Antawere, antawere, antawere, antawerea Antawere, antawere, antawere, antaa Nikiona sukuma wiki tena I swear nitahurt somebody (If I see 'Sukuma Wiki' again I swear I'll hurt somebody) Imekuwa miezi sita, saba tangu nimeonja nyama (It's been 6/7 months since I lasted tasted meat) Na unga yangu, eeh! karibu kwisha, sembe imekuwa maji (And I'm almost out of flour, my 'Ugali' has a watery consistency) Pengine nikiongeza hiyo mala dishi itapata ladha (Maybe if I add some 'Mala' my food will gain some flavour) Lakini ere sukari? (But where is the sugar?) Ere sukari? (Where is the sugar?) N'nasema sitaki sukuma wiki tena, waiter! ebu mia dek (I said I don't want 'Sukuma Wiki' again, waiter! please serve me a 'Dek') Kinyalo mia osuga fresh from Bumala mond amuod gi nyoyo (If you can, please give me 'Osuga' fresh from Bumala so I can have it with some 'Nyoyo') Lakini pimna matin achamo kenda to okan gi pesa mangeny (But give me a small portion, I don't have a lot of money) Heh! nimepoteza, sina do (Heh! I've lost it, I'm out of cash) Atim nade? (What shall I do?) Ibiro timo nade? (What shall you do?) Antawere, antawere, antawere, antawerea Ninasukuma wiki na sukuma wiki (I'm pushing through the week on 'Sukuma Wiki') Antawere, antawere, antawere, antaa Ninasukuma wiki na sukuma wiki (I'm pushing through the week on 'Sukuma Wiki') Siwezi hata sukuma wiki tena, njaro: mkate na daso (Now I don't even have access to 'Sukuma Wiki', the plan: bread and soda) Nishapeleka down lita mbili, maji nemjaza pachu (I've already finished two litres, and I have now filled the bottle with water) Sikudhani ningekosa riziki kubaki na matatizo (I never thought that I would be lacking, left with all these problems) Kazunguka katomeni but tizi hanaku (I have searched around but there's no work) Kweli ni msoto (This is truly poverty) Antawere, antawere, antawere, antawerea Ninasukuma wiki na sukuma wiki (I'm pushing through the week on 'Sukuma Wiki') Antawere, antawere, antawere, antaa Ninasukuma wiki na sukuma wiki (I'm pushing through the week on 'Sukuma Wiki') Ninasukuma (I'm pushing) VOCABULARY 'Sukuma Wiki' - Colored Greens, Kales 'Sembe' 'Ugali' - Maize flour (cornmeal) cooked with water to a think consistency 'Mala' - Buttermilk often sweetened with sugar 'Dek' - Spider Weed 'Osuga' - African Nightshade, Managu 'Nyoyo' - Maize and Beans 'Bumala' - A settlement in Western Kenya known for African Nightshade

Ai suru My knees are shaking, palms are sweaty, n‘nahemahema (I'm panting) Stomach is churning, heart is burning, wondering what I had to eat lately I’ve been feeling weak, can hardly walk Don’t got no appetite at all Can’t keep nothing down, I’m losing sleep Got me turning inside out Spinning head, can’t hold my ground What could be wrong? I think I’ve found This happens every single time you come around It’s like you’re malaria Ai suru I swear I’m not myself lately, it’s like I’m caught in delirium And there’s just no use trying to fight it, to your will I have succumb I’ve been feeling weak, can hardly think You’ve got me swooning helplessly Built up restless febrility I need a little room to breathe Spinning head, can’t hold my ground Please tell me how on earth you found A way to do this every time you come around Malaria Ai suru He’s like malaria to me

