Napenda Niwe na Wewe (I Desire to be Close to You) Lyrics by Emmanuel Mgogo

(Sung in Swahili)

Refrain:
Mimi napenda niwe karibu na wewe (I desire to be close to You)
Bwana, niwe na wewe (Lord, to be with You)
Univute niwe karibu nawe (Draw me closer to You)
Bwana, mimi napendaga (Lord, this is my desire)
Mimi napenda niwe karibu na wewe (I desire to be close to You)
Bwana, niwe na wewe (Lord, to be with You)
Univute niwe karibu nawe (Draw me closer to You)
Bwana, mimi napendaga (Lord, this is my desire)
Maana hapa nilipo, Moyoni nina kiu zaidi
(For where I currently am, my spirit thirsts)
Kuwa karibu na wewe, Oh, mi napendanga
(To be close to You, is my desire)
Maana hapa nilipo, Moyoni nina kiu zaidi
(For where I currently am, my spirit thirsts)
Kuwa karibu na wewe, Oh, mi napendanga
(To be close to You, is my desire)

Mi nina haja na wewe Bwana (Lord, I desire You)
Ninatamani ukae nami (I desire that You abide with me)
Sioni mwingine, wala sijapata mwingine (I see none other, have found none other)
Ila ni wewe wa kunifaa (Only You satisfy me)
Mi wa kunitunza, Ila ni wewe (None else can keep me, Only You)

Tabibu wa karibu, Bwana (The close physician, Lord)
Usinipite pembeni Bwana, (Lord, do not pass me by)
Sina mwingine wa kunihurumia (I have none else merciful to me)
Pale ninapojeruhiwa (When I am hurt)
Na wanyanganyi, uwe karibu (By robbers, be close to me)
Wewe ni msamaria mwema utanihudumia (You are my Good Samaritan, will care for me)
Utanifunga majeraha (You will bind my wounds)
Unionyeshe pendo lako, maana wanipenda (Show me Your Love, for You love me)
Unionyeshe pendo lako, maana wanipenda (Show me Your Love, for You love me)

Sioni la kunifurahisha (I see nothing that give me joy)
Nikiwa mbali nawe Bwana (When I drift far from You)
Kama mtu nangolewa udongoni (Like man from clay)
Nitazinyaa na kudhoofika (I will degrade and fade away)
Ninaomba univute niwe karibu nawe (I pray that You draw me close to You)
Kama mti ulopandwa kandokado ya maji (Like a tree planted close to many waters)
Uzaao matunda mazuri (That bears good fruit)
Wala majani yake hayanyauki (And whose leaves do not wither)
Kila nitendalo lifanikiwe (That all I do will be successful)
Bwana naomba (Lord I pray)

Wewe ni maji ya uzima (You are the life-giving waters)
Wewe ni maji yaliyo hai (You are the living waters)
Kisima cha uzima, na upendo (The well of Life, and Love)
Kama ayala porini, ayatamanivyo maji (Like the deer in the desert pants for water)
Ndivyo nafsi yangu yakutamani wewe (Thus my spirit longs for You)
Fanya hima, usichelewe (Hurry, do not tarry)
Univute karibu nawe, niwe na wewe (Draw me close to You, that I be with You)

(Refrain)

Kukaa na wewe ni shauku pekee, ya moyo wangu Bwana
(To abide with me is my heart’s only prayer, Lord)
Hapa nilipo sidharika, natamani nipandishwe juu
(I am not satisfied with my situation, raise me up)
Univute karibu nawe, karibu zaidi ya jana
(Draw me close to You, closer than yesterday)
Uwe nuru niangazie, pendo lako kama maji
(Be my Light onto my path, Your Love like waters)
Nizame kwenye kisima, cha uwepo wako
(That I may soak in Your Presence)
Nimesoma katika neno lako — Zaburi, umesema
(For I have read Your words: You say in Psalms)
“Aketiye mahali pake pa siri pa aliye juu
(“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High)
Huyo atakaa katika uvuli wake Mwenyezi
(Will rest in the shadow of the Almighty)
Ataokolewa kwa mitego ya adui”
(They will be saved from the fowler’s snare)
Silaha zote na mishale, haitofanikiwa
(Neither the arrows nor other weapons shall succeed)
Silaha zote na mishale, haitofanikiwa
(Neither the arrows nor other weapons shall succeed)

Nichukue uniweke hapo Bwana
(Take me and place me there, Lord)
Hili ni ombi la moyo wangu
(This is the prayer of my heart)
Niketishe kwenye uwepo wako
(Seat me where Your Presence is)
Niketishe kwenye uwepo wako
(Sit me where Your Presence is)
Usiniache gizani Bwana, pekee yangu siwezi
(Do not leave me in the dark Lord, For I cannot do it by myself)
Kaa nami, karibu nami
(Abide with me, close to me)
Ndani yangu, nami ndani yako
(You in me, and I in You)
Univute karibu nawe, mikononi mwako
(Drae me closer to You, within Your arms)
Univute karibu nawe, niwe na wewe, Bwana
(Draw me closer to You, that I be with You, Lord)

(Refrain)