It begins with a Swahili wise man (young Kenyan rapper Kiiru Wa Ngotho of Rafiqi) retelling the sayings passed down through the generations.
A sparse acoustic guitar/bass (both duties cleanly handled by Claude Tshibasu) accompanies Christi as she sings and echoes back to the American folk movement when songs of importance and protest were usually presented with just a simple guitar and vocal. Her vocal flows along like a leaf on a gentle stream; until the end when she begins to lightly scat, and the voice of the "wise elder" returns.
Upon close scrutiny, the lyrics reveal the immense pride for her homeland and ancestors. They tell the parable of the bird having to one day leave the safeness of his nest and the moral lesson that all persons share that need for security, but each must in time walk on their own two feet. I fell in love with these lyrics when I first read them, even before they had any music. But, her vocals add a texture that makes this song special. Her soul speaks volumes through her voice, and touches the listener in a way that is hard to describe with words. Christi has this ability to paint vivid pictures with her wordplay that is exceptional. As Carlos Santana said "All music is important if it comes from the heart", and this is very important music.
Randall Parish - New Era 2008
In Swahili
Christi Warner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In Swahili there?s a saying that the word is broken English
In Swahili there?s a saying every key has a lock
In Swahili there?s a saying the world is small it?s just a ship
If you don?t do it you won?t gain
It?s your dreams conquer them
They say true words are never beautiful, but listen
Verse One:
Come on out little bird
Don?t hold back, face your fears
I understand your predicament but
The nest is small it?s not the world
Spread your wings ?cause they?re meant to fly
Shine; ask the star what?s her secret
Dine; for this world has many flavours
You?ll be fine you?re so much stronger than a porcupine
Believe; so say the word of God
Chorus:
Verse Two:
Fly away little bird
Don?t come home until you?re strong
Find me a leaf on top of Kilimandjaro
No more sorrow for what?s over
Long gone are the days when you thought
You won?t see the clear blue sky
All it took was to turn the key
And there you are?
Standing braver than Jumbo the elephant
Like a child of the universe
Like an Angel on a swing
Bringing promises of sunshine ? ooh ? like a weatherman
Chorus Till Fade
Written by: Christi Warner (2008) © Afrochica Entertainment
The song "In Swahili" by Christi Warner is a motivational and uplifting piece that encourages listeners to face their fears and pursue their dreams. The lyrics incorporate several Swahili proverbs and phrases to convey the message that true success comes from within and that one needs to take action to achieve their goals.
In the chorus, the Swahili sayings "the word is broken English," "every key has a lock," and "the world is small it's just a ship" are used to reinforce the idea that language can be a barrier to understanding oneself and others, but that by finding their purpose (the key) and taking action (sailing the ship), one can overcome any limitations.
The first verse speaks to the importance of taking risks and stepping out of one's comfort zone. Comparing a bird in a nest to an individual in their current situation, the lyrics encourage the listener to "spread your wings" and explore their potential. The verse's message is further reinforced by the Swahili proverbs "ask the star what's her secret" and "this world has many flavours," emphasizing the need to seek guidance from others and to embrace the diversity of life experiences.
The second verse encourages listeners to persevere despite setbacks and challenges along the way. The lyrics compare the journey to climbing a mountain ("Kilimandjaro") and suggest that the reward for reaching the top is worth the effort. The Swahili proverb "long gone are the days when you thought you won't see the clear blue sky" emphasizes the idea that happiness and success are attainable if one perseveres through adversity.
Overall, the lyrics to "In Swahili" suggest that success and fulfillment come from taking action, embracing challenges, and seeking guidance from others. By using Swahili proverbs and phrases, the song conveys a universal message that resonates with listeners regardless of their cultural background or language.
Line by Line Meaning
In Swahili there's a saying that the word is broken English
The Swahili proverb suggests that language is not perfect and might be difficult for some people to understand.
In Swahili there's a saying every key has a lock
Swahili people believe that every situation has a solution if you can find the right approach that fits it.
In Swahili there's a saying the world is small it's just a ship
According to a Swahili saying, the world is small, just like a ship that can be explored, and people should not be afraid to explore it to achieve their dreams.
If you don't do it you won't gain
Success requires action and taking risks, and not doing anything will lead to failure.
It's your dreams conquer them
Your dreams are waiting for you to achieve them by taking action and conquering your fears.
They say true words are never beautiful, but listen
People believe that truthful words might not be pleasant to hear, but it's essential to listen to them and learn from them.
Come on out little bird
It's time to break out of your comfort zone and take a risk to chase your dreams.
Don't hold back, face your fears
It's not easy to face your fears, but it's necessary to achieve success and overcome obstacles.
I understand your predicament but
I know that you are facing a difficult situation, but don't let it hold you back from chasing your dreams.
The nest is small it's not the world
Your comfort zone might feel safe and secure, but it's limiting and small compared to the world of opportunities available to you.
Spread your wings 'cause they're meant to fly
You have the ability to soar and achieve great things, so don't limit yourself.
Shine; ask the star what's her secret
Just like stars shine in the sky, you should shine and ask successful people about the secret to their success.
Dine; for this world has many flavours
The world has many opportunities and experiences to offer, so explore and enjoy them.
You'll be fine you're so much stronger than a porcupine
You are stronger than you realize, so don't let obstacles hinder your progress.
Believe; so say the word of God
Believe in yourself and seek guidance from God to achieve your dreams.
Fly away little bird
Fly away and chase your dreams until you achieve them.
Don't come home until you're strong
Don't give up until you achieve your goals and become a stronger and better version of yourself.
Find me a leaf on top of Kilimandjaro
Even a difficult task like finding a leaf on Kilimanjaro is achievable if you are determined and persistent.
No more sorrow for what's over
Don't let past failures hold you back from achieving your dreams in the present and future.
Long gone are the days when you thought
The past is over, and your mindset has changed since then.
You won't see the clear blue sky
The future might seem uncertain and obscured, but you should keep moving forward to achieve your dreams.
All it took was to turn the key
Finding the right approach and solution can unlock opportunities and lead to success.
And there you are? Standing braver than Jumbo the elephant
You have overcome your fears and achieved success, and you are now bold and confident in yourself.
Like a child of the universe
You are limitless and have the potential to achieve anything you desire, like a child of the universe.
Like an angel on a swing
You are graceful and free like an angel on a swing, and your journey to success is beautiful.
Bringing promises of sunshine - ooh - like a weatherman
You are spreading positivity and hope like a weatherman forecasting sunny days, and your success will bring light into the world around you.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Christi Warner
Another one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mg_mKfIFdD4