A LIST OF YORUBA CHRISTMAS SONGS/HYMNS

Most of us are so focused on learning and singing hymns, songs, and carols in English that we forget that there are also amazing lists of Yoruba Christmas Songs. The Christmas season is such a colorful, joyful season, and what makes it so interesting is the numerous hymns, carols, and songs that allow you to sing your heart out. It is more colorful when you can also sing them as English Christmas Songs, Igbo Christmas Songs, and in numerous other languages.

Below is a list of Yoruba Christmas Songs and their lyrics.

1. AJIN JEN ORU MIMO (Silent Night)

1.  AJIN jin, oru mimo,

     Okun su, ‘mole de,

     Awon Olus’ agutan nsona, 

     Omo titun t’o wa l’oju orun.

      Simi n‘nu alafia, 

      Simi n’nu alafia.

2.  Ajin jin, oru mimo.

     Mole de, okun sa,

     Oluso agutan gb’orin Angeli, 

     Kabiyesi Alelluya Oba.

     Jesu Olugbala de, 

     Jesu Olugbala de.

3.  Ajin jin, oru mimo,

     ‘Rawo orun tan ‘mole,

     Wo awon Amoye ila orun, 

     Mu ore won wa fun Oba wa.

     Jesu Olugbala de, 

     Jesu Olugbala de.

4.  Ajin jin oru mimo, 

     ‘Rawo, orun tan ‘mole,

      Ka pelu awon Angeli Korin, 

      Kabiyesi Aileluya Oba

      Jesu Olugbala de, 

      Jesu Olugbala de.  Amin

2. GBO EDA ORUN NKORIN (HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING)

1. Gbo eda orun nkorin,

    “Ogo fun Oba t’ a bi”.

    “Alafia laiye yi”

     Olorun ba wa laja.

     Gbogbo eda, nde layo,

     Dapo mo hiho orun;

     W’ Alade Alafia !

     Wo Orun ododo de.

2. O bo ’go Re sapakan,

    A bi k’ enia ma ku,

    A bi k’ o gb’ enia ro,

    A bi k’ o le tun wa bi.

    Wa, ireti enia,

    Se ile Re ninu wa;

    N’ de, Iru Omobinrin,

    Bori Esu ninu wa.

3. Pa aworan Adam run,

    F’ aworan Re s’ ipo re;

   Jo, masai f’ Emi Re kun

   Okan gbogb’ onigbagbo.

   “Ogo fun Oba t’ a bi,”

   Je ki gbogbo wa gberin,

   “Alafia laiye yi,”

   Olorun ba wa laja. Amin.

3. AYO B’ AIYE! OLUWA DE (JOY TO THE WORLD)

1. Ayo b’ aiye ! Oluwa de;

    K’ aiye gba Oba re;

    Ki gbogbo okan mura de,

    K’ aiye korin soke.

2. Ayo b’ aiye ! Jesu joba,

    E je k’ a ho f’ ayo;

    Gbogbo igbe, omi, oke,

    Nwon ngberin ayo na.

3. K’ ese on ’yonu pin l’ aiye,

    K’ egun ye hu n’ ile;

    O de lati mu bukun san

    De ’bi t’ egun gbe de.

4. O f’ oto at’ ife joba,

    O je k’ oril’ ede

    Mo ododo ijoba Re,

    At’ ife ’yanu Re. Amin

4. WA ENYIN OLOTO (O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL)

1. Wa enyin oloto,

L’ ayo at’ isegun,

Wa kalo, wa kalo si Betlehem,

Wa kalo wo o !

Oba awon Angel !

E wa kalo juba Re,

E wa kalo juba Re,

E wa k’a lo juba Kristi Oluwa.

2. Olodumare ni,

Imole Ododo,

Ko si korira inu Wundia ;

Olorun papa ni,

Ti a bi, t’ a ko da:

E wa kalo juba Re, &c.

3. Angeli, e korin,

Korin itoye re;

Ki gbogbo eda orun si gberin:

Ogo f’ Olorun

L’ oke orun lohun:

E wa kalo juba Re, &c.

