“Roots and Branches” - Music - University of California, Irvine

Translations
1. Eriri Ngeringe/ A Riddle
Let it be, let it be
Let it be the thin thread
That lengthened the snake’s tail
The thin thread
That caused the bird to balance (in the air)
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, the thin thread
Let it be, let it be
Let be the flight:
Listen to the cry,
The cry of a bird
Poor little bird
Has red eyes
Let’s help it out
Ah! Thank God
Oh….
Let’s help it out
Ah! Thank God!
2. Ite Etipiaetipai/ The Unbreakable Pot
I went to mother’s home in Aro, mm
I went to father’s home in Aro, mm
I went to granny’s home in Aro, mm
Mother left me at Aro, mm
Father left me at Aro, mm
Granny brought me to Aro, mm
She bought me an unbreakable pot, mm
To fetch water for mother, mm
I let my hands swing, mm
I let my neck dangle, mm
“Cos it is an unbreakable pot, mm
Loo! My friend Nweze has broken it,
Why did she breakit? Mm
She broke it coz I am carry my little one,
MM
3. Uyasroma/ A Love Story
What is my lovely mother’s name, m m Uyaroma
Here is my lovely mother’s name, m m Uyaroma
She cooks in the great pot
She remembers every guest
Mm Uyaroma
What is my lovely father’s name, mm Uyaroma
Here is my lovelyfather’s name, mm Uyaroma
He is a great cultivator of yams
He concentrates on increain his yambarns
Mm Uyaroma
What is my loving husband’s name, mm Uyaroma
Here is my loving husband’s name, mm Uyaroma
With eagle feathers he beats me not
Mm Uyaroma
4. Ive Omaka/ All Good Things Will Last
All good things, all good things Ewo
All good things will last
5. Tuzu/ Inhospitality
Brother, do not thank Tuzu
When we visited Alakuba’s town
We did not eat, we did not sleep
We laid on an earthmound
Please, do not thank Tuzu.
Do not rebuke young Dolina
It was not her mother’s fault
It was not her father’s faul;
Can the story be explained when it gets home?
Tuluzu
Let me be your enemy:
If I stole your yams, let me be your enemy
Today will be the day, let me be your enemy;
If I killed your husband, let me be your enemy
Tomorrow will be the day;let me be your enemy.