Artistiya
Amadou & Mariam Lyrics

Ah ah ah ah
The opening lines of the song express the joy, energy, and rhythm that characterize this track. The repetition of 'ah' sounds creates a catchy and engaging melody that sets the tone for the rest of the song.

Coné bi djama be fo aounissou
This line is in Bambara, and it means 'Let's dance together in unity.' Amadou and Mariam are calling out to the listener, inviting them to join in the celebration and let the music move them.

Sali cono mogo yo néco aounissou
This line roughly translates to 'Come with me, my friend, let's dance in unity.' Amadou and Mariam continue their call to dance, emphasizing the need to do so together and in harmony.

Bateri fo laouka fo counissou
Here, the lyrics mention the drums (bateri) driving the beat of the music. With this line, the artists acknowledge the impact that the rhythm has on the dance and the importance of keeping it in sync with the rest of the ensemble.

Djama né wili lan deliko latoun
This line conveys a sense of longing, as it means 'Dance, my heart, where you belong.' This line could also suggest the deep emotional connection that the artists have to the music they create and perform.

Djama né wila la nacan na dé
With this line, the artists continue to express their passion for dance, singing 'Dance, my soul, in the center of the circle.' This suggests that the artists not only feel a connection to the music but also to the community that surrounds them when they perform.

Aoumadan djamana yala caguélin bètècé
This line references the traditional Bambara music of Mali and its ability to uplift and move people. 'Aoumadan djamana' refers to the old days, suggesting that this music has been a source of joy and inspiration for generations. 'Caguélin bètècé' could be translated as 'the rhythm of life'.

Walaï tounga fètacaguélé bètècé
Similar to the previous line, this one also emphasizes the importance of rhythm and the role it plays in the music of Mali. 'Walaï tounga' means 'I swear it', suggesting the artists take their music very seriously.

Iyé iyé iyé iyé misigui caguélé bètècé
This is a repetitive line that means 'Yes, yes, yes, the rhythm of life'. The repetition of 'iyé iyé iyé iyé' intensifies the message of the line and reinforces the importance of the rhythm.

Nebi djama befou aounissou
This line is similar to the first line of the song and means 'Let's dance together, my brother/sister'. The use of 'nebi' suggests a strong connection, as it's a term of endearment used between family members.

Cadémisenoung bé fo counissou
This line talks about the guitar playing (Cadémisenoung bé guitari) driving the music forward. It emphasizes the importance of instrumental accompaniment in the music of Mali.

Bagayoko bé guitari fo abécé
This line references the guitarist Amadou Bagayoko, who plays an important role in the music of Amadou & Mariam. Here, the song acknowledges his contributions to the music and his ability to play the guitar with skill and passion.

Manu bé donguilida abécé
This line references the bass player in the band, Manu Chao. 'Donguilida' means 'to hold down' or 'support', suggesting that the bass guitar is an essential component of the music.

Mariam bé donguilida abécé
This line references Mariam Doumbia herself, implying that her voice contributes significantly to the music. In this line, 'donguilida' plays the same role as in the previous line, supporting the overall sound of the music.

Djama artisya caguélé bètècé
This line serves as a chorus or refrain, repeating throughout the song. 'Djama artisya' means 'Artists united', emphasizing the message of unity and togetherness throughout the song. 'Caguélé bètècé' once again emphasizes the central importance of rhythm in the music of Mali.

Ka salikono mogo bé fo counissou
This line means 'Let's dance together, my friend.' In this verse, the artists continue to emphasize the importance of dancing together in unity, again highlighting the sense of community that surrounds the music.

Ka tchokorobaou bé fo aounissou
This line is similar to the previous one, with 'tchokorobaou' adding a bit of a playful and teasing tone to the invitation to dance together. It can be translated as 'Let's dance until we drop'.

Ka moussokorobaou bé fo ounissou
This line can be translated as 'Let's dance moussokoroba until we drop'. 'Moussokoroba' is a Bambara dance style that originated in Mali and is characterized by fast and energetic movements. The repetition of 'ka' at the beginning of each line emphasizes the celebratory and communal tone of the song.

Ka Mali djéli ding koulou bé fo counissou
This line references the traditional Mali music style of djéli, which is characterized by storytelling and a connection to the griot tradition. 'Ding koulou' refers to the rhythm played on the djembé drum during this style of music.

Ka Mali tchémising koulou bé fo counissou
This line references another traditional Mali rhythm - tchémising koulou. The repetition of 'ka Mali' once again situates the music within the cultural context of Mali.

Ka m’bogotigui koulou fo aounissou
This line refers to another drum rhythm - m'bogotigui koulou - and the need to dance together in harmony with the beat. By repeating different traditional rhythms, the lyrics of the song emphasize the diversity and richness of Malian music culture.

Ka démissenou bé fo counissou
This line expresses the idea of coming together and dancing in harmony. The repetition of 'ka' at the beginning of each line continues to underscore the importance of this message of unity and togetherness.

Djama artisya kaguélé bètècé
This line repeats the chorus or refrain from earlier in the song, reiterating the message of unity and shared community among the artists and listeners alike.