4. Nitoto, a wole

F’ Oba t’ a bi loni;

Jesu Iwo li awa nfi ogo fun:

’Wo omo Baba,

T’o gbe ara wa wo !

E wa kalo juba Re,

E wa kalo juba Re,

E wa kalo juba Kristi Oluwa. Amin

5. NIGBA KAN NI BETLEHEMU (ONCE IN ROYAL DAVID’S CITY)

1. Nigba kan ni Betlehemu,

Ile kekere kan wa;

Nib’ iya kan te ’mo re si,

Lori ibuje eran:

Maria n’ iya Omo na,

Jesu Krist si l’ Omo na.

2. O t’ orun wa sode aiye,

On l’ Olorun Oluwa;

O f’ ile eran se ile,

’Buje eran dun ’busun.

Lodo awon otosi

Ni Jesu gbe li aiye.

3. Ni gbogbo igba ewe Re,

O ngboran, o si mb’ ola,

O nferan o si nteriba,

Fun iya ti ntoju Re:

O ye ki gbogb’ omode

K’ o se olugboran be.

4. ’Tori On je awose wa,

A ma dagba bi awa,

O kere, ko le da nkan se,

A ma sokun bi awa;

O si le ba wa daro,

O le ba wa yo pelu.

5. Ao f’ oju wa ri nikehin

Ni agbara ife Re,

Nitori Omo rere yi

Ni Oluwa wa lorun, Lowo otun Olorun.

’Gba ’won ’mo Re b’ irawo

Ba wa n’nu aso ala. Amin.

6. ANGELS FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY (EYIN ANGEL L’ ORUN OGO)

1. Eyin Angel l’ orun ogo,

To yi gbogbo aiye ka;

E ti korin dida aiye,

E so t’ ibi Messia;

E wa josin, E wa josin,

Fun Kristi Oba titun.

2. Enyin Oluso- agutan,

Ti nso eran nyin loru,

Emanueli wa ti de,

Irawo omo na ntan;

E wa josin, &c.

3. Onigbagbo ti nteriba,

Ni ’beru at’ ireti

L’ ojiji l’ Oluwa o de

Ti yio mu nyin re ’le.

E wa josin, &c.

4. Elese ’wo alaironu

Elebi ati egbe

Ododo Olorun duro,

Anu npe o, pa ’wa da;

Sa wa josin, &c.

5. Gbogbo eda e fo f’ ayo,

Jesu Olugbala de.

Anfani miran ko si mo

B’ eyi ba fo nyin koja;

Nje, e wa sin, Nje, e wa sin,

Sin Kristi Oba Ogo. Amin

7. IRAWO WO L’EYI  (BEHOLD WHAT STAR IS THIS)

1. Irawo wo l’eyi ?

Wo b’ o ti dara to,

Amona awon keferi

S’ odo Oba ogo.

2. Wo awon amoye

Ti ila- orun wa;

Nwon wa fi ori bale fun

Jesu Olubukun.

3. Imole ti Emi,

Ma sai tan n’ ilu wa;

Fi ona han wa k’ a le to,

Emmanueli wa.

4. Gbogbo irun- male,

Ati igba- male,

Ti a mbo n’ ile keferi,

K’ o yago fun Jesu.

5. Ki gbogbo Abore

Ti mbe ni Afrika,

Je amoye li otito,

Kin won gb’ ebo Jesu.

6. Baba Eleda wa,

Ti o fi Jesu han

Awon keferi igbani;

Fi han fun wa pelu. Amin.

8. WO ODAGUTAN TI O TU (BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD)

1.   WO Odagutan ti o ru

     E ru re Ior’igi

     O ku lati da igbekun 

     O t‘eje Re fun o.

2.  W‘Olugbala, tit’ iran na 

     Y‘o fi fa okan re

     Fi omije rin ese Re

     Ma kuro lodo Re.

