Mo Sipa (I Lift Up My Arms in Satisfaction)
A verse in which Orunmila makes the prescribed sacrifice to complete his life's work despite a dire prediction.
Philosophical Summary
In this Eji Ogbe verse, the principle of Ebo (sacrifice) overriding even the gravest predictions is demonstrated through Orunmila himself. The verse affirms that a prediction of failure is never final — it is a diagnostic, not a sentence. By fulfilling the ebó, Orunmila transformed a foretold collapse into personal victory and sang the refrain "Mo sipa, Mo yanngede" (I lift up my arms in joyful satisfaction) as thanksgiving.
Liturgical Verses
English: I lift up my arms in joyful satisfaction. Ifa divination was performed for Orunmila, The father was told that he would not carry his responsibilities to the end of his life. Orunmila was told to perform sacrifice, And he performed the sacrifice. As a result he became impregnable. He said, I lift up my arms in joyful satisfaction. Ifa divination was performed for Orunmila, The father was told that he would not carry his responsibilities to the end of his life. I will carry my own responsibilities to the end of my life. I lift up my arms in joyful satisfaction.
Yoruba: Mo sipa, Mo yanngede, A dia fun Orunmila, Won ni baba o nii lee reruu re dale. Won ni ki Orunmila o robu, O si ru u. Apa awon otaa re ko si lee ka a mo. O ni mo sipa, Mo yanngede; A dia fun Orunmila, Won ni baba o nii lee reruu re dale. Emi nikan ni n o reruu mi dale, Mo sipa, Mo yanngede.
Sacred Verses
Yorùbá
Mo sipa, Mo yanngede, A dia fun Orunmila, Won ni baba o nii lee reruu re dale. Won ni ki Orunmila o robu, O si ru u. Apa awon otaa re ko si lee ka a mo. O ni mo sipa, Mo yanngede; A dia fun Orunmila, Won ni baba o nii lee reruu re dale. Emi nikan ni n o reruu mi dale, Mo sipa, Mo yanngede.
English
I lift up my arms in joyful satisfaction. Ifa divination was performed for Orunmila, The father was told that he would not carry his responsibilities to the end of his life. Orunmila was told to perform sacrifice, And he performed the sacrifice. As a result he became impregnable. He said, I lift up my arms in joyful satisfaction. Ifa divination was performed for Orunmila, The father was told that he would not carry his responsibilities to the end of his life. I will carry my own responsibilities to the end of my life. I lift up my arms in joyful satisfaction.