are being deleted onne by one. But ofcourse, we must accept it as God's way of making the world a better place.