Otuto Ugo
"The eagle represents dignity and strength in the African tradition. The song is a very well known Igbo folk tune." - Bennett
Otuto Ugo
Ode to an Eagle
Folk Song
Folk Song
(Igbo)
(English)
Onye huru Ugo jaa ya mma
na anaghi ahu ugo daa!
I ma n'ugo bere n'oji bere n'oke osisi!
Ugo bere n'oji bere n'oke osisi
Mmiri ugo jiri kwuo aka
ka ugbala jiri saa ahu
Eze nw'ugo amaka
Ugbene nw'ugo amaka
I mara mma e...uwa ga-ekwu okwu
I joro njo ee...uwa ga-ekwu okwu
I mara mma e, I joro njo e, I na-acha ka nw'ugo
Eze nw'ugo amaka
Ugbene nw'ugo amaka
If you ever get close to the Eagle,
do show some respect,
For that is a rare encounter!
Do you know that:
An Eagle nests on the Iroko tree - a rare giant tree!
Other birds would make a bath
of the Eagle's wash-hand water!
The King of Birds remains adorable
with magnificent plumage!
For you, beautiful or not, the world would notice!
Beautiful, ugly or adorable as an Eaglet
The King of Birds remains adorable
with magnificent plumage!
Comments
Bennett wrote, "The second part of the song is a folklore but I wrote the piano accompaniment and added the first part of the song, and of course arranged it for performance in concert."
Thanks!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Bennett Baldwin-Anyasodo for translating his song for us and letting us post it on Mama Lisa's World!
To hear more sung by Bennett Baldwin-Anyasodo , check out his YouTube Channel.
