The duo produces music that mixes traditional Mali sound with rock guitars, Syrian violins, Cuban trumpets, Egyptian ney, Colombian trombones, Indian tablas and Dogon percussion. All these elements put together have been referred to as "Afro-blues".
In 2004 they put out an acclaimed album produced by Manu Chao.
In 2006 they were acknowledged with BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music in the two categories: Africa and Album of the Year (for the "Dimanche à Bamako" release).
www.amadou-mariam.com
Djagnèba
Amadou & Mariam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Restée seule lorsque son bien-aimé voyage"
Djagnèba é bita ka né to wa, ka né tô, gnana fiin djougou la
Djagnèba é bita ka né to wa, ka né tô, kéléna kassi la
Djagnèba é bita ka né to wa, ka né tô, kéléna hami na
Djagnèba é bita ka né to wa, ka né tô, kéléna miri la
Djagnèba éy, kanata djagnèba ayi, kanata djagnèba, kanata kané kéléto
Djagnèba éy, je t'aime chéri, ne
Djagnèba éyé taga mi kè, Ddougou taga mi kè, né tora kéléna
Kéléna miri magni né ma djarabi
Djagnèba éyé taga mi ké, Yoro djan taga mi ké, né tora kéléna
Kéléna kassi magni né ma djarabi
Djagnèba éyé taga mi kè, France taga mi ké, né tora kéléna
Kéléna dali magni né ma djarabi
Djagnèba éyé taga mi kè, Amérique taga mi ké, né tora kéléna
Kéléna hami magni né ma djarabi
Djagnèba éyé taga mi kè, Mali taga mi ké, né tora kéléna
Kéléna miri magni né ma djarabi
Djagnèba éyé taga mi kè, Burkina taga mi ké, né tora kéléna
Kéléna kassi magni né ma djarabi
Djagnèba éyé taga mi kè, Abidjan taga mi ké, né tora kéléna
Kéléna dali magni né ma djarabi
Djagnèba éyé taga mi kè, La Guinée taga mi ké, né tora kéléna
Kéléna kassi magni né ma djarabi
Djagnèba éyé taga mi kè, Sénégal taga mi ké, né tora kéléna
Kéléna hami magni né ma djarabi
Djagnèba éyé taga mi kè, Mauritanie taga mi ké, né tora kéléna
Kéléna dali magni né ma djarabi
The song Djagnèba by Amadou & Mariam is a bittersweet ballad about the lament of a woman who is left alone while her beloved goes on a journey. The opening line, "C'est la complainte d'une femme restée seule lorsque son bien-aimé voyage," (It is the lament of a woman left alone when her beloved goes on a journey) sets the scene for the rest of the song. The woman, Djagnèba, expresses her love and longing for her partner, begging him not to leave her alone, and expressing the pain and despair she feels as he travels through different lands. The verses of the song list various places that the man travels to, including Yoro Djancolé in Mali, France, America, Burkina Faso, Abidjan, Guinea, Senegal, and Mauritania, while the chorus repeats her desperate cry for him to stay with her.
The song's lyrics are written in Bambara, one of the most widely spoken languages in Mali. The use of Bambara gives the song a local and authentic feel, and allows Amadou & Mariam to speak directly to the people of their country. The song's melody is simple, with the repeating chorus adding to its melancholic and contemplative nature. The use of traditional Malian instruments, such as the kora and the balafon, adds to the song's authentic and heartfelt feel.
Line by Line Meaning
C'est la complainte d'une femme Restée seule lorsque son bien-aimé voyage
This is the lament of a woman left alone while her beloved travels.
Djagnèba é bita ka né to wa, ka né tô, gnana fiin djougou la
Djagnèba is standing on the path, looking towards the horizon, waiting patiently.
Djagnèba é bita ka né to wa, ka né tô, kéléna kassi la
Djagnèba is standing on the path, looking towards the horizon, waiting for her lover to return with a bucket of milk.
Djagnèba é bita ka né to wa, ka né tô, kéléna hami na
Djagnèba is standing on the path, looking towards the horizon, waiting for her lover to return with a sheep.
Djagnèba é bita ka né to wa, ka né tô, kéléna miri la
Djagnèba is standing on the path, looking towards the horizon, waiting for her lover to return with water from the well.
Djagnèba éy, kanata djagnèba ayi, kanata djagnèba, kanata kané kéléto
Djagnèba says, 'I am waiting, Djagnèba. I am waiting, hoping for your return.'
Djagnèba éy, je t'aime chéri, ne T'en va pas, ne me laisse pas seul mon amour
Djagnèba says, 'I love you, my darling. Don't go away, don't leave me alone, my love.'
Djagnèba éyé taga mi kè, Ddougou taga mi kè, né tora kéléna Kéléna miri magni né ma djarabi
Djagnèba is waiting for me in Dogon country, waiting for me to bring water from the well for her flowers.
Djagnèba éyé taga mi ké, Yoro djan taga mi ké, né tora kéléna Kéléna kassi magni né ma djarabi
Djagnèba is waiting for me in Yoro Djan, waiting for me to bring milk for her flowers.
Djagnèba éyé taga mi kè, France taga mi ké, né tora kéléna Kéléna dali magni né ma djarabi
Djagnèba is waiting for me in France, waiting for me to bring her flowers from the fields.
Djagnèba éyé taga mi kè, Amérique taga mi ké, né tora kéléna Kéléna hami magni né ma djarabi
Djagnèba is waiting for me in America, waiting for me to bring her a sheep to graze in her garden.
Djagnèba éyé taga mi kè, Mali taga mi ké, né tora kéléna Kéléna miri magni né ma djarabi
Djagnèba is waiting for me in Mali, waiting for me to bring her water to quench her flowers' thirst.
Djagnèba éyé taga mi kè, Burkina taga mi ké, né tora kéléna Kéléna kassi magni né ma djarabi
Djagnèba is waiting for me in Burkina, waiting for me to bring her milk for her flowers.
Djagnèba éyé taga mi kè, Abidjan taga mi ké, né tora kéléna Kéléna dali magni né ma djarabi
Djagnèba is waiting for me in Abidjan, waiting for me to bring her flowers from the market.
Djagnèba éyé taga mi kè, La Guinée taga mi ké, né tora kéléna Kéléna kassi magni né ma djarabi
Djagnèba is waiting for me in Guinea, waiting for me to bring her milk for her flowers.
Djagnèba éyé taga mi kè, Sénégal taga mi ké, né tora kéléna Kéléna hami magni né ma djarabi
Djagnèba is waiting for me in Senegal, waiting for me to bring her a sheep to graze in her garden.
Djagnèba éyé taga mi kè, Mauritanie taga mi ké, né tora kéléna Kéléna dali magni né ma djarabi
Djagnèba is waiting for me in Mauritania, waiting for me to bring her flowers from the desert.
Writer(s): Mariam Doumbia
Contributed by Kaelyn M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.