Glide on steadily that we reach home early,

Good marketing and fishing vessels.

In the twilight is the setting sun.

The winds are cold and my pores are sealed.

Little gulls and big lagoon birds

That fly in and out the sails,

Driving to catch your prey,

What will you do to aid us reach home early?

Push the boat steadily to reach home;

It is getting dark, the ripples are breaking.

The common lagoon fishes that jumped

Into the vessel have long since died.

Ye winds, push the barge steadily homewards;

Ye market women, blow air into the sails,

Let the stick and the paddle get to work.

Let the hand and the feet get work.

It is getting dark, that we reach home early.

Be still and calm, gentle Lagoon,

Guide us safely, mother Gbele,

Till we reach our destination.

Let your flood which comes from underground

Bring us delicious fishes of all kinds,

That famine, poverty and illness pass by.

Let your dryness that smiles to show

The white teeth that bring us wealth

Come without obstruction, dear Afubaka.

Sing unto me, beautiful damsel,

You, thin-voiced minstrel, sing unto me.

I know that it is difficult

To sing on being asked;

But let me hear the echo of your voice,

Which only soothes my pining heart.

Dance unto me, beautiful damsel,

You slender necked maid, dance unto me.

I know that the drummers

Have not yet started playing;

Step off, and the sight of that alone,

Shall give me the strength I need.

When the Volta is in flood, the bar is fearful—

Fishing boats rest over the sands,

River boats ply along the sides.

The banks are nearly lost.

Crocodiles raise their heads above the water.

The mangroves grow new leaves and branches,

Big fish come ashore and food is enjoyed.

But the boat that goes astray

And meets the tide where the sea and the river meet

Tumbles and pours its contents ashore.

Dead creatures, fineries, treasures

Line up along the coast.

A smaller boat is broken in pieces

Providing fuel for dwellers along the river.

Truly, it is the boat that would break

That crosses the river at the bar.