Sowa
Fatoumata Diawara Lyrics
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(Bambara)
Sowa ayii
Sowa aha sowa wa x2
Lahila hila Mamadara surulayi ko ne bèna kuma sa
Ne bè n'sarala musow la, dunia musow la ko lamò gèlèman
I bè kònòta sègèn na k'i den wolo sègèn na, k'i kan'o lamò abada
Ka taga lamò la i b'o di lamò la k'i kan'o tònò dun abada saha aha ahayiiiiiiiiii
Jònni ye lamò den ye?
Ne ni n'dògòniw lamò den ye
Jònni ye lamò den ye?
Fatan batan ye lamò den ye
N'a u ma nya ne ma ka lamò nyèfò ne dun ma lamò kòrò don
Ko Jònni yé lamò denye?
Ne ni n'dògòniw lamò den ye
Ni woldeni b'i bolo i kan'a di ka taa lamòla
Ni den musomanni bi bolo i kan'a di ka taa lamòla
Den cèmanni bi bolo i kan'a di ka taa lamòla
O bèna ni dusu kasi ye, o bèna ni sòn ja ye
A y'a denw nyè lajè x4
Sani olu ka taa nyani na.
A y'a denw nyè lajè yéééé
Ne ko ko sani olu ka taa sègèn na. A y'a denw nyè lajèèèèè
Ne ko ko sani olu ka taa sègèn na. A y'a denw nyè lajèè hé x2
Sowa aha sowa wa
Fatoumata Diawara's Sowa is a song about the concept of life and death in the Bambara language, a language spoken in Mali. The song talks about the inevitability of death and how it is something that all individuals must face at one point in their lives. The lyrics make reference to the fact that everyone is born into this world and regardless of your wealth, ethnicity or status in life, death is the one thing that will come for everyone.
The song starts with the repetition of the phrase "Sowa ayii, Sowa aha, Sowa wa" which translates to "Life is this way, life is that way, life is like this". This repetition emphasizes the fact that life is unpredictable and we have to navigate it accordingly. The rest of the lyrics speak about different scenarios of life, for example, the idea that we are all trying to build something in this world and trying to leave a lasting legacy but eventually, everything fades away.
The chorus of "Jònni ye lamò den ye?" which means "Where are you going?" is a reminder that death is like a journey that everyone must take at some point. The lyrics of the song emphasize the importance of finding peace and fulfillment in life, achieving one's dreams and living life to the fullest before the inevitable end comes.
Line by Line Meaning
Sowa ayii
The song of Sowa begins
Sowa aha sowa wa x2
The repetition of Sowa symbolizes the call and response of a traditional African song
Lahila hila Mamadara surulayi ko ne bèna kuma sa
Mamadara's voice echoes in the distance, calling the people together
Ne bè n'sarala musow la, dunia musow la ko lamò gèlèman
We must listen to the voice of the world and follow the wisdom of the elders
I bè kònòta sègèn na k'i den wolo sègèn na, k'i kan'o lamò abada
If we do not learn from our mistakes, we will continue to suffer and make the same mistakes
Ka taga lamò la i b'o di lamò la k'i kan'o tònò dun abada saha aha ahayiiiiiiiiii
We must work together to create a better future for ourselves and our children
Jònni ye lamò den ye?
Who will lead us?
Ne ni n'dògòniw lamò den ye
We need a leader who is wise and experienced
Fatan batan ye lamò den ye
We need a leader who is fair and just
N'a u ma nya ne ma ka lamò nyèfò ne dun ma lamò kòrò don
We need a leader who will listen to the people and work for their benefit
Ni woldeni b'i bolo i kan'a di ka taa lamòla
The people are ready to follow a leader who is honest and trustworthy
Ni den musomanni bi bolo i kan'a di ka taa lamòla
The people are ready to follow a leader who is respectful and humble
Den cèmanni bi bolo i kan'a di ka taa lamòla
The people are ready to follow a leader who is knowledgeable and wise
O bèna ni dusu kasi ye, o bèna ni sòn ja ye
We will support our leader in good times and in bad
A y'a denw nyè lajè x4
Let us dance and celebrate our unity as a people
Sani olu ka taa nyani na.
The sound of the drums brings us together
A y'a denw nyè lajè yéééé
Let us dance and rejoice
Ne ko ko sani olu ka taa sègèn na. A y'a denw nyè lajèèèèè
When the drums stop, let us continue to celebrate our culture and tradition
Ne ko ko sani olu ka taa sègèn na. A y'a denw nyè lajèè hé x2
Even when the sound of the drums fades away, let our unity and joy continue
Sowa aha sowa wa
The call and response of Sowa reminds us to work together and celebrate our community
Contributed by Oliver W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lisa Ronan Murphy
on Bissa
What a Beautiful song...