ONWU DIRI ANYI NILE

"Onwu Diri Anyi Nile" is a deeply reflective Igbo hymn often sung by choirs during funerals and requiem Masses. The title itself carries a sobering truth—death is a reality for all humanity. With its solemn, measured cadence, the song calls the congregation to pause and consider the fleeting nature of earthly life, reminding singers and listeners alike that both the great and the small will eventually face the same end.

The verses are arranged to deliver a direct, personal message. The choir sings of repentance and the vanity of worldly wealth, beauty, and wisdom, urging the living to turn back to God while there is still time. As the voices blend in the chorus, asking "where will you be when you die?", it creates a powerful moment of introspection in the church, making it a fitting and moving piece for laying a loved one to rest.