Niinue (Lift Me Up/ I’m Pressing On) Lyrics by Sarah Kiarie/ Enid Moraa

Mbeleni naendelea, (I’m pressing on the upward way)
Ninazidi kutembea (New heights I’m gaining every day)
Mombi uyasikie (Still praying as I’m onward bound)
Ee Bwana unipandishe (Lord, plant my feet on higher ground)

Ee Bwana uniinue (Lord, lift me up and let me stand)
Kwa imani nisimame (By faith, on Heaven’s table land)
Nipande milima yote (A higher plane than I have found)
Ee Bwana unipandishe (Lord, plant my feet on higher ground)

Sina tamaa ni nikae (My heart has no desire to stay)
Mahali pa shaka kamwe (Where doubts arise and fears dismay)
Hapo wengi wanakaa (Though some may dwell where those abound)
Kuendelea naomba (My prayer, my aim, is higher ground)

Nisikae duniani (I want to live above the world)
Ni mahali pa shetani (Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled)
Natazamia mbiguni (For faith has caught the joyful sound)
Nitafika kwa imani (The song of saints on higher ground)

(Chorus)

Nataka nipandishwe juu (I want to scale the utmost height)
Zaidi ya ee mawingu (And catch a gleam of glory bright)
Nitaomba nisikize (But still I’ll pray till Heav’n I’ve found)
Ee Bwana unipandishe (Lord, plant my feet on higher ground)
(Repeat)

(Chorus)

Notes:
The English translation in this song is not exact. The Swahili version was adopted from the original hymn, that is why the translation is the hymn itself. Otherwise, the translation differs for example as follows: (Verse 1 + Chorus)

I’m moving forward/I am pressing on/Listen to my prayers /Oh Father lift me up
Oh Father Lift me up/to stand in faith/To climb all hills/ Oh Father lift me up.