as the donging gongs slowly echoes into the background
initiating the royal lyricist to recite famous proverbs
that lead the new Olorì into the royal residence.
In all smiles, with her ìlẹ̀kẹ̀ ìdí slightly revealing beneath her aṣọ òfì,
she approaches the throne with charm and grace in her poise— tango to the musicians in Kẹ̀mbẹ̀,
Adéṣẹwà stoops to kneel on the awọ àmọ̀tẹ́kùn at the King's feet,
then in majesty, the King pats the ìrùkẹ̀rẹ̀ on her head and renders a hearty ballad;
Awẹ́lẹ́wà, daughter of Àdùnní,
Adúmáadán, ọmọge tó rẹwà, Ẹ́wàtómi,
your beauty is balm to dying monarchs
and your skin lit as the countryside mahogany,
Òrékèlẹwà, Àyànfẹ́ mi, my beloved,
your smile lofty and soft as a chiffon
would melt the toughest iron, Eyínfúnjowó,
your radiance is like the smiles of God.
Adé mi, Elẹ́yinjú ẹgẹ́, Tèmi nìkan ṣoṣo,
your eyes are like fire lamps at twilight,
your two breasts are like pines,
beautiful from dawn to the serenade of Christmas nights.
Ẹnìkejì mi, Ẹni ọkàn mí yàn,
Ọ̀rẹ́ mi, Àrídunú mi,
your virtue is in your strength and will,
like the stretching of a falcon's wings.
An eagle will never descend unless there is a course,
lo, this pretty flower was plucked from the thorns
and today, Ọba Adédoyin of Alápá
crowns his new Olorì as Mọ́remí.
- 'Jọba
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