Baba Yetu, yetu uliye
Mbinguni yetu, yetu amina
Baba Yetu, yetu uliye ku
Jina lako eh litukuzwe
Utupe leo chakula chetu tunachohitaji
Utusamehe makosa yetu, hey
Kama nasi tunavyowasamehe waliotukosea
Usitutie katika majaribu
Lakini utuokoe na yule mwovu milele na milele
Baba Yetu, yetu uliye
Mbinguni yetu, yetu amina
Baba Yetu, yetu uliye ku
Jina lako eh litukuzwe
ufalme wako ufike
utakalo lifanyike
Lifanyike duniani kama mbinguni Amina
Baba Yetu, yetu uliye
Mbinguni yetu, yetu amina
Baba Yetu, yetu uliye ku
Jina lako eh litukuzwe
Utupe leo chakula chetu tunachohitaji
Utusamehe makosa yetu, hey
Kama nasi tunavyowasamehe waliotukosea
Usitutie katika majaribu
Lakini utuokoe na yule ibilisi mwovu milele
Baba Yetu, yetu uliye
Mbinguni yetu, yetu amina
Baba Yetu, yetu uliye ku
Jina lako eh litukuzwe
Baba Yetu (Our Father)
Song Meaning
Sung entirely in Swahili, "Baba Yetu" is the Lord's Prayer set line by line. The title means "Our Father," and the opening phrases, "Baba Yetu, yetu uliye mbinguni" and "Jina lako litukuzwe," render "who art in heaven" and "hallowed be Your name" from Matthew 6:9.
The verse in the middle follows the prayer's requests in order. "Utupe leo chakula chetu tunachohitaji" asks for today's food, "utusamehe makosa yetu" asks forgiveness, and the next line, "kama nasi tunavyowasamehe waliotukosea," ties it to forgiving those who have wronged us. "Usitutie katika majaribu" is the petition not to be led into temptation, all matching Matthew 6:11-13.
A shorter passage in the middle gives the kingdom petition, "ufalme wako ufike, utakalo lifanyike duniani kama mbinguni," or "Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as in heaven." The verses return, and the refrain closes with "amina." The final run ends the deliverance line on "yule mwovu milele," deliverance from the evil one.