3.  Wo, titi ife yio fi

     Joba lor’okan re 

     Tit‘agbara Re y’o fi han 

      Lor’ara on emi.

4.  Wo, b’iwo ti nsare ije

     Ore re titi ni

     Y‘o pari ‘se Re t’ O bere

     Or’ofe y’o j’ogo.  Amin

9. Oba Wa Oloore (Our Kind King)

This Yoruba Christmas song/hymn was written by Tolulope Adekola and performed by Rhema Mass Choir (RMC) Ilorin, Kwara State.

Ibi re lo mu igbala wa

Salvation came through your birth

Ati ireti iye eniyan

And the hope of life for man

Gbogbo eda aye o

All creation

E fo fayo, abi igbala

Rejoice, Salvation is born

Ibi re lo mu igbala wa

Salvation came through your birth

Ati ireti iye eniyan

And the hope of life for man

Gbogbo eda aye o

All creation

E fo fayo, abi igbala

Rejoice, Salvation is born

CHORUS:

Oba Wa Oloore (4ce)

Our Kind King

Egberun ahon koto yin O

A thousand tongues cannot praise You

Oba Wa Oloore

Our Kind King

Egberun ahon koto yin O

A thousand tongues cannot praise You

Oba Wa Oloore

Our Kind King

REFRAIN:

Oruko Re iyanu ni

Your name is a miracle

Oruko Re iyanu ni

Your name is a miracle

Alade Alaafia

Prince of Peace

Alade Alaafia

Prince of Peace

To mu wa kuro ninu ide ese

Who delivered us from the bondage of sin

To fun wa ni ireti iye

Who gave us the hope of life

Jowo mu wa ri igbala

Please, let us see salvation

Ka si ri iye ti oti seleri

And obtain the promised life

Jowo mu wa ri igbala

Please, let us see salvation

Ka si ri iye ti oti seleri

And obtain the promised life

Awa nse aferi re

We love Your presence

REPEAT CHORUS

E ba mi gbe Jesu yi ga

Help me lift this Jesus up

E ha e

Yea

10. ODUN NLO SOPIN

Even if some did not know what the song meant when they were much younger, this is a song that was very played all around viewing center, homes, parties, etc during the Christmas season, and guess what! It did not and has still not lost its timelessness. The song “Odun nlo sopin “ was composed by the wonderful and talented Mama Adebola Fasoyin.

Odun nlo s’opin o Baba rere

Baba maa so mi o t’omo t’omo

Ohun ti yoo pamilekun o L’odun titun

Maa jeko sele si mi o Baba rere /2X

Maje n kawo leri sukun

Maje n faso ofo bora

Ogun rojuje rojumu, mama je ko je titemi

Alaafia pipe ni mo fe, fitamilore

Jenrina, jenrilo, Baba wa se milogo

Majentawona majentaraka lodun titun

Dabo Olorun mi dabo /2X

Mama je kan f’ire temi s’apinle Mama je k’oro mi ja sofo lodo Re

Dabo Olorun mi dabo

Odun nlo s’opin o Baba rere

Baba maa so mi o t’omo t’omo

Ohun ti yoo pamilekun o L’odun titun

Maa jeko sele si mi o Baba rere

SOLO:-

Baba Eleru niyin, wa suu’re fun wa

Ani kaa rona gbegba lodun to wole

Baba Eleru niyin, wa su’re fun wa

Ani kaa rona gbegba lodun to wole

Tuwon ninu, Oluwa tuwon ninu

Agan ti ko r’omo gbepon, tuwon ninu Oluwa

Rewonlekun Oluwa rewonlekun

Awon to dabii Hannah, tuwon ninu Oluwa

Odoodun lanr’orogbo, Odoodun lanr’awusa

Kodun ko san wa s’ owo, Kodun ko san s ‘ omo

Kaari batise, Kodun yaabo, Ka rona gbegba

Ani kama toroje, Ani kama toro mu

Kama l’akisa keyin aso, Baba gbo tiwa.

