BABAYE

"Babaye" is a vibrant, rhythmic setting of the Lord's Prayer in Yoruba. Arranged by Ehimaore Asuelinmen, the piece centers on the earnest petition for God's kingdom to come and His will to be done. The title itself is an invocation of the Father, setting a tone of deep reverence and surrender that resonates powerfully in the choir loft and the pews.

The structure of the song relies on a classic call-and-response format. A chanter leads the congregation through the familiar verses of the "Our Father" ("Baba wa ti n bẹ l'Ọrun..."), while the full choir responds with a harmonised, driving refrain. The choir's repeated plea—"K'ase Re bere l'ori mi" (Let your will start in my life)—makes the universal prayer deeply personal for every singer and listener.

Choirs often use this piece during the Communion rite or as a dedicated prayer meditation. Its steady pulse helps to quiet the mind, drawing the faithful into a space of sincere petition. The contrast between the cantor's flowing lines and the choir's grounded harmony creates a moving moment of worship that feels both traditional and profoundly alive.