Iṣẹ́ l’ògún ìṣẹ́
Iṣẹ́ l’ògún ìṣẹ́
Múra s’íṣẹ́ ọ̀rẹ́ mi
Iṣẹ́ la fi ń’dẹni gíga
Bí a kò bá rẹ́ni fẹ̀yìn tì
Bí ọ̀lẹ là’nrí
Bí a kò bá rẹ́ni gbẹ́kẹ̀lé
À tẹra mọ́’ṣẹ́ ẹni
Ìyá re lè lówó lọ́wọ́
Bàbá re lè lẹ̀ṣin lẹ́kàn
Bí o bá gbó’jú léwọn
O tẹ̀ tán ni mo sọ fún ọ
Ohun tí a kọ́ bá jì'yà fún
Ṣé kìí le pẹ́ lọ́wọ́
Ohun tí a bá fara ṣiṣẹ́ fún
Nií pẹ́ lọ́wọ́ ẹni
Apá lara
Egunpa niyekan
B’áyé bá ń’fẹ́ ọ lòní
Bí o bá lówó lọ́wọ́
Ayé á máa fẹ́ ọ lọ̀la
Tàbí kí o wà ní'pò àtàtà
Ayé á máa yẹ́ ọ sí tẹ̀ríntẹ̀rín
Jẹk’o de’ni tíń'rágọ́
Ayé á máa yínmú sí ọ
Ẹ̀kọ́ sí’ńsọ ẹni d’ọ̀gá
Múra kì o ko dáradára
Bí o sì r’ọ́pọ̀ ènìyàn
Tí wón f’ẹ̀kọ́ ṣ’ẹ̀rín rínrín
Dákun má f’ara wé wọn
Ìyà n’bọ̀ f’ọ́mọ tí kò gbọ́n
Ẹkún n’bẹ fún ọmọ tó ńsá kiri
Má f’òwúrọ̀ ṣeré ọ̀rẹ́ mi
Múra sí’ṣẹ́ ọjọ́’nlọ
English Translation
Work is the antidote for poverty
Work hard my friend
Work/labour is the major tool for elevation
If we do not have anyone to lean on
We appear indolent
If we do not have anyone to support us
We simply work harder
Your mother might be rich
Your father may have a stable full of horses
If you rely on them
You are close to shame and disgrace, I tell you
Whatever one does not work hard to earn
Usually does not last
Whatever gain one seriously labours for
Usually lasts with one
Your arm is kin
The elbow is a sibling
If the world loves you today
If you have money
The world will still love you tomorrow
Or if you are in a prestigious position
The world will celebrate you with smiles
Wait till you become poor
The world will grimace at you
Education also elevates one to higher positions
Ensure that you acquire it well
And if you see a lot of people
Making mockery of education with laughter
Please do not emulate or keep their company
Suffering beckons for the unwise child
Tears are due for the truant child
Do not toy with your early years
Work hard; time waits for no one