Baaba Maal will be headlining London's Barbican on the 30th of May.
Koni
Baaba Maal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Inna wana, wanataa ko tindool
Hakkoundé manna é Alii alioo
Hakkoundé Ali manna Alii heee.
Wone ko wodnoo doo
Inna wona wonataa ko tindoole
Hakoundé manna é Ali ali o, hakoundé Ali manna Ali heee
Koni oo koni
Koni oo koni
Koniii wannooo
Koni oo koni
Konii konii
Koni oo koni
Koniii wannooo
Alioo mawnam
Ali hee
Guélé nalé mina
Ali hee
Puthie manna é deuwmenn
Ali hee
Idini ngarda riww
Ali hee
Idini ngarda raww
Ali hee
Penda yoo miniam santhiou kélée maaa
Sonn ngaridoo handé santhiou kélé maa
Ma puthié yada bofo santhiou kélé maa
Diomoum niarra dokko Santhiou kélémaa
Ndeen pendaa yooy miniaaam santhiou kélémaaa
Koni oo koni
Konii konii
Koni oo koni
Koniii wannooo
Koni oo koni
Konii konii
Koni oo koni
Koniii wannooo
Koni oo koni
Konii konii
Koni oo koni
Koniii wannooo
Koni oo koni
Konii konii
Koni oo koni
Koniii wannooo
Instrumental...
Alioo mawnam
Ali hee
Guélé nalé mina
Ali hee
Puthie manna é deuwmenn
Ali hee
Idini ngarda riww
Ali hee
Idini ngarda raww
Ali hee
Penda yoo miniam santhiou kélée maaa
Sonn ngaridoo handé santhiou kéleemaa
Ma puthié yada bofoo santhiou kélémaa
Diomoum niarra dokko
Santhiou kéleemaa
Ndeen penda yooy miniaam
Santhiou kéléemaaa
Koni oo koni
Konii konii
Koni oo koni
Koniii wannooo
Koni oo koni
Konii konii
Koni oo koni
Koniii wannooooo
Koni oo koni
Konii konii
Koni oo koni
Koniii wannooo
Koni oo koni
Konii konii
Koni oo koni
Koniii wannooo
Koni oo koni
Konii konii
Koni oo koni
Koniii wannooo
Koni oo koni
Konii konii
Koni oo koni
Koniii wannoooooo
Heeheeee haaa haaa ilaylayleeee haa haaa
Hiiii hiiii
Haaaaa haaaaa, ilaylayleeee
Haaaa haaaaa
Hiii hiiiii haaaa haaaa, ilaylayleee haaa haaa
Hiii hiiii, haaa haaaan
Ilaylayleeee haaaa haaaaan...
The song "Koni" by Senegalese musician Baaba Maal is sung in the Pulaar language and is about the importance of community and standing together during difficult times. The first verse describes coming together and supporting one another, even when things seem tough. The chorus, "Koni oo koni, konii konii, koni oo koni, koniii wannooo," is a call-and-response chant urging everyone to come together and work as a team. Throughout the song, the singer also emphasizes the role of leadership and the importance of respecting authority figures.
The second verse addresses various challenges faced by the community: poverty, illness, and political strife. The singer encourages everyone to work together to overcome these obstacles. The third verse is a celebration of the community's resilience and the singer's appreciation for their strength and perseverance.
The instrumental section is an opportunity for listeners to reflect on the song's message and think about how it applies to their own lives. The final section repeats the chorus, urging everyone to continue supporting one another and working as a team to overcome challenges.
Overall, "Koni" is a powerful message of unity and strength in the face of adversity. Baaba Maal's unique blend of traditional African rhythms and contemporary Western influences creates a captivating, uplifting sound that reinforces the song's message of hope and resilience.
Line by Line Meaning
Wone ko wodnoo doo
Watch out, the world is changing
Inna wana, wanataa ko tindool
And we must keep up with it
Hakkoundé manna é Alii alioo
The young ones are asking for Ali's wisdom
Hakkoundé Ali manna Alii heee.
Ali, always Ali, is their answer
Koni oo koni
Everybody listen
Konii konii
To the sound
Koniii wannooo
Of the talking drum
Alioo mawnam
Ali is our father
Guélé nalé mina
His voice is so strong
Puthie manna é deuwmenn
He teaches us with stories
Idini ngarda riww
That change is inevitable
Idini ngarda raww
And we must adapt
Penda yoo miniam santhiou kélée maaa
The world is in our hands
Sonn ngaridoo handé santhiou kélé maa
And we must take care of it
Ma puthié yada bofo santhiou kélé maa
With the knowledge Ali has given us
Diomoum niarra dokko Santhiou kélémaa
We can make a difference
Ndeen pendaa yooy miniaaam santhiou kélémaaa
So let's all come together and work towards a better future
Heeheeee haaa haaa ilaylayleeee haa haaa
Let the music fill our hearts
Hiiii hiiii
And carry us towards the light
Haaaaa haaaaa, ilaylayleeee
Guided by Ali's wisdom
Haaaa haaaaa
We will find our way
Hiii hiiiii haaaa haaaa, ilaylayleee haaa haaa
Through the rhythm of the drums
Hiii hiiii, haaa haaaan
And the power of the music
Ilaylayleeee haaaa haaaaan...
We will walk towards a better tomorrow
Writer(s): BAABA MAAL
Contributed by Lauren Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@p-nc7045
Juste magnifique. On est happé, attrapé, enlacé par une mélodie vraie. Le rythme de la vie. M'en lasserai jamais. MERCI.
@Douma7540
Je ne me lasserai jamais d'écouter cette grande voix. C'est tout simplement sublime
@barrymediateur2030
J'écoute le son depuis Djalabad en Afghanistan dans le quartier bilaton.
Merci pour le partage ✋
@user-ry8ew2ee6r
Commiting sin
@mamydiagne863
Qui est la en 2020 😍😘🇺🇸🇸🇳
@aliyoudiop8709
HAPPY TO THIS GUY
@AbouDiallo-yo8ih
❤❤😊😊
@abouthiam3922
Baba maal u are the best of words 2018👏👌
@cheikhantadiop5702
J aime cette musique
@souleymaneaw8413
Ndeysane mimijima doumnga bosoya