Daniel Owino Misiani (1940-2006).

Popularly known as DO Misiani, he … Read Full Bio ↴Daniel Owino Misiani (1940-2006).

Popularly known as DO Misiani, he can be truly regarded as the father of benga music which is a fusion of traditional Luo harp ( nyatiti) beats and some modern rumba inputs. Misiani was born in Shirati, Northern Tanzania, on 22 February 1940. This factor was to later play a role in his political as well as artistic life, as he was severally denied Kenyan citizenship by the Moi regime because of his, (Misiani’s) apparent political lyrics which were deemed anti-Moi. Misiani moved to Kenya and was educated at Bungoma High School in Western Kenya. In 1965 he formed and started his music career with Victoria Boys band which later became known as Shirati Jazz.
Shirati Jazz was to rule the Kenyan music scene and the larger eastern Africa for over four decades. Misiani sang about love, politics, social issues and religion. One of his most famous songs bwana won telo (Mr President), which was about Idi Amin Dada during the dictator’s reign of terror in Uganda. Misiani prophesied to the dictator to look at the fates of the Pharaoh’s or even Haile Selassie and know that even his reign of terror will come to an end.
Misiani was also famous and played a pivotal role in Kenya’s so called second liberation. He sang in praise of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, and later Raila Odinga. Misiani, together with Dr Colela Mazee were the undisputed giants of Luo Benga music. His music was controversial because the lyrics were didactic and could be construed by different parties as critical. He was detained in Kenya severally for his political lyrics. His song Jokabim and Jokale (the baboons and Animals) was a critical appraisal of the failure and betrayal of the Kenyan people’s will by the Kibaki regime. Misiani died in a tragic road accident near Kisumu (his adopted city) on 17 May 2006, thus bringing to an end the life of one of the giants of African music, but his legacy still lives with us and his teaching continues to inspire millions.

Jaa
D.O. Misiani Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

खाली घर की दीवारों पे शीशे की तस्वीरें हैं
मैं ये तोड़ के रख दूंगा ये यादों की जंजीरें हैं

जा जा जा मुझे न अब याद आ
जा जा जा मुझे न अब याद आ
मुझे भूल जाने दे जाने दे
जा जा जा मुझे न अब याद आ

आ आ आ
मेरे लबों पे ये कहानी क्यों रहे
मेरे लबों पे ये कहानी क्यों रहे
तू न रही तेरी निशानी क्यों रहे
ये जवानी क्यों रहे ज़िंदगानी क्यों रहे
जा जा जा मुझे न अब याद आ
मुझे भूल जाने दे जाने दे
जा जा जा मुझे न अब याद आ

उजड़ा महल ये वीरानों की तरह
उजड़ा महल ये वीरानों की तरह
इसमें फिरूं मैं दीवानों की तरह
अनजानों की तरह बेगानों की तरह
जा जा जा मुझे न अब याद आ

मुझे भूल जाने दे जाने दे
जा जा जा

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to D.O. Misiani's song "Jaa" seem to be a plea to someone not to go away. The repetition of "na jaa jane jaa," which translates to "don't go, my love," emphasizes the point of the song. The singer is asking the person to stay with him and not to leave him alone. The lyrics continue to express the singer's fear of losing the person, as he sings, "let me go, I won't find you, nor will you find me."

The song then takes a turn as the singer addresses the person's stubbornness and chaotic behavior, saying "where are you going, scattering, breaking down?" However, despite this behavior, the singer seems to find it endearing, as he notes that "this madness of yours is something new." In the end, the singer concludes with the plea for the person not to leave him, expressing his fear of being alone.

Overall, the lyrics of "Jaa" express the fear and desperation of holding onto someone who may be slipping away, while also acknowledging their unique and at times chaotic behavior.

Line by Line Meaning

ना जा जाने जा ना जा ना जा जाने जा
Don't go, don't leave, don't let go

जाने जा ना जा ना जा ना जा जाने जा
If you must go, still don't leave, don't let go

ओह आ ना जा जा ओये
Oh, come back, come back, oh yes

हो कहा तू चली हैं तू चली है कहा
Where did you go, where did you say you went

मैं तो यहा हूँ, मैं तो हूँ यहा
I am still here, I am right here

जा रे नडा जा जा रे जा नादान
Go away, you ignorant person, go away

नडा जा रे जा, जा रे नडा नडा
Leave, go away, you foolish one

हो छ्चोड़ मुझे जाने दे, जाने दे मुझे
Let me go, let me leave

तुझे ना मिलूंगी, ना मिलूंगी तुझे
I won't miss you, you won't miss me

कहा जा रही हैं तू अकड़ती हुई
Where are you going, with such arrogance

उलाजती बिखरती बिगड़ती हुई
Fumbling, scattering, messing things up