(according to myth, Ife is the place where the Yoruban people believe the gods first came down to earth and founded the world)

 

When Oludmare the supreme deity founded the world, all glory, all glory,

He sent two brothers to do the work. Praise him, praise him.

 

He sent Obatala to create the earth. Honor him, honor him.

Obatala was given some dirt, a rooster and a palm nut. All glory, all glory.

Obatala discovered palm wine on the way and he drank it.

Intoxicated and in a stupor he fell asleep. So bad, so bad.

 

His brother Odudawa stole the three items of creation, while he slept,

Then climbed down a chain from heaven to earth. Praise him, praise him.

He threw the handful of dirt upon the primordial sea, and

Placed the chicken upon the dirt to scratch. Scratch-scratch.

It scattered the dirt and created all the land where Ife would be built. Scratch-scratch.

 

Odudawa made a hole and put the palm seed in the earth. Glory, glory.

A great tree with sixteen branches grew, one for each clan

In the Ife state. Oduduwa became the ruler of the kings. Praise him, praise him.

Odudawa created the world. The square world is his land.

 

Obatala was angry, indeed he was, and forever after

The brothers fought over who founded the world.  So sad, so sad.

But Obatala fashioned the first Yoruba people out of clay

To live in Ife. The original human race. Praise him, praise him.

 

He created their beautiful broad faces and strong backs,

Their dedication to family. All praise, all praise,

He taught them to worship the orishas, the deities of nature and life

who sprang from the sixteen branches. Praise him, praise him.

 

Every beginning must have an end.

Now Odudawa rules the kings. Praise him, praise him.

And Obatala rules the people through the orishas. Praise them, praise them.

Their sons conquered new lands. Honor them, honor them.

Their priests compose songs of praise and glory for them all. Honor them, honor them.

And Ife sits in the center, communicating with heaven. All glory, all glory.