Smoke in my eyes and I could not see Light me up, 'kawakisha moto (you sparked a fire) Moshi machoni 'kaniacha chongo (smoke in my eyes left me seeing out of one eye) I'm out of my mind 'kachambua bongo (you scrambled my brain) Siwezi tambua ukweli ama ndoto (I can't tell reality from fiction) Ninaugua moyoni (my heart is ill) Yaani hadi siamini (to the point that I can't believe) Jinsi ninavyokutamani (just how much I yearn for you) How could I fall in love with you so deeply? Hata sio siri (it's not even a secret) Umenitamalaki (you've got a hold of me) Umenikanganya akili (you've confused my mind) Na hata wakisema mi sijali (And even if they talk about it, I don't care) My heart is on fire Burning with desire You're taking me higher I've never been so inspired My heart is on fire You're taking me higher I've never been so inspired I think I'm about to flame out Fire Smoke in my eyes and I could not see Light me up, fire's out of control You caused my heart to overheat until stalled Or maybe it just skipped a beat, I don't know But I'm like a fireball that's waiting to explode Ninaugua moyoni (my heart is ill) Yaani hadi siamini (to the point that I can't believe) Jinsi ninavyokutamani (just how much I yearn for you) How could I fall in love with you so deeply? Hata sio siri (it's not even a secret) Umenitamalaki (you've got a hold of me) Umenikanganya akili (you've confused my mind) Na hata wakisema mi sijali (And even if they talk about it, I don't care) My heart is on fire Burning with desire You're taking me higher I've never been so inspired My heart is on fire You're taking me higher I've never been so inspired I think I'm about to flame out Fire Smoke in my eyes and I could not see You reached down to my soul Gripped it tight won't let go You ripped my heart out And now you've got my heart doing backflips in your palms Feels so hot in your hands can't keep it calm Call the fire station ring the alarm Better pray they get here before we burn My heart is on fire Burning with desire You're taking me higher I've never been so inspired My heart is on fire You're taking me higher I've never been so inspired I think I'm about to flame out Fire Smoke in my eyes and I could not see

You ripped my heart out, oh Stone cold solid, unbreakable Heart locked, guarded, impenetrable I was reigning queen till you claimed my throne King of hearts, you held me under siege Cracked open my chest and looted everything My heart’s exposed and it’s barely beating You ripped my heart out, oh Broke down every wall of this fortress Held my love hostage Collector of hearts, now you discard mine Cut all of your ties, crossed over the bridge, and set it alight But you’re gonna miss me babe You're gonna miss me babe You're gonna miss me babe You're gonna miss me You ripped my heart out, oh

Dhahabu (Gold) Kuikinga ni taabu (Guarding it brings trouble) Umri wa kumi na tatu (Thirteen years old) All she wants it to explore her youth Excited by the buzz that age brings Daddy did the best that he could do Kulea msichana ni kazi ngumu (Raising a girl is hard work) Especially when there’s no mother with But she wasn’t satisfied with the ground that she stood So she thought that she would try on someone else’s shoes Walking ‘round like a grown woman With a grown man Situation out of hand Na sasa amevunja moyo wa baba (Now she has broken her father's heart) Msichana ameambukizwa (The girl has been infected) Tena na mimba (And with child) Dhahabu (Gold) Kuikinga ni taabu (Guarding it brings trouble) Mume ana jicho la nje (Husband has a wondering eye) Likes to spend time with other women Says he’s lost the spark with wife at home Mke a’jaribu chochote (Wife tries anything) Holds the vow that only death should part them And she doesn’t wanna let him go But he wasn’t satisfied with the ground that he stood So he thought that he would try on another woman’s shoes Na sasa ameanza kukonda (Now he has started losing weight) Mwilini vidonda (Body riddled with wounds) Damu anakohoa (Coughing blood) Na amevunja moyo wa mwana (And he has broken his child's heart) ‘Kamowona mama akifa (Watching mother dying) ‘Kamwacha yatima (Left orphaned) Dhahabu (Gold) Kuikinga ni taabu (Guarding it brings trouble) Be satisfied with the ground that you stand Because the grass is green right where you are The neighbours lawn isn’t always better No need to covet his treasure Just guard your gold kwa sababu kiuikinga ni taabu Dhahabu (Gold) Kuikinga ni taabu (Guarding it brings trouble)

