Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a stark picture of a nation in distress, where the recurring refrain, "Our people dey die, Our children dey cry, Our leaders dey lie," serves as a direct indictment of systemic failure. This opening immediately establishes a tone of urgent despair, highlighting a cycle of suffering and deception that the song aims to break. The repeated calls to "Government wake up," "Baba God, help us," and "Naija stand up" underscore a desperate plea for intervention from all possible sources – earthly authorities, divine grace, and the collective will of the people themselves. The core message is clear: the current state of affairs is unacceptable and demands immediate, fundamental change. The central tension in the song arises from the stark contrast between the suffering of the populace and the perceived inaction or corruption of their leaders. Phrases like "New year, same story, New regime, no glory" and "More promises, more lies" reveal a deep-seated disillusionment with political cycles that fail to deliver progress. The lyrics articulate a feeling of being trapped, moving "from frying pan to fire," suggesting that despite the passage of time and changes in leadership, the fundamental problems persist. This creates a palpable sense of frustration and a yearning for genuine transformation rather than superficial adjustments. A powerful element of the song's craft is its direct, almost conversational address and the insistent repetition of calls to action. The verses systematically list grievances – "no light to bad roads," "armed robbers to Boko Haram" – grounding the abstract plea for change in concrete realities. The recurring directive, "We must vote, that na the way, Peaceful protest as we pray, Till Naija begins to change," acts as a mantra, offering a clear, albeit challenging, path forward. This structure reinforces the idea that agency lies with the people, urging them to unite and actively participate in their nation's future. The effectiveness of these lyrics stems from their unvarnished honesty and their grounding in shared experience. By articulating the pain and frustration so directly, the song resonates with a sense of collective grievance. The blend of lament and resolute calls for action creates a powerful emotional arc, moving from despair to a determined hope. The repeated emphasis on unity – "We must rise and take a stand," "We must heal our fatherland," "all part of one Nigeria" – suggests that overcoming the current crisis requires a unified national effort, making the plea for change feel both personal and profoundly communal.

Empire Mates Entertainment. - Pop, Nigeria

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[Intro: Banky W] Eh Eh Eh EMEzay Naija, Naija Eh, It's time to make a change [Chorus: Banky W] Our people dey die (Government wake up) Our children dey cry (Baba God, help us) Our leaders dey lie (Naija stand up) 'Cause it's time to make a change Our people dey die (Government wake up) Our children dey cry (Baba God, help us) Our leaders dey lie (Naija stand up) 'Cause it's time to make a change (Time to make a change) [Verse 1: Banky W] Nеw year, same story New rеgime, no glory More promises, more lies Naija, we no try From no light to bad roads From armed robbers to Boko Haram Instead of going higher We go from frying pan to fire We must rise and take a stand We must heal our fatherland We need peace and unity It's up to you and me We must vote, that na the way Peaceful protest as we pray Till they do just what we say Till Naija begins to change [Chorus: Banky W] Our people dey die (Government wake up) Our children dey cry (Baba God, help us) Our leaders dey lie (Naija stand up) 'Cause it's time to make a change Our people dey die (Government wake up) Our children dey cry (Baba God, help us) Our leaders dey lie (Naija stand up) 'Cause it's time to make a change (Time to make a change) [Verse 2: Skales] Wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder The things we facing makes me wonder How I still make it through How we still make it through Ayy, it's the same thing since I was a kid They be getting all the honours for the things they never did They never think of the future, all they think about is greed No plan for us to succeed Arise, o compatriots Nigerians who are called to obey Made to suffer in shame We must vote, that na the way Peaceful protest as we pray Till they do just what they say Till Naija begins to change [Chorus: Banky W] Our people dey die (Government wake up) Our children dey cry (Baba God, help us) Our leaders dey lie (Naija stand up) 'Cause it's time to make a change Our people dey die (Government wake up) Our children dey cry (Baba God, help us) Our leaders dey lie (Naija stand up; oh-oh) 'Cause it's time to make a change (Time to make a change) [Verse 3: Wizkid] When I see my people dey die Na this kind thing dey make me sad o Small pikin dem dey cry Them no fit chop this life too hard o Bad man try to revive All my people, we must unite Stand together and fight for your rights We will soar unto greater heights Shebi na love, peace and unity Be the only criteria No matter where you from We are all part of one Nigeria We must vote, that na the way Peaceful protest as we pray Till they do just what they say Till Naija begins to change [Chorus: Banky W] Our people dey die (Government wake up) Our children dey cry (Baba God, help us) Our leaders dey lie (Naija stand up) 'Cause it's time to make a change Our people dey die (Government wake up) Our children dey cry (Baba God, help us) Our leaders dey lie (Naija stand up; oh-oh) 'Cause it's time to make a change (Time to make a change) [Verse 4: Shaydee] Say my people try to dey corporate With your fellow brother, make you tolerate Join hands together, make we elevate 'Cause the time for change don come Say my people try to dey corporate With your fellow brother, make you tolerate Join hands together, make we elevate 'Cause the time for change don come [Outro: Niyola] Oh-ooh-oh-oh-oh It is time We must vote, that na the way Peaceful protest as we pray Till they do just what they say Till Naija begins to change We must vote, that na the way Peaceful protest as we pray Till they do just what they say Till Naija begins to change

Credits

Writers: Banky W.
Skales
Niyola
Wizkid
Shaydee

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