In the 1970s, Lô studied at the School of Art in Dakar later joining the popular Super Diamono. He left the group in 1984 to start a solo career. Over the next four years Lô recorded five popular solo albums.
In 1990 Lô signed a recording deal with Barclay and recorded in France his sixth solo album, Ismaël Lô. Thanks to the success of the single Tajabone the album became a hit in the European charts. The album launched his international career.
Iso was recorded and released in 1994, and also became a success. The album contains soft guitar melodies and traditional senegalese mbalax. The following year Lô toured in Africa. The compilation album Jammu Africa was released in 1996.
In 1999, Tajabone was featured in Pedro Almodóvar's All About My Mother.
tajabone
Ismaël Lô Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tajabone, beni tajabone
Habdu buhu yamba, nyari malaïkala
Rhawe hekiko darum siserum
Momu muhu dida neka mukedinga
Momu muhu dida neka muhonga
Rhawe hekiko darum siserum
Momu muhu dida neka mukedinga
Momu muhu dida neka muhonga
Tajabone, beni tajabone
Tajabone, beni tajabone
Wele (4x)
Abdu nyamba, wele
Nyari malaïka, wele
Sika ule yowe, wele
Dari siserum, wele
Munina, wele
Eka muninga, wele
Munina, wele
Eka muhola, wele
Ah...
(Fonemas en Español)
Ta, Tayebón deñeo e tayebón
Ta, Tayebón deñeo e tayebón
Abdu u yambal ñare malaicalá
Jawe e ticon daru seseron
Momun munidá degan yulingán
Momun munidá dengan wongán
Jawe e ticon daru siseron
Momun munidá degan yuligán
Momun munidá degan wongán
Tayebon deñeo e tayebon
Tayebon deñeo e tayebon
Wulei, wulei, wulei, wulei
Abdu yambbarr (wulei)
Ñari malaicala (wulei)
Chicoley yogué (wulei)
Danu siserron (wule)
Munilá (wule)
Degan yuligán (wule)
Munilá (wule)
Degan wongán (wule) ahhh...
Español
Tajabone, nos vamos a Tajobone,
Adou Jabar es un angel que viene del cielo a tu alma,
te va a preguntar si rezaste,
te vas a preguntar si ayunaste,
viene a tu alma
te va a preguntar si rezaste, si ayunaste
English.
tajabone we're going to tajabone,
abdou jabar he's an angel coming from the skies to your soul,
he's going to ask you did you pray,
he's going to ask you did you fast,
he is coming to your soul,
he's going to ask you did you pray did you fast.
The lyrics of Ismaël Lô's song "Tajabone" depict a conversation between a person and an angel named Abdou Jabar who comes from the sky to the soul of the person. "Tajabone" refers to the place in question, which is likely a spiritual destination. The song suggests that Abdou Jabar is going to inquire about the person's spiritual practices such as prayer and fasting, implying that these practices are essential for one's soul. These practices are believed to bring the person closer to the divine and keep them on the right path in life.
The use of repetition in the song's chorus reinforces this message, as the phrase "Tajabone, beni tajabone" is repeated several times, emphasizing the importance of the spiritual destination. The verses, sung in Senegalese language, contain phrases such as "Momu muhu dida neka mukedinga" and "Rhawe hekiko darum siserum," which are incomprehensible to those who don't understand the language. However, these phrases contribute to the song's overall mystical atmosphere, making it a unique and enchanting piece of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Tajabone, beni tajabone
We're going to Tajabone, come with me to Tajabone
Tajabone, beni tajabone
We're going to Tajabone, come with me to Tajabone
Habdu buhu yamba, nyari malaïkala
Abdou Jabar, the Angel, comes from the skies to your soul
Rhawe hekiko darum siserum
He asks if you prayed
Momu muhu dida neka mukedinga
He asks if you fasted
Momu muhu dida neka muhonga
He is coming to your soul
Rhawe hekiko darum siserum
He asks if you prayed
Momu muhu dida neka mukedinga
He asks if you fasted
Momu muhu dida neka muhonga
He is coming to your soul
Tajabone, beni tajabone
We're going to Tajabone, come with me to Tajabone
Tajabone, beni tajabone
We're going to Tajabone, come with me to Tajabone
Wele (4x)
chant of celebration
Abdu nyamba, wele
Abdou Jabar, he comes
Nyari malaïka, wele
from the skies, he comes
Sika ule yowe, wele
to talk to you, he comes
Dari siserum, wele
and sees if you prayed, he comes
Munina, wele
he's coming to your soul, he comes
Eka muninga, wele
and sees if you fasted, he comes
Munina, wele
he's coming to your soul, he comes
Eka muhola, wele
and you know it, he comes
Ah...
exclamation of amazement
Contributed by Alexander A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Simeon
The guitar Rhythm is cool