Lyrics
Immortal, invisible, God only wise
Describing God as immortal, invisible, and the only wise.
In light inaccessible, hid from our eyes
God is in light inaccessible, hidden from human eyes.
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days
God is most blessed, most glorious, and the Ancient of Days.
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.
Referring to God as Almighty, victorious, and praising His great name.
Chorus:
Repetition of "Obaloluwa" in the chorus, emphasizing the divine title.
Obaloluwa
-Obaloluwa
-Obaloluwa
-Obaloluwa
-Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light
Describing God as unresting, unhasting, and silent as light.
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might
God rules in might, without lacking or wasting.
Thy justice, like mountains, high soaring above
God's justice is compared to mountains, high and soaring above.
Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love
Metaphorically describing God's justice as clouds, fountains of goodness and love.
Chorus:
Repetition of "Obaloluwa" in the chorus, continuing to emphasize the divine title.
Obaloluwa
-Obaloluwa
-Obaloluwa
-Obaloluwa
-To all, life Thou givest, to both great and small;
Acknowledging God as the giver of life to both great and small.
In all life Thou livest, the true life of all;
Emphasizing that God is the true life of all, regardless of the changes in life.
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
Metaphorically comparing human life to leaves on a tree, blossoming and perishing.
And wither and perish—but naught changeth Thee.
Stating that despite human changes, God remains unchanged.
Chorus:
Repetition of "Obaloluwa" in the chorus, expressing reverence and acknowledgment of God.
Obaloluwa
-(Oba ni o)
-Obaloluwa
-(Oba ni, Oba ni)
-Obaloluwa
-(Oba o)
-Obaloluwa
-Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
Describing God as the Great Father of glory and light, with angels veiling their sight in adoration.
Father of light
-Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight
-Veiling their sight
-All praise we would render oh help us to see
-Ooooooooooooooo
-’Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee.
-Chorus:
Repetition of "Obaloluwa" in the chorus, expressing praise and recognizing God's kingship.
Obaloluwa
-(Oba ni o)
-Obaloluwa
-(Oba awon oba)
-Obaloluwa
-(Oluwa awon oluwa e)
-Obaloluwa
-Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
Reiteration of the attributes of God from the earlier lines.
In light inaccessible, hid from our eyes,
-Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
-Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.
-Obaloluwa, (Oba ni)
Final repetition of "Obaloluwa," emphasizing and closing the song with the divine title.
Obaloluwa, (Oba ni ooooo)
-Obaloluwa, (oo)
-Obaloluwa
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