Amazon.com's Editorial Emelin Michel:
" Here on Rasin Kreyol (which tran… Read Full Bio ↴Amazon.com's Editorial Emelin Michel:
" Here on Rasin Kreyol (which translates as "Creole Roots"), reigning queen of Haitian song Emeline Michel covers a lot of ground, writing songs that draw upon Haitan compas, twoubadou and rara as well as jazz, rock, pop, bossa nova and samba. Whichever direction the singer goes, her voice is clear and forceful as she dramatically imparts her political lyrics in Haitian Creole and French, offering up messages about AIDS, social justice and peace. She does this skill and class: Michel repeats the line "Tell me, where is peace?" to chilling effect on "Mon Rêve," where she's joined by background singers, flute and voodoo hand drums. At the other end of the spectrum, "Ban'm La Jwa" is uplifting with its driving calypso-jazz grooves. While the singer has released a handful of albums as imports over a 15-year career, Rasin Kreyol, her Times Square records debut, is a standout that should help U.S. audiences catch up with the French speaking world that already adores her. "
-- Tad Hendrickson

Ayiti peyi soley
Emeline Michel Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ayiti peyi solèy
ayiti bèl mèvèy
ayiti ou pèdi fèy
ayiti kè'w an dèy

Ayiti asyèt fayans
ou kwè'w g'on chans
pou medizan malpalan

bouke pase'w nan rans

tout pitit te mete men
pou dechouke sendenden
on sèl pap janmè parèt
pou mete'w kanpe tèt drèt
zwezo bliye chante
solèy ou bouke klere
bèl flè ou pèdi lodè
men'm syèl ou chanje koulè

Ayiti asyèt fayans
di'm
ou kwè'w g'on chans

pou tout je pete wè klè
pou tout chat ak chen vin frè
pou tout kè lanfè vinn dou
pou lavi tanmen g'on gou

Ayiti peyi solèy
ayiti se pa pye bwa
se pa tè lanmè ni syèl
ke nou kon'n rele peyi
ke nou kon'n rele patri

Ayiti se mwen
ayiti se ou
ayiti se zøt
se nou tout ki vle travay
ak tout lanmou ak tout kouray
pou fè flè
leve kote k'gen vè
Ayiti peyi solèy
Ayiti bèl mèvèy
ayiti ou pèdi fèy
ayiti kè'w an dèy

ayiti
asyèt fayans
di'm ou kwè'w g'on chans
pou medizan malpalan
bouke pase'w nan rans
ayiti asyèt fayans
ayiti
ou kwè'w g'on chans
ou kwè'w
g'on chans
ayitiiiiiiii

Overall Meaning

The song "Ayiti Peyi Soley" is a beautiful tribute to Haiti and its people. The first verse speaks of the country as a land of sunlight, of beauty, and of lost leaves. The second verse continues by speaking of Haiti as a place of promise, a land of opportunity for those who wish to help those in need. The third verse is a call to action for all people, for animals, and for the gods to come together and make life better.

The song speaks to Haiti's rich history and culture, but also highlights the struggles and hardships that the nation has faced over the years. The lyrics reference the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti in 2010 and the ongoing challenges that the country faces, such as poverty and political instability. However, the song also speaks to the resilience, spirit, and hope of the Haitian people in the face of these challenges.

Line by Line Meaning

Ayiti peyi solèy
Haiti, the land of sunshine

ayiti bèl mèvèy
Haiti, a beautiful paradise

ayiti ou pèdi fèy
Haiti, you have lost your leaves

ayiti kè'w an dèy
Haiti, your heart is heavy

Ayiti asyèt fayans
Haiti, a land of potential

ou kwè'w g'on chans
Do you believe you have a chance?

pou medizan malpalan
For the sick and the suffering

bouke pase'w nan rans
And you are tired of living in poverty?

tout pitit te mete men
Every child has a hand

pou dechouke sendenden
To uproot the weeds

on sèl pap janmè parèt
One alone can never appear