Soke – English Lyrics

• By: Burna Boy

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a vibrant linguistic journey with Burna Boy's "Soke"! This captivating Afro-fusion track, rich in Nigerian Pidgin and Yoruba, offers a dynamic way to immerse yourself in the nuances of the language. Through its energetic beats and poignant lyrics about resilience and celebration, you'll gain insight into cultural expressions and everyday struggles. "Soke" is not just a song; it's an opportunity to connect with authentic Nigerian storytelling and rhythm.

[English]

Judi judi judi jusile

Judi ehn judi ah judi ehn jusile

Se kin kibe soke o se kin demo faster

Se kin kibe soke o se kin demo faster

Now moti lowo, ijo wa lese mi o

Now moti lowo, ijo ti wa lese mi o

Se kin kibe soke o se kin demo faster

Se kin kibe soke o se kin demo faster

No no no no no no no no no no e eh

No no no no no no no no no no ah ah

Oda noh

...

They ask me o

They want to know as things dey go

For my country o

E don kolo, people don kolo, eji soro

E no easy

No money o, no light e o, water nko?

E no dey flow

If e vex e o, dem go call mopol, dem go come o carry you go

I never tell you mio sho mo, I never tell you, never tell you mio shomo lo mo

I never tell you mio sho mo, I never tell you, never tell you mio shomo lo mo

Se kin kibe soke o se kin demo faster

Se kin kibe soke o se kin demo faster

Now moti lowo, ijo wa lese mi o

Now moti lowo, ijo ti wa lese mi o

Se kin kibe soke o se kin demo faster

Se kin kibe soke o se kin demo faster

O no no no no no no no no no e eh

O no no no no no no no no no ah ah

O no no no no no no no no no e eh

O no no no no no no no no no ah ah

Oye ke'mo pe mo original

Oye ke'mo pe mo original

Oye ke'mo pe mo original

Awon Da li ke ti wo le o

Awon Da li ke ti wo le o

I never tell you mio sho mo

I never tell you, never tell you mio shomo lo mo

I never tell you mio sho mo

I never tell you, never tell you mio shomo lo mo

Kibe soke o demo faster

Kibe soke o demo faster

Kibe soke o (lowo)

Demo faster (lese)

Kibe soke o (lowo)

Demo faster (lese)

Soke soke, faster, faster

Soke soke, oh faster, faster

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
soke /soʊkeɪ/ B2	verb - to speak up or rise
faster /ˈfæstər/ A2	adverb - at a higher speed
country /ˈkʌntri/ A1	noun - a nation or state
people /ˈpiːpəl/ A1	noun - a group of individuals
money /ˈmʌni/ A1	noun - a medium of exchange
light /laɪt/ A1	noun - natural agent that stimulates sight
water /ˈwɔːtər/ A1	noun - a clear liquid essential for life
flow /floʊ/ A2	verb - to move in a steady stream
vex /vɛks/ B1	verb - to annoy or frustrate
original /əˈrɪdʒənl/ A2	adjective - first or initial form
demo /ˈdɛmoʊ/ B1	noun - a demonstration or protest
kolo /koʊloʊ/ C1	verb - to go wrong or become chaotic (slang)
mopol /moʊpɒl/ C2	noun - mobile police (Nigerian slang)
easy /ˈiːzi/ A1	adjective - achieved without great effort
tell /tɛl/ A1	verb - to communicate information

Key Grammar Structures

• Se kin kibe soke o se kin demo faster

  ➔ Yoruba interrogative modal verb 'Se kin...' (Should I / Do I want to...)

  ➔ 'Se kin' is a Yoruba construction indicating a question about a desired action or possibility, similar to "Should I...?" or "Do I want to...?" in English. Here, "kin" means "I" and "se" introduces the question.

• Now moti lowo, ijo wa lese mi o

  ➔ Yoruba perfect aspect marker 'moti' (mo + ti)

  ➔ 'Moti' is a contraction of "mo ti" where "mo" is the pronoun "I" and "ti" is a perfect aspect marker, similar to "have" or "already" in English. It indicates that an action has been completed or a state has been reached. In this context, "Now I have money."

• They want to know as things dey go

  ➔ Nigerian Pidgin English continuous aspect marker 'dey'

  ➔ In Nigerian Pidgin English, "dey" functions as a present continuous or habitual aspect marker, replacing forms of "to be" (is, am, are) + -ing, or simply "are/is". Here, "as things dey go" means "how things are going".

• E don kolo, people don kolo, eji soro

  ➔ Nigerian Pidgin English perfect aspect marker 'don'

  ➔ In Nigerian Pidgin English, "don" indicates a completed action or a state that has been reached, similar to the English auxiliary verbs "has" or "have". "E don kolo" means "It has gone crazy" or "It has become messed up".

• water nko?

  ➔ Yoruba interrogative particle 'nko'

  ➔ 'Nko' is a Yoruba interrogative particle used to ask "what about X?" or "how about X?". It often follows a noun or pronoun to inquire about its status or relevance.

• dem go call mopol, dem go come o carry you go

  ➔ Nigerian Pidgin English future tense marker 'go'

  ➔ In Nigerian Pidgin English, "go" is used as a future tense marker, similar to "will" in Standard English, to indicate an action that will happen. "Dem go call" means "They will call".

• I never tell you mio sho mo

  ➔ Regional variation of perfect/past tense negation 'I never...'

  ➔ In Nigerian English and Pidgin, "I never tell you" can be used to mean "I haven't told you (yet)" or "I didn't tell you", instead of the Standard English "I haven't ever told you". It indicates an action that has not occurred up to the present moment.

• Oye ke'mo pe mo original

  ➔ Yoruba expression of necessity/obligation 'Oye ke'mo'

  ➔ 'Oye' means "it is necessary" or "it is proper/fitting". "Ke'mo" is a contraction of "ki o mọ" meaning "that you know". Together, "Oye ke'mo" translates to "You ought to know" or "You should know".