" 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
Ban'm la jwa
Emeline Michel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Beni m ak sa lajan paka achte.
Lafòs pou′m ret kanpe, pasyans pou'm jwenn sa ou sere pou mwen.
Tanpri Bondye, kore lafwa m, beni m ak kè poze.
Ban m la klèvwayans pou mwen kabre danje.
Tout sak gen pou rive, nan pla men w vin mwen trase.
Ban m labondans, grangou mwen wè ase.
Simen lapè lagè ap terase n,Limen chimen, souple sèvi avè m. A kote tout sa fò m mande w:
Ban m la jwa! Papa, Ban m lajwa!
Bondye, ratibwaze lanvi, la vanite
Depi g on lènmi k ap anpeche′m mache,
Ban mwen limilite pou lògèy pa limite m.
Tanpri Bondye, ban'm la konpasyon pou m bay avèk pasyon,
Pou m toujou sonje kòman grangou boule,
Lò gras ou tonbe pou m pa bliye separe.
Ban m labondans, grangou mwen wè ase.
Simen lapè lagè ap terase n,
Limen chimen, souple sèvi avè'm, A kote tout sa fò′m mande′w:
Ban'm lajwa! Ban′m lajwa!
Papa souple ban m lajwa! Tanpri, ban m lajwa!
Mwen di ban m, ban m, ban m, ban m, ban m lajwa
Ban mwen lajwa papa
Voye lajwa papa, voye lajwa
Anmwe m pap mache atè anmwe.
Mwen di m pap mâché atè
Lajwa konplèt, lajwa pou m pataje.
Lajwa pou m bay, lajwa de viv, lajwa de viv, lajwa de viv
The lyrics to Emeline Michel's Ban'm la jwa speak to a plea to God for help, for blessings, and for joy. The first verse talks about how the singer cannot carry the load on their own and asks God to bless them with the means to provide for themselves. The second verse seeks patience and guidance to navigate life's hardships. The singer asks God for clarity to face danger, for a path to follow, and for a way to overcome hunger. The bridge then asks for humility to avoid vanity and for God to help the singer handle their limitations with compassion and passion. Finally, the chorus asks for complete and shared joy, one that the singer can pass on to others.
The message of the song is one of hope, strength, and faith. It speaks to the human desire for joy, connection, and purpose, and the belief that God can provide for these needs. The song also highlights the importance of community and how joy is something that should be shared and spread to others. The lyrics are powerful and moving, reflecting the beauty and pain of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Bondye pa ban mwen chay ou konnen m paka pote,
God, don't burden me with things you know I cannot carry
Beni m ak sa lajan paka achte.
Bless me with what money cannot buy
Lafòs pou′m ret kanpe, pasyans pou'm jwenn sa ou sere pou mwen.
