19 Sep Woyaya
*** This track was re-recorded and updated on May 2, 2020 ***
Woyaya was composed by seven musicians from the band Osibisa. The original line-up consisted of Teddy Osei, Mac Tontoh, and Sol Amarfio (all three from Ghana), plus Loughty Lassisi Amao from Nigeria, Robert Bailey from Trinidad, Spartacus R from Grenada, and Wendell Richardson from Antigua. Together they were also known as “the beautiful seven”.
Woyaya was recorded by Sweet Honey in the Rock and I learned it from founding member Ysaye Barnwell. It was also covered by Art Garfunkel on his debut solo album. Lyrics written by Annie Masembe from Uganda. Woyaya means “we keep going” in a Ghanaian language called Ga.
Recording
Lyrics
We are going
Heaven knows where we are going,
but we know within
And we will get there
Heaven knows how we will get there,
but we know we will
It will be hard we know
And the road will be muddy and rough
But we’ll get there
Heaven knows how we will get there
but we know we will
Woyaya…
Woyaya means “we keep going” in a Ghanaian language called Ga.
Osibisa’s album “Heads” was a cornerstone of my life, as one of the first albums I had when I was 15 or so. Looking for lyrics (and meaning in English) for the song “Mentumi”, which has a call-and-response dynamic; an up-tempo (something) “menumi”, followed by a slower-tempo “mentumyoo…” Starts with a vocal “jjjjooooommm” followed by delicate guitar, then the song. Magic!
This song is one of the unofficial anthems of Alternate ROOTS, a nonprofit arts organization in the Southern U.S, brought to us by Elise Witt and sung before our business meetings for decades. We want to quote the song in the chapter that Elise wrote for a new book about Alternate ROOTS (a collection of essays and reflections) to be published in 2026 by New Village Press. But we have not been able to figure out how to get a print license. Any advice?
I first knew the song through Art Garfunkel’s version, which is wonderful. The original is just as amazing with a different sound – proof that a good song is a good song. I hadn’t heard it in 30 years and a friend played it last year – I remembered every word.
When I was a boy in high school (1977), I had a dream that I was in one of my high school hallways and many little kids came up to me holding my hand and leading me somewhere. They were singing this song while they held my hands. I remember being dumbfounded and smiling while these kids lead me away.
For 40 years I have been searching for this song, only remembering the sound of the first few bars. I found it today. My wife is wondering why I am crying…
Live Acoustic version by Osibisa! They lead the audience in participation: https://soundcloud.com/osibisaofficial/woyaya-acoustic-live-1
There are many more tracks in their Soundcloud.
‘Woyaya is the second album by Ghanaian Afro-rock band Osibisa released in 1971 by MCA. It was reissued in 2004 in a two-CD pack together with the self-titled album Osibisa by BGO Records. Although conventionally spelled Woyaya the album’s title is actually Wɔyaya (with an open-o), which comes from the Ghanaian Ga language and translates as “We are going”.’ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woyaya
Wonderful song, but this sentence is incorrect “Woyaya was composed as a collaboration of seven South African musicians” The seven musicians were in the band Osibisa – who were not from South Africa. Three of them were from Ghana.
The original line-up consisted of Teddy Osei (saxophone, flute, and vocals), Mac Tontoh (trumpet and background vocals), Sol Amarfio (drums and backing vocals), all three from Ghana, Loughty Lassisi Amao (congas, percussion, and horns), from Nigeria, Robert Bailey (keyboards), from Trinidad, Spartacus R (bass), from Grenada, and Wendell Richardson (lead guitar and vocals) from Antigua; together they were also known as “the beautiful seven”.
Thanks Caroline! I’ll make the correction.
Thanks so much Caroline. I incorporated your very helpful information into the song description. I also re-recorded the song to reflect a minor lyric adjustment and for better audio quality. With love and appreciation, Lisa
i love this. please share it on facebook. It is important now. thank you.