I just wanna hop on a bus and get on outta here Way back, yeah Niwie radhi lakini sielewi tulivyofika hapa (Pardon me, but I don't understand how we got here) Nikagutuka kugundua kwamba mkono umeacha (I was startled to discover that you had left my hand) Na ni mimi niliyekupenda tangu siku za M.O.1. (It's me who love you since the days of Moi) Na sasa hata heshima huna, ‘nasikia rumour eti nyumbani huna raha (And now you don't even respect me enough to tell me that you're unhappy at home) Jameni nieleze (Please explain) Why am I always the last to know, exactly how you’re feeling I try but I just can’t get your mental, I can’t read your mind All I seem to get is mixed signals, don’t know if I should stay or leave Why do you keep steering me wrong? Why do you keep leading me on? I just wanna hop on a bus and get on outta here Way back Take me to the place where you used to care Where you used to give a damn about me I just wanna hop on a bus and get on outta here Way back, yeah Na sasa n'nakimbizana na mabasi, eti nikikutafuta (Now I'm playing tag with buses, looking for you) ‘Kaniacha na maswali mengi, nimebaki nikichanganyikiwa (You left me with so many questions, I'm here confused) Na ni mimi niliyekupenda tangu siku za M.O.1. (It's me who loved you since the days of Moi) Na sasa wanisaliti, 'kamtuma yule mgeni kwangu eti kunipa talaka (But now you betray me, sending that guest to serve me papers) Jameni, mbona wanitenda hivi? (why do me like that?) Why am I always the last to know, exactly how you’re feeling All you’re giving me is mixed signals, I still can’t read your mind We’re living in constant collision, and I don’t wanna fight no more This drama’s making me emotional, and I’m tired of chasing buses I just wanna hop on a bus and get on outta here Way back Take me to the place where you used to care Where you used to give a damn about me I just wanna hop on a bus and get on outta here Way back, yeah I just wanna hop on a bus and get on outta here Take me to the place where you used to care Hop on a bus and get on outta here. I just wanna hop on a bus and get on outta here Way back yeah

Arito mond igona simu (I'm waiting for you to call me) Nilidhani tu sawasawa (I thought we were fine) Hadi 'kaanza kunilenga (Until you started ignoring me) Simu sijawacha kushikilia (I have not stopped staring at my phone) Nikingoja upige kama ulivyosema (Waiting for you to call me like you said) Arito mond igona simu (I'm waiting for you to call me) Yawa it’s been twelve days pok aneni (It's been 12 days since I last saw you) Atemo gochoni but hupokei (I try calling you but you don't answer) Je, ulipoteza nambari? (Did you lose my number?) Kose, ni ilalo simbi? (Or did you lose your phone?) Arito mond igona simu (I'm waiting for you to call me) Kiyudo thagruok dwaro goi piny (When troubles weigh you down) Gochna (Call me) To kidwaro wawinj weche gi (If you need a listening ear) Gochna (Call me) To kata mana chunyi tamo ling’ (And even if there's no quiet in your heart) Gochna (Call me) Bed mos nikech agnabed kodi (Be still because I am with you) Gochna, gochna (Call me) Kiyudo thagruok dwaro goi piny (When troubles weigh you down) Gochna (Call me) To kidwaro wawinj weche gi (If you need a listening ear) Gochna (Call me) To kata mana chunyi tamo ling’ (And even if there's no quiet in your heart) Gochna (Call me) Tokidwar mana tugo koda (But if you only want to play games with me) Kikigochna (Don't call me) Dhi kucha (Get out of here) Niliona ajali jana (I saw an accident yesterday) Made me wonder ka pod in ngima (Made me wonder if you're still alive) Mola naomba ye u zima (Dear God, I hope that you're ok) Jameni shika simu, please piga (Please pick up the phone and call) Arito mond igona simu (I'm waiting for you to call me)

Before you, I lived reckless Threw caution to the wind I dealt with love from a distance Because caring so much only got me hurt But little did I know that this same wind would blow you to me The whispers of this wind accompany you as you serenade me With your love, with the music of your heart You make me say oh I’m so speechless In your arms I feel secure Don’t wanna be some place else I’d never had a feeling quite as pure (and I know that) Such perfection only God could create The artistry of your soul is so amazing Your poetry is so captivating You've got what I need When I need it You make me say oh I’m so speechless You've got what I need I need you You make me say oh You make me say oh I don’t what else to say but oh You’ve got me so tongue-tied all I’ve got is oh You make me say oh I’m so speechless

Mola ndiye muamuzi, kumlaumu mi siwezi (God is judge, I shall not question Him) Kuomba sikupata (To ask is not to receive) Mungu akipenda atakupa (God shall grant as He pleases) Lakini kupata kwanza omba (But to receive you must first ask) Na Mungu akipenda atakupa (And if God wills, He shall grant)