Yoruba Hymn: Bi Awọn Oluṣ’agutan – While Shepherds Watched

Bible Reference:

Luke 2:11 KJV – For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Luku 2:11 YCB – Nítorí a ti bí Olùgbàlà fún yín lónìí ní ìlú Dafidi, tí í ṣe Kristi Olúwa.

Ẹsẹ 1
Bi awọn oluṣ’ agutan,
Ti nṣ’ agbo wọn loru;
Angẹl’ Oluwa sọkalẹ,
Ògo ràn yi wọn ka.

Ẹsẹ 2
Ẹru bà wọn pupọ, ṣugbọn
O ni Ẹ má bẹrù,
Ihin ayọ ni mo mu wa
Fun nyin at’ araye.

Ẹsẹ 3
Fun nyin, n’ ilu Dafid’, loni
N’ idile Dafidi
A bi Olugbala ti ṣe
Kristi, Oluwa wa;

Ẹsẹ 4
Eyi ni y’ o j’ ami; Ẹnyin
O ri Ọm’ ọwọ na
A fi ọja we, a si tẹ
Si ibujẹ ẹran.

Ẹsẹ 5
Bi Angẹl’ na ti sọrọ tan,
Ọpọ awọn Angẹl’
Fò de, nwọn si yin Ọlọrun,
Nwọn nkọrin ayọ pe;

Ẹsẹ 6
Ògo ni f’ Ọlọrun loke,
Alafia l’ aye;
K’ ifẹ, ‘nu rere s’ eniyan
Bẹrẹ laini opin!

ENGLISH

Verse 1
While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around.

Verse 2
Fear not! said he; for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind:
Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind.

Verse 3
To you, in David’s town town this day
Is born of David’s line,
A Saviour, who is Christ the Lord;
And this shall be the sign:

Verse 4
The heavenly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swaddling bands
And in a manger laid.

Verse 5
Thus spoke the seraph; and forth-with
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels praising God, and thus
Addressed their joyful song:

Verse 6
All glory be to God on high,
And on the earth be peace;
Good will hence forth from heaven to men
Begin and never cease.

Yoruba Hymn: Gbọ ẹda ọrun nkọrin – HARK! the herald-angels sing