David Walters, is a French singer-songwriter, producer and DJ. Born in Pari… Read Full Bio ↴David Walters, is a French singer-songwriter, producer and DJ. Born in Paris, a grandson of West Indians from Saint-Kitts and Martinique, he is the co-founder of the Bordeaux collective known as Zimpala, but now lives in Marseille. His repertoire is a mix of electronic beats and acoustic folk, all with a strong Afro-Caribbean influence. He has worked as remixer for Dupain, Zuco 103 and for Gotan Project, and has also produced one of the songs of Brazilian singer Cibelle's first album.

It was in 2006 that David Walters released Awa, his first album on the Ya Basta label! with the single "Mesi bon dyé", an adaptation of a prayer written by the Haitian guitarist Frantz Casseus in 1954. Three years later, in 2009, he released Home, teaming up with artists as Asa or Arthur H.
In 2011, he was selected by Canal + to host the program "Les Nouveaux Explorateurs". From then on, we see him traveling to the four corners of the world, in Africa, in South America or in Asia to meet colorful characters who live by and for music. Influenced by these trips, David Walters produced the NeverStopExploring mixtape in 2015 before leaving, this time for New Orleans, to participate in the Nola Is Calling project which builds bridges between the city and its African roots.

He released Soleil Kréyol under the Heavenly Sweetness label on the 31th of December 2019 teaming up this time with Seun Kuti, Ibrahim Maalouf, Vincent Segal, Marine Thibault and Célia wa.

Mama
David Walters Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Mama told me
Before you go
Set yourself free
From your ego
Mama told me
Don′t hold back
Mama told me
No turning back

Ma Mama told me

Mama told me
Before you fall
For somebody
Don't loose control
Never hide
Who you are
Mama told me
No turning back

Ma Mama told me

Pa ladjé sa ou yé
Pa kité sa ou yé
Pas blié sa ou yé
Pa ladjé sa ou yé

Sa ou yé

Pa ladjé sa ou yé
Pa kité sa ou yé
Pa ladjé sa ou yé
Pas blié sa ou yé

Sa ou yé

(Kouri)

Pa jamais ′blié ki moun ou yé
Pa jamais 'blié ki moun ou yé

Kouri, mem si ou ka fè moun ri, kouri
Sé kouri ou ka kouri, kouri!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of David Walters's song Mama is an ode to a mother's guidance and the importance of being oneself. The opening lines, "Mama told me, before you go, set yourself free from your ego," suggest that the mother figure is advising the singer to let go of their pride and be honest with themselves. The subsequent lines continue in this vein, warning against losing control and reminding the singer to stay true to their authentic self.

The Caribbean Creole lyrics that follow, "Pa ladjé sa ou yé, pa kité sa ou yé, pas blié sa ou yé," can be translated to "Don't abandon who you are, don't forget who you are," further emphasizing the theme of self-discovery and acceptance. The repeated refrain of "Mama told me, no turning back" serves as a reminder to the singer to not second-guess their choices and to have confidence in their decisions.

Overall, the song is an uplifting reminder to be true to oneself and to listen to the guidance of those who have our best interests at heart.

Line by Line Meaning

Mama told me
My mother gave me advice

Before you go
Before you begin your journey in life

Set yourself free
Release yourself from the constraints that hold you back

From your ego
Especially from your sense of self-importance or self-centered thinking

Don′t hold back
Don't limit yourself or be afraid to go after what you want

No turning back
Once you start, keep moving forward and don't look back

Mama told me
My mother reminded me

Before you fall
Before you give your heart to someone

For somebody
In a romantic relationship

Don't lose control
Don't let your emotions take over

Never hide
Always be true to yourself

Who you are
Your personality and beliefs

Pa ladjé sa ou yé
Don't forget who you are (in Creole)

Pa kité sa ou yé
Don't abandon who you are (in Creole)

Pas blié sa ou yé
Remember who you are (in Creole)

Sa ou yé
Who you are (in Creole)

Kouri
Run

Pa jamais ′blié ki moun ou yé
Never forget who you are (in Creole)

Mem si ou ka fè moun ri, kouri
Even if you make people laugh, run (in Creole)

Sé kouri ou ka kouri, kouri!
It's your own race to run, keep running! (in Creole)

Writer(s): David Luke Philip Walters, Bruno Laurent Charles Hovart, Fabrice Theodose, Melun Viger

Contributed by Parker S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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