Alpha Blondy (born Seydou Koné on January 1, 1953 in Dimbokoro, Côte d'Ivoi… Read Full Bio ↴Alpha Blondy (born Seydou Koné on January 1, 1953 in Dimbokoro, Côte d'Ivoire) is a reggae singer. He is a major star in West Africa. He has played with The Wailers. He studied English at Hunter College in New York, and later in the Columbia University American Language Program.

Alpha Blondy sings mainly in his native language of Dioula, in French and English, and sometimes in Arabic or Hebrew. His lyrics convey strong political attitudes and a sense of humor. He coined the French word "democrature" (an English equivalent might be "democratatorship") to identify some African governments.

http://www.alphablondy.info

Black Samourai
Alpha Blondy Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Dounougnan djon bêni nakanné
Dounougnan djon bêni nakanné
Dounougnan, oh, djon bêni nakanné
Dounougnan, oh, djon bêni nakanné

Dôhou béworo waritigui yara
Kanassa fanganda yara
Dôhou béworo fanganda yara

Kanassa fintingui yara

Dôhou béworo foyi téhoroboro
Kanan ké finbatiguiyé
Dôhou béworo djon yara
Kanan kê hôromba

Dounougnan djon bêni nakanné
Dounougnan djon bêni nakanné
Dounougnan, oh, djon bêni nakanné
Dounougnan, oh, djon bêni nakanné

Maïmouna weh, kana ban Itchêla
Fanta weh, kana ban Itchêla
Virginie weh kana ban Itchêla

Kana fô Ko wari taboro
Kana fô Ko sanitaboro
Kana fô Ko mobiri taboro
Kana fô Ko avion taboro

Djon bêni sakanné, djon bêni wiri kanné
Djon bêni Lakanné

Ni Allah Kisson Kana wasso
Ni Allah misson kana nimissa

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Alpha Blondy's song Black Samourai are in the language of Djoula and French, and the song is about the struggles of Africans and their culture. The chorus, "Dounougnan djon bêni nakanné," means "The warriors are blessed, my friends, the warriors are blessed." The song praises the warriors and their efforts to protect their land and culture from the influences of colonialism.

The verses of the song describe the battles the African people faced, such as the destruction of their land and the oppression of their people. The songs mention different names such as Maïmouna, Fanta, and Virginie, which represent the various ethnic groups in Africa. The verse, "Ni Allah Kisson Kana wasso, Ni Allah misson kana nimissa," means "God's will is done, God's mission is fulfilled." This verse shows that despite the struggles and battles faced by Africans, they still maintain their faith and belief in the divine.

Overall, Alpha Blondy's Black Samourai is a tribute to the warriors and their sacrifices in fighting for their culture and beliefs, as well as a reminder to never forget the struggles Africans have faced and their continued resilience.

Line by Line Meaning

Dounougnan djon bêni nakanné
Dounougnan, please bless us

Dôhou béworo waritigui yara
May the war end and peace prevail

Kanassa fanganda yara
Let the sorrows be over

Dôhou béworo fanganda yara
Let us end the troubles

Kanassa fintingui yara
Let there be joy and happiness

Dôhou béworo foyi téhoroboro
May there be prosperity and abundance

Kanan ké finbatiguiyé
Let the famine be over

Dôhou béworo djon yara
Let us end the misfortune

Kanan kê hôromba
Let the curse be lifted

Maïmouna weh, kana ban Itchêla
Maïmouna, don't be afraid

Fanta weh, kana ban Itchêla
Fanta, don't be afraid