Ty says…
This song is sung from the point-of-view of the great ocean orisa, Yemonja/Olukun. Yemonja is the feminine aspect of the ocean, nurturing and generous, while Olukun is the masculine aspect of the ocean, powerful and volatile. However, this is but one entity, not two, and only when treated as whole can this orisa be properly and safely approached. Trying to separate the light from the dark is not only disrespectful but can be dangerous, if one only seeks Olukun without Yemonja’s temperance. This is an important lesson, not just for this orisa, but in us all – we all have our light and dark sides, our masculine and feminine aspects, and to alienate parts of ourselves is to invite destruction and pain.
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lyrics
I am the mother you call
when the waves lash the shore
and the rain floods your eyes;
but this tempest is only my gift
to my child, this land
I am the father you call
when currents pull you down
and the chill seeps in your flesh;
but this power is only my gift
to my child, this land
come to me fearful or broken
and I will nurture you;
confront me with gall or hubris
and I will shatter you;
treat me with kindness and love
and I will bless you
treat me with respect and wit
and I will bless you
I’ll rock you as a babe at my breast,
calm and safe, calm and safe;
I’ll protect you, I’ll provide for you,
all the riches of the waves
I’ll take you breathless to the sea floor,
silent and cold, silent and cold;
I will still you, I will strengthen you,
my temper the typhoon’s rage
come to me afraid or broken
and I will nurture you;
confront me with anger or arrogance
and I will shatter you;
treat me with kindness and love
and I will bless you
treat me with respect and wit
and I will bless you