YA KARE!

"Ya Kare!" (Hausa for "It is Finished!") is a profound and deeply moving Lenten hymn composed by Jacob Okwori. Written as an entry for the FILM 'Calabar' 2025 festival by the Good Shepherd Catholic Chaplaincy Choir, this piece meditates on the final moments of Christ's passion. The lyrics draw us to the foot of the cross, echoing the Savior's ultimate sacrifice and his triumphant declaration that the work of salvation is complete.

The verses guide the choir and congregation through a vivid reflection on the crucifixion, asking us to look upon the King of the earth crowned with thorns, the Lord of the skies pierced with nails, and the Lord of the seas whose side was pierced by a lance. As the voices swell, they remind us that His blood and water flow to wash away our sins and set us free.

Musically, the arrangement is rich with traditional instrumentation, calling for the sarewa (flute), ganga (membrane drums), and tulun kida (pot drum) to ground the sacred text in an authentic cultural soundscape. The piece culminates in a striking Tenor solo during the Coda, where the soloist takes on the voice of Christ Himself, declaring His sovereignty over all creation and offering His wounded hands and feet as the ultimate proof of His redeeming love.