Ojuju Calabar

The evening is here again,

and the children are out to play.

They form a large circle,

And their chanting resonates.

Kpanpangolo! kpangolo!

Around a circle of peers,

Kpanpangolo! Kpangolo!

The Lion roars so loud.

Kpanpangolo! Kpangolo!

He chases after the goat.

Kpanpangolo! kpangolo!

The crowd raises tempo.

Kpanpangolo! kpangolo!

The Lion catches his prey.

Kpanpangolo! kpangolo!

The Lion gets the cheers.

Everyone gladly took turns

playing Kpanpangolo;

Acting the Lion and the goat.

Sounds of happy cheers

Beclouds their young minds,

As the night catches them in time.

Hurray! For their play just begun!

The night threw in special spice of much more interesting adventure!

So mothers' beckons'

falls on deaf ears,

and fathers' threats are watered in seconds.

If not that "Ojuju Calabar" was

being mentioned,

Dawn should have met them there.

A Solution to the insisting child,

A halting key to her cries at night.

While she throws herself into the fire and water, demanding your unwilling consent.

Mention "Ojuju Calabar" and see her behave.

Concerning the child who trails you here and there.

Becoming an unnecessary load upon your head.

Whilst she wails to follow you suit.

Tell her about "Ojuju Calabar" presence on the road,

And watch her transform to a sober child.

A fear upon the fearless breed,

Whose hand lands on everything

and legs travels everywhere.

Present "Ojuju Calabar" in her destination!

And you're sure of an immediate retreat!

Ojuju Calabar

The children's nightmare!

The mystic Scarry masquerade

that punishes stubborn children

with cane!

Though he never existed,

He does in the minds of cradles.

If so you seek a tranquil moment;

Just shout "Ojuju Calabar"

And watch the magic take place.