Ijesu Igha Ga

"Ijesu Igha Ga" is a vibrant Edo folk hymn often sung during the Offertory. The title translates to a personal declaration: "It is Jesus I will serve." The song's structure is a litany of daily life and human endeavor—having children, building houses, farming, trading, and even the simple acts of eating and drinking.

For each of these actions, the verses remind the congregation that everything rests in God's hands ("ob'Osa ere hia kere re"). This makes it a perfect piece for the presentation of gifts, as the choir leads the people in offering not just the bread and wine, but their entire lives, livelihoods, and futures to the Lord.

The melody is characteristically rhythmic and joyful, carrying the unmistakable feel of a traditional highlife tune adapted for Catholic worship. When the choir launches into the chorus, pledging to serve Jesus all the days of their lives ("vbe d'agbon mwen hia"), it naturally invites the whole church to join in, swaying and dancing as they bring their thanksgiving to the altar.