Rostam brings a heartfelt narrative in ‘Hujambo Mwanagu,’ produced under Ma Tongwe Records. The poet Boniface Kabogo writes the lyrics, while composer Ibrahim Musa crafts a touching melody. The song talks about family, loss, and the need to rebuild bonds, set against a backdrop of Tanzanian culture.
Released: May 24, 2021
Hujambo Mwanagu
Rostam
Hujambo Mwanagu Meaning & Lyrics (Rostam)
Boniface Kabogo tells a story of family struggles and unspoken grief. One key line, ‘Mother, wipe away our tears,’ sums up the song’s plea for healing. The lyrics touch on inheritance, unresolved conflicts, and the hope for reconciliation, all rooted in personal experiences.
It’s rostam babyIt’s Rostam, baby.
Maa tongwe records bbyMa Tongwe Records, baby.
Bin ladenBin Laden.
Nakusalimia kwa jina la jamhuri ya TanzaniaI greet you in the name of the United Republic of Tanzania.
Siku nyingi hatujaongea na sisi ni familiaWe hasn’t spoken in a long time, and we’re family.
Na mbona hukuja kumzika baba kwa niniAnd why didn’t you come to bury Father? Why?
Ukipata muda kasome Luka 9 mstari wa 60When you have time, go read Luke 9:60.
We nae umezidi utukutu ndio maana baba alikuchukiaYou were just too rebellious, that’s why Father resented you.
Wengi tulioko huku mioyo yetu iliumiaFor many of us here, our hearts were aching.
Kuona baba akiwakemea waliotuonea aliwasifiaSeeing Father scold those who oppressed us, while he praised others.
Mwenzangu ulipendwa sana nyimbo zako alifurahiaMy friend, you were loved so much; he really enjoyed your songs.
Ulideka ulipewa zawadi ya t-shirt na kofiaYou were spoiled; you were given gifts of t-shirts and hats.
Kaka marehemu hasemwi njoo tujenge familiaBrother, don’t speak ill of the dead; come, let’s rebuild the family.
Acha niondoke nina damu ya kunguni nisije nikajifiaLet me leave; I’ve got bad luck, I don’t want to end up dead.
Tunaimba wote nafungiwa mimi umesahau ya kibamiaWe both sing, yet I’m the one getting banned; have you forgotten ‘Kibamia’?
Ila sasa unaweza ukarudi mmhBut now, you’re finally able to return, mhm.
Mbona mambo yako shwari noWhy are things so smooth for you? No.
Hata kaka aliyekuwa hakupendiEven the brother who didn’t like you.
Mambo yake yako mshazali wachaHis affairs are a total mess now, just stop.
Aliuza nyumba ya Kino bila hela ya udalaliHe sold the Kinondoni house without even paying the commission.
Akapata ya Kigamboni kasombwa na upepo wa bahariHe got a place in Kigamboni, but he’s been swept away by the sea breeze.
Hii ni hatari kuna watu baba aliwapa kiburiThis is dangerous; there are people Father made arrogant.
Tulionekana wajeuri kila tulipo mshauriWe looked like rebels whenever we tried to advise him.
Eh eh kaka eeh basi rudi ufukue kaburiEh, brother, just come back and dig up the grave.
No na wasiwasi na walio baki mama awaangalie vizuriNo, I’m worried about those who stayed; Mother should watch them closely.
Kama kaka yetu aliye hai na yuko happy yule chengaLike our brother who’s alive and happy, that trickster.
Polepole haya mambo sasa ni msibaSlowly, these things have now become a tragedy.
Njoo chemba narudi januari na nitafika kwa kaka bumbuliCome aside; I’m returning in January, and I’ll visit the brother in Bumbuli.
Hata kwa mamdogo yule mwalimu wa Tanga utaishi vizuriEven with your aunt, that teacher from Tanga, you’ll live well.
Mama tuna kutazama weMother, we’re looking to you.
Mama tufute machoziMother, wipe away our tears.
Mama mama mamaMother, Mother, Mother.
Rudisha tabasamuBring back the smile.
Kila mtu anasema lake hivi kipi kime muua babaEveryone has their own theory; what actually killed Father?
Achana na maneno ya watu na tena badirisha madaIgnore the people’s gossip and just change the subject.
Ni maradhi ya moyo usisikilize hizo keleleIt was a heart condition; don’t listen to that noise.
Muache baba apumzike kwenye nyumba ya mileleLet Father rest in his eternal home.
Okay na mama anaendeleaje yuko Dar au yupo mkoaOkay, and how is Mother doing? Is she in Dar or up-country?
Tafadhali msisitize asiache kuvaa barakoaPlease remind her not to stop wearing her mask.
Mama yako yupo majukumu ndio yamembanaYour mother is around; her duties have her tied up.
Na juzi kwenye kikoba wamempa uwenyekiti wa chamaAnd recently in the ‘kikoba’ savings group, they made her the party chairperson.
Na nimewapenda sana wale wasaidizi alio wachaguaAnd I really like the assistants she chose.
Waliopita ni wezi wa vikoba yani afadhali amewatimuaThe previous ones were thieves; it’s a good thing she fired them.
Na kikoba cha vijana bado anakiongoza kakaAnd the youth savings group is still led by Brother.
