Baaba Maal will be headlining London's Barbican on the 30th of May.
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Baaba Maal Lyrics
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If God could turn me into a pigeon
A golden pigeon or a turtle dove
I could fly to my homeland
At Douwayra
Back home where my folks are
If God could give me everything I wish for
Long life, happiness and prosperity
Those who are dear to me
My parents and my friends
While I was in France
Learning more about art and life
One terrible phone call
Summoned me home
Where I found
My mother was already dead and buried
Orphan, Orphan, Orphan
Mama, Mama, Mama, my darling mother
Papa, Papa, Papa, my dear father
Oh Mother most kind
Oh Father full of pity
What sadness when they go
How sacred is the family
Mama, Mama, Mama Aissata
SamBa Boubou Yacine Wade
Mother of Fatou, mother of Mama
Mother of Laye Malle and of Chillo
Of Ndeye Khar and of Ndeye Gaye
Of Hameth Malle and BaaBa Baidy BaaBa Debbo
Ah Mama Aissata Khar Sano Saar and Nar Sarr
Ah Aissata SamBa Boubou Yacine
Ah Mama!
Baayo (The Orphan) is a song by Baaba Maal that reflects on the importance and sanctity of family. The song starts with a wishful thinking by the singer, who wishes God could turn him into a beautiful creature like a golden pigeon or a turtle dove, so he could fly back to his homeland at Douwayra, where his family is. He then goes on to imagine a life filled with long life, happiness, and prosperity, but only if he could always be with his loved ones, his parents and his friends.
The tone of the song changes when the singer is suddenly called back home from France where he was studying art and life. He realizes that his mother has already passed away and has been buried. The song then becomes a tribute to his mother and father, whom he refers to as Mama, Mama and Papa, Papa, respectively. The song ends with the repetition of Ah Mama, a sign of the singer's love for his mother and the pain that comes with losing her.
Baayo (The Orphan) is a very emotional song that tells a story of loss and the importance of family. It also reflects on the bond between a mother and her child, which is a universal theme. The song is sung in Wolof, which is one of the native languages of Senegal, Baaba Maal's home country.
Line by Line Meaning
If God could turn me into a pigeon
If only God could transform me into a bird with wings like a pigeon
A golden pigeon or a turtle dove
A majestic bird like a golden pigeon or a gentle bird like a turtle dove
I could fly to my homeland
Then I could soar back to the place of my birth
At Douwayra
To the town of Douwayra
Back home where my folks are
Where my family and loved ones reside
If God could give me everything I wish for
If God had the power to grant me all my heart desires
Long life, happiness and prosperity
A life filled with joyous moments and financial success that would last for ages
Then I would live always beside
Then I would continuously dwell with
Those who are dear to me
Those who hold a special place in my heart
My parents and my friends
My loved ones and close associates
While I was in France
While I was residing in France
Learning more about art and life
Acquiring knowledge in the areas of art and life
One terrible phone call
A dreadful phone call
Summoned me home
Called me back to my home country
Where I found
Upon my arrival, I discovered
My mother was already dead and buried
That my mother had already passed on and was laid to rest
Orphan, Orphan, Orphan
Fatherless and motherless, left alone in the world
Mama, Mama, Mama, my darling mother
My dear mother, who I cherished deeply
Papa, Papa, Papa, my dear father
My beloved father, who I held close to my heart
Oh Mother most kind
My benevolent mother
Oh Father full of pity
My compassionate father
What sadness when they go
How sorrowful it is when they depart from this world
How sacred is the family
The sanctity of familial relationships cannot be overemphasized
Mama, Mama, Mama Aissata
Mother Aissata, my dear mom
SamBa Boubou Yacine Wade
SamBa Boubou Yacine Wade
Mother of Fatou, mother of Mama
Mother of Fatou, Mama's mother
Mother of Laye Malle and of Chillo
Mother of Laye Malle and of Chillo
Of Ndeye Khar and of Ndeye Gaye
Of Ndeye Khar and of Ndeye Gaye
Of Hameth Malle and BaaBa Baidy BaaBa Debbo
Of Hameth Malle and BaaBa Baidy BaaBa Debbo
Ah Mama Aissata Khar Sano Saar and Nar Sarr
Ah Mama Aissata Khar Sano Saar and Nar Sarr
Ah Aissata SamBa Boubou Yacine
Ah, Aissata SamBa Boubou Yacine
Ah Mama!
Ah, Mother!
Writer(s): Baaba Maal Copyright: Island Music Ltd.
Contributed by Jayden G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.