Chant to Oshun – Traditional Yoruba chant
Taught to me by Alba Lirio
Recorded with permission
In devotion to the Yoruba Goddess of the fresh waters, an expression of sweetness, sensuality, femininity, beauty, love, and overflowing joy. A favorite in our Sisters in Harmony circles.
Lyrics:
Ay ye ye, ay ye ye Ma Mai Oshun x2
Ay ye ye Ma Mai Oshun, Ay ye ye Oshun mare x2
This song is in the public domain
A traditional Yoruba chant to the Goddess of the sea, the Mother of all, often portrayed as a mermaid. I like to invite my singers to call out the qualities of the ocean before we sing it, then invite them feel the flow of the water in their bodies as they move and sing. It is also meant to observe the qualities of female and male that merge and melt within us.
This chant can be sung in a round.
Possible Translation:
Goddess of the sea
Female and male merge or melt. (They are one.)
A traditional chant in the public domain.
Lyrics:
Yemaya oh, ako, ako yo yemaya
Yemaya oh, ako, ako yo yemaya
In the Yoruba traditions, Nana is the Great Grandmother of all the Orishas, the Grandmother of our sacred waters, and the Mother of the Universe. This wise and revered Orisha embodies the spirit of the earth, the moon, the rain, mud, swamps and fresh spring waters. She is the energy of transformative healing powers. She watches over the women and is the protector of everything female. It is said that she has very little patience for men and surrounds herself mainly with priestesses. Women find comfort in her knowledge and strength. They flock to her for guidance and spiritual healing.
For many years I chanted chants to Nana with my teacher Alba Lirio. One day when I was driving through the hills of Marin, tending to my broken heart, an original melody flowed through me with lyrics to Nana. I clearly needed the healing energy she brings, and have been forever grateful for the gift of this chant. The women in my circles adore it as well.
Lyrics:
Part 1: (the round)
Eh na na Eh na na Eh na na, Eh na na Eh na na Eh
Part 2: (the hight part)
Eh di na na eh wa
Eh wa eh wa
Eh wa eh wa eh
Part 3: (the low part)
Eh di na na eh wa
Eh wa eh wa
Eh wa eh wa
This beautiful chant from Nigeria is sung in the Yoruba language. A favorite to sing with my shruti box layering in harmonies as we go.
Arrangement by Heather Houston
This song is in the public domain.
Meaning:
God’s good work will never be destroyed. I like to think of it as the Creator’s beautiful work lives on for eternity.
Lyrics:
Ise oluwa
Kole baje oh
Ise oluwa
Kole baje oh
Kole baje oh
Kole baje oh
Ise oluwa
Kole baje oh