Mmh yule sidhani kama mama atamuacha nina mashakaMmh, I don’t think Mother will keep him; I have my doubts.
Hivi vipi huko umeshaonana na dadaBy the way, have you seen Sister over there yet?
Maana hata yeye ilikuwa haziivi na babaBecause even she didn’t get along well with Father.
Dada amechoka wanafamilia wana mwangushaSister is exhausted; the family members are letting her down.
Ila nitaonana nae sisi ni ndugu siwezi kumsusaBut I’ll see her; we’re siblings, I can’t just abandon her.
Shauri zenu bwana tukipewa urithi msishangaeIt’s up to you guys; don’t be surprised if we’re given the inheritance.
Nyie si mmegoma kurudi tusilaumiane baadaeSince you’ve refused to return, don’t blame us later.
Emhee yani toka nikujue leo mdio umeongea cha maanaWow, since I’ve known you, today is the first time you’ve said something sensible.
Nina mengi ya kukuuliza smije mkamdhulumu mamaI’ve got a lot to ask you, so you don’t end up mistreating Mother.
Vipi swimming pool ya babu ile ya RufijiHow’s Grandpa’s swimming pool in Rufiji?
Sasa hivi iko chini ya nani na inamnufaisha bibiWho’s managing it now, and is it benefiting Grandma?
Baba alisimamia katuachia sisi wanaeFather supervised it and left it for us, his children.
Na kumewekwa mataa yanayo imulika KisaraweAnd lights have been installed that illuminate Kisarawe.
Na ile biashara ya Bagamoyo baba alioisitishaAnd that Bagamoyo business that Father had stopped.
Juzi mjomba alisema iendelee inasikitishaThe other day, Uncle said it should continue; it’s disappointing.
Kwa hiyo kamsaliti baba eh ah ah sijamaanishaSo he’s betrayed Father, huh? No, I didn’t mean it like that.
Mama amuwangalie kaka yake kwa makini atamfelishaMother should watch her brother carefully; he’ll make her fail.
Mama tuna kutazama weMother, we’re looking to you.
Mama tufute machoziMother, wipe away our tears.
Mama mama mamaMother, Mother, Mother.
Rudisha tabasamuBring back the smile.
Baba alifanya mema mengi muacheni alaleFather did many good things; let him rest.
Oya saa ngapi huko unasikiliza ngoma za kaleHey, what time is it there? You’re listening to old songs.
Natamani kuisikiliza ya kwelina kwenye daraja la MfugaleI want to hear the real story on the Mfugale flyover.
Huku saa 8 nina mawazo hivi njiwa bado wapo waleIt’s 2:00 AM here and I’m thinking; are those pigeons still there?
Njiwa wametutia hasara sijui aliwaza nini babaThe pigeons have caused us losses; I don’t know what Father was thinking.
Kivipi wakati naondoka mi niliwaacha wako sabaHow? When I left, I left seven of them.
Mama akaongeza watatu njiwa mkubwa hatagi kwa niniMother added three more; why isn’t the big pigeon laying eggs?
Lile banda kule kijijini sa baba alilijengea niniThat shed in the village, why did Father build it?
Ila nitunzie sana mamangu bado ulinzi anauhitaji na kingineBut take good care of my mother; she still needs protection, and one more thing.
Mwe makini na yule baba mdogo mchungajiBe careful with that younger uncle, the pastor.
Mama yupo sehemu salama usijali punguza uwogaMother is in a safe place; don’t worry, stop being afraid.
Na ushauri pia anapewa na baba mkubwa wa MsogaAnd she’s also getting advice from the elder uncle from ‘Msoga’.
Halafu baba na yule uncle wa Singida hawakupatanaAlso, Father and that uncle from Singida didn’t get along.
Kwa nini wasikae wamalize tu tofauti zao na mamaWhy don’t they just sit down and settle their differences with Mother?
Ndio uongee nae sasa harudi si unajua kuwa alihamaYou should talk to him; he’s not coming back now, you know he moved away.
Yeye na rafiki zake wapate usalamaHe and his friends should find safety.
Na wale nashangazi wawili bado wana hasira na babaAnd those two aunts are still angry with Father.
Wangesamehe na kusahau wangempa mama msaadaIf they’d just forgive and forget, they’d be able to help Mother.
Na umwambie mama aendelee kushirikiana na majiraniAnd tell Mother to keep cooperating with the neighbors.
Familia ina amani waliokwazwa warudi nyumbaniThe family is at peace; those who were offended should come home.
Naona kikao cha familia kina ndugu wa upande mmojaI see the family meeting only has relatives from one side.
Uncle anawajibu ndugu wa nje na kuacha kujadili hojaUncle is answering the outside relatives instead of discussing the main point.
Ebu kwanza ngoja mama anaingia tutaongea baadayeHold on a second; Mother’s coming in, we’ll talk later.
Nitakucheki ngoja nimpe simu uongee naeI’ll check on you; let me give her the phone so you can talk to her.
Halloo hujambo mwananguHello, how are you, my child?
Hujambo Mwanagu Music Video
The meaning of ‘Hujambo Mwanagu’ is about healing family wounds. The lyrics offer a mix of pain and hope, reminding us of the importance of unity and forgiveness in Tanzanian culture.