Pata Pata
Coumba Gawlo Lyrics
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sat wuguga sat ju benga sat si pata (pata pata)
Hihi ha mama, hi-a-ma sat si pata (pata pata)
hihi ha mama, hi-a-ma sat si pa (pata pata)
a-hihi ha mama, hi-a-ma sat si pata pat (pata pata)
a-hihi ha mama, hi-a-ma sat si pat (pata pata)
Aya sat wuguga sat ju benga sat si pata (pata pata)
a sat wuguga sat ju benga sat si pat (pata pata)
Pata Pata is the name of a dance
we do down Johannesburg way
and everybody starts to move
as soon as pata pata starts to play, hoo
Aya sat wuguga sat ju benga sat si pata (pata pata)
a sat wuguga sat ju benga sat si pat (pata pata)
a sat wuguga sat ju benga sat si pata (pata pata) (2x)
Hihi ha mama, hi-a-ma sat si pata (pata pata) (2x)
a-hihi ha mama, hi-a-ma sat si pata pat (pata pata)
a-hihi ha mama, hi-a-ma sat si pat (pata pata)
Haji-a sat wuguga sat ju benga sat si pata (pata pata)
a sat wuguga sat ju benga jo-ho (pata pata)
a sat wuguga sat ju benga sat si pata pat (pata pata)
a sat wuguga sat ju benga sat si (pata pata)
Hoo, every friday and saturday night
it´s pata pata-time
the dance keeps going all night long
til the morning sun begins to shine,
hey aya sat wuguga sat, wo-ho-o (pata pata)
Aya sat wuguga sat ju benga sat si pata (pata pata)
a sat wuguga sat ju benga sat si pat (pata pata)
a sat wuguga sat ju benga sat si pata (pata pata) (2x)
Hihi ha mama, hi-a-ma sat si pata (pata pata) (2x)
a-hihi ha mama, hi-a-ma sat si pata pat (pata pata)
a-hihi ha mama, hi-a-ma sat si pat (pata pata)
Huh – a sat wuguga sat – hit it! (pata pata)
aah – sat wuguga sat – aim not si – hit it (pata pata)
a sat wuguga sat ju benga sat si pata (pata pata) ….
The lyrics to Coumba Gawlo's song Pata Pata describe the dance and celebration of the same name. The song begins with a phrase repeated multiple times, "Sat wuguga sat ju benga sat si pata pat (pata pata)," which appears to be an incantation intended to conjure the dance. The following lines suggest that the dance is popular in Johannesburg and that it has a significant cultural impact, as "everybody starts to move" as soon as it begins to play. This idea is reinforced later in the song when the lyrics state that "every Friday and Saturday night, it's pata pata-time," adding to the impression that the dance is an essential part of the community's social life and identity.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become more repetitive and simpler, focusing on the exclamatory "Hihi ha mama, hi-a-ma sat si pata (pata pata)" and the call-and-response exhortation "sat wuguga sat ju benga sat" before trailing off into enthusiastic whoops and cheers. This lack of complex, narrative structure suggests that the song is meant more as a celebration of Pata Pata than as a deeply introspective or metaphorical work.
Line by Line Meaning
Sat wuguga sat ju benga sat si pata pat (pata pata) (3x)
The phrase is repeated thrice, emphasizing the name of the dance, 'Pata Pata'.
sat wuguga sat ju benga sat si pata (pata pata)
The name of the dance, yet again, being emphasized.
Hihi ha mama, hi-a-ma sat si pata (pata pata)
The phrase means that people begin to get excited and move as the Pata Pata music starts to play, especially women.
hihi ha mama, hi-a-ma sat si pa (pata pata)
The phrase is a variation of the former line, but 'pa' replaces 'pata', which is used as slang to connect with the youth.
a-hihi ha mama, hi-a-ma sat si pata pat (pata pata)
The phrase emphasizes the dance moves that people do when the Pata Pata music starts to play.
a-hihi ha mama, hi-a-ma sat si pat (pata pata)
The phrase is another variation of the former line, replacing 'pata pata' with 'pat'.
Aya sat wuguga sat ju benga sat si pata (pata pata)
The dance name being repeated again.
a sat wuguga sat ju benga sat si pat (pata pata)
Another variation of the dance name, ending with 'pat'.
Pata Pata is the name of a dance
we do down Johannesburg way
and everybody starts to move
as soon as pata pata starts to play, hoo
The stanza elaborates on the origin of the dance form, which hails from Johannesburg, and how it spices up things wherever it gets played.
Hihi ha mama, hi-a-ma sat si pata (pata pata) (2x)
The womenfolk start to get excited and groove as soon as the Pata Pata music starts playing.
a-hihi ha mama, hi-a-ma sat si pata pat (pata pata)
The phrase highlights the zeal in which people dance when the Pata Pata music plays.
a-hihi ha mama, hi-a-ma sat si pat (pata pata)
A varied line from the preceding one, with 'pata' being replaced with 'pat'.
Haji-a sat wuguga sat ju benga sat si pata (pata pata)
The thing that brings people together - the dance - is referred to yet again.
a sat wuguga sat ju benga jo-ho (pata pata)
A variation of the dance name with 'jo-ho' replacing 'si'.
a sat wuguga sat ju benga sat si pata pat (pata pata)
The recurring phrase accentuates the moves people make while dancing to Pata Pata.
a sat wuguga sat ju benga sat si (pata pata)
A variation of the dance name with the dance move being emphasized.
Hoo, every friday and saturday night
it´s pata pata-time
the dance keeps going all night long
til the morning sun begins to shine,
hey aya sat wuguga sat, wo-ho-o (pata pata)
The dance form brings people together on Friday & Saturday nights, which continues until the morning daylight breaks.
Huh – a sat wuguga sat – hit it! (pata pata)
aah – sat wuguga sat – aim not si – hit it (pata pata)
a sat wuguga sat ju benga sat si pata (pata pata)
The ending phrases encourage the continuation of the dance groove, connected with and grounded in the roots of Pata Pata.
Writer(s): Jerry Ragovoy, Miriam Makeba Copyright: Budde Songs Inc.
Contributed by William F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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@wkeifbfkzjw8zbd32
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@jessicasuarez8050
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@Daryuchi_Tv
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