The title track of the 2018 album Yes And Amen, “Yes and Amen”, features Nigerian gospel singer Tope Alabi, in a lengthy act of worship that focuses on the glory and sovereignty of God.
Tope Alabi employs a lot of praise in the Yoruba language, describing God with expressive phrases, but emphasizes that life without Him doesn’t have a genuine foundation. The writing progresses from adoration to testimony and from witness to declarations of total dependence on the Creator.
At slightly over eight minutes, the song’s repeated affirmations are given freedom to gradually build, rather than being forced into a standard short-form structure. Repeated lines help to enhance its worship aspect and bestow upon the performance a communal, devotional quality.
The power is in the language and visuals Alabi employs to show reverence. The hymn moves beyond personal testimony to a continuing acknowledgment of divine authority with references to God as creator of the land, sea and heavens.
Stream the song and the whole Yes And Amen album on all the major digital platforms. What are your thoughts in the comments below.
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