Kama se rogun ejo, Bawa segun aisan

Ogun asedanu, Ogun akoba, wa bawase

Abo re to daju lawa nfe, lodun to wole

Ohun rere to ye wa, Baba Fi se wa logooooo

Ohun ti yoo pawalekun o ninu odun,

Maa jeko sele si wa o Baba rere

Odun nlo s’opin o Baba rere

Baba maa so mi o t’omo t’omo,

Ohun ti yoo pamilekun o L’odun titun

Maa jeko sele si mi o Baba rere

11. ELU AGOGO

“Elu agogo” is a popular Yoruba Christmas song/hymn written by singer and composer Adepeju Dawodu.

E lu agogo

E lu agogo

E lu agogo

Keresimesi

E lu agogo

E lu agogo

E lu agogo

Keresimesi

E lu agogo

E lu agogo

Olugbala de o

E lu agogo

Olugbala de o

E lu agogo

Olugbala wo le wa o o

E lu agogo

Oti de

Oti de

Ye ye ye

E lu agogo

Olugbala ti de o o

E lu agogo

Olugbala ti de o

E lu agogo

E lu agogo

E lu agogo

Mo ni Keresimesi

E lu agogo

E lu agogo

E lu agogo

Mo ni Keresimesi

E lu agogo

E lu agogo

Olugbala de o

E lu agogo

Olugbala de o

E lu agogo

Olu Gba La ti de o

E lu agogo

Emanueli de o

E lu agogo

Jesu kristi de o

E lu agogo

Jehova sama de o

E lu agogo

Jehova nisi de o

E lu agogo

Jehova elohim ni

E lu agogo

Jehova elishadi

E lu agogo

O ti de

O wo le de e e

E lu agogo

O wo le

O wo le

Na na na

E lu agogo

O ti de

O o o o o

E lu agogo

O ti de o

Ye ye ye

E lu agogo

O ti de

Na na na na na

E lu agogo

O ti de

O ti de ba ba ba

E lu agogo

O wo le

O wo le de o o

E lu agogo

O wo le

O wo le de o o

E lu agogo

O wo le

O wo le de o

E lu agogo

12. GBO OHUN

Gbo Ohun 

Awon Angeli tin nkorin 

Won nkorin

Ogo Ogo

Won nkorin eye eye

Gbo ohun

Awon Angeli tin korin Gbo Ohun Awon Angeli tin nkorin

Won nkorin

Ogo Ogo

Won nkorin eye eye

Gbo ohun

Awon Angeli tin korin

13. BETELEHEMU (BETHLEHEM)

Betelehemu was composed by Babatunde Olatunji, he was born in Ajido in the southwestern part of Nigeria.

Awa yo, a ri Baba gb’ojule (We rejoice for we have a trustworthy father)

Awa yo, a ri Baba f’eyin ti (We rejoice for we have? a dependable father)

(repeat)

Ni bo labe Jesu? (Where was Jesus born)

Ni bo labe bisi? (Where was he born?)

(Repeat)

Betelehemu iluwa la, (Bethlehem, city of wonder)

Ni bo labe Baba o daju (That is where Father was born)

Inyi, inyi, furo (Praise, praise, be to Him)

Adupe fun o, jooni, (We thank you, today)

Baba olo reo (Gracious Father)

14. KERESI MESI

This Yoruba Christmas song/hymn is written and composed by legendary singer and musician, Chief Ebenezer Obey

Lyrics

Ninu odun ti mbe laiye

Ti keresi loyato

To t’odun ola rinri

(Instrumentals )

Ninu odun ti mbe laiye

Ti keresi loyato

To t’odun ola rinri

Keresimesi

Odun de

Keresimesi

Odun de

Odun olowo

Odun olomo

Edumare jeka sope oh

Instrumentals

Keresimesi

Odun de

Keresimesi

Odun de

Odun olowo

Odun olomo

Edumare jeka sope oh

Instrumentals

Odun titun to’n bo lona

Baba je oseju emi wa

Odun titun to’n bo lona

Baba je oseju emi wa

Aboyun ile obi tibi tire

Aboyun ile obi tibi tire

Eni to sowo

Oma rere oja

Eni ba gbomo dani

Kaisan ma pa won

Baba je osoju emi wa

Instrumentals

Wa eyin olooto

Layo at’isegun

Wa kalo wa kalo si Bethlehem

Wa kalo wo o

Oba awon angeli

Kowa kalo juba re 2x

Ewa kalo juba

Si oluwa

instrumentals

Odun titun to’n bo lona

Baba je oseju emi wa

Odun titun to’n bo lona

Baba je oseju emi wa

Aboyun ile obi tibi tire

Eni to sowo

Oma rere oja

Eni ba gbomo dani

Kaisan ma pa won

Baba je osoju emi wa

Odun odun yi a yabo

Odun yi a miri gidi

Feregede la o ye o

Odun odun yi a yabo

Odun yi a miri gidi

Feregede la o ye

December ton bo lona

Koni diwa meru lo

Odun odun yi a yabo

Odun yi a miri gidi

Feregede la o ye o

December ton bo lona

Koni diwa meru lo

Odun odun yi a yabo

Odun yi a miri gidi

Feregede la o ye o

Instrumentals

Irinse lo jona

Obey o jona

Ebami sope foluwa ogo

Irinse lo jona

Obey o jona

Ebawa sope foluwa ogo

Arinrin ajo alo si London

Alo dawon laraya

Arinrin ajo alo si London

Alo dawon laraya

London lagba de torinu

Ni ilu Italy

Kalo dawon laraya

Lati ilu Italy

Apada si London

Atun dawon laraya

Lati ilu Italy

Apada si London

Atun dawon laraya

Okujo meta ka pada wale

Okujo meta ka pada wale

Ni isele yi sele

Ina jo wa ni irin se

Owe awon agbalagba

Nipe oun tama seniyan

Ti o ba se ko nigbo

Amo adupe foluwa

Bawo ni mba tise

To ba se omolomo to lo jona mole

Eka halleluyah feledumare

Mo da mu su foba mimo

Opelope oyinbo nile keji

Opelope oyinbo nile keji

To kingbe fa fa fire fire

Ki pana pana to de

Muti kekere oku ewu 2x

Ewu ina ki pawodi

Muti kekere oku ewu

Muti kekere gbiyanju

Osebi okunrin

Sugbon e pa ogoro mo

Lati omo ogunlade

Osebi okunrin

Sugbon e pa ogoro mo

Alagba pass koragama

Osebi okunrin

Sugbon e pa ogoro mo

Michele adio

Osebi okunrin

Sugbon e pa ogoro mo

Ilori Lawrence ayodele

Osebi okunrin

Sugbon e pa ogoro mo

Gabriel Adedeji

Osebi okunrin

Sugbon e pa ogoro mo

Olohun iyo ke a minu

Osebi okunrin

Sugbon e pa ogoro mo

Osebi okunrin

Sugbon e pa ogoro mo

Mathew baba legba

Osebi okunrin

Sugbon e pa ogoro mo

Opelope oyinbo nile keji

To kingbe fa fa fire fire

Ki pana pana to de

A dupe lowo gbogbo eyin eniyan

Eni to soju to seyin

Peleni to ko leta ranse

Ati gbogbo ero ni ilu oba

Orioke ile la wa

Irinse wa ni sale

A o tete mo pe ile jo

Opelope oyinbo nile keji

To kingbe fa fa fire fire

Ki pana pana to de

Asese bere ere sise ni

Ile oba to jo

Ewa lo bu si

Asese bere ere sise ni

Ile oba to jo

Ewa lo bu si

Asese bere ere sise 2x

Ile oba to jo

Ewa lo bu si

Asese bere ere sise 2x

(outro)

Most of us, especially if we are from the southwestern parts of Nigeria, grew up listening to these lovely Yoruba Christmas songs, hymns and carols. We really hope that they light up your Christmas as you sing and listen to them.