Ise Logun ise (Work is the antidote for poverty)

[Alade]

As we are getting ready for the start of a new week, I will like to share a popular Yoruba poem— Ise Logun ise, to serve as a motivation to everyone.

The poem was composed in 1943 by Chief Joseph Folahan Odunjo, the author of Iwe Alawiye (a Yoruba textbook commonly used in schools around Southwest Nigeria).

Ise logun ise meaning work is the antidote for poverty, is a Yoruba poem that emphasizes on the importance of "hardwork". Without working at all, poverty is guaranteed. But with hardwork, success is assured.

As we are heading into the new week, may the work of our hands be fruitful to us.

Below is the ise logun ise poem by Chief J.F Odunjo.

Ise Logun ise (Work is the antidote for poverty)
Mura si se re, ore mi (Put more effort in your work, dear friend)
Ise la fi ndeni giga (Hardwork is the key to success)
Bi a ko ba reni fehin ti (When there is no one to rely on)
Bi ole la ri (Making progress in life becomes challenging)
Bi a ko ba reni gbekele, (When there is put our trust on)
A te ra mo se ni. (That's when we should put more effort into our work)
Iya re le lowo lowoh (Your mother might be rich)
Baba re le lesin lekan (Your father might own a thousand and one horses)
Ti o ba gbojule won (If you rely on them)
O te tan ni mo so fun o (In truth, you might be on sinking ground)

Apa lara igupa ni ye kan (Your arms are like your family, while your elbows are like your extended family)
B’aiye ba fe o loni (If you are loved by the world today)
Ti o ba lowo lowo, won a tun fe o lola (If you are wealthy, you will be loved tomorrow as well)
Abi ko wa nipo atata (If you have an honourable position)
Aiye a ye o si terin terin (The world will respect you with much happiness)
Je ki o deni ti ra ngo (Should you loose your money or position)
Ko ri bi won ti nyin mu si o (They will turn around to mock you)

Iya mbe fomo ti ko gbon (There is suffering for a foolish child)
Ekun mbe fomo ti nsare kiri (There is sorrow for the child without a vision or plan)
Mafowuro sere ore mi (Do not waste your early youthful years, my friend)
Mura sise ojo nlo. (Put more efforts into (your) work now, time is going by)

– J.F Odunjo

 

[Lege]

My Yoruba teacher in JS2 makes us recite this poem every time during his class. The poem is a reminder about how important it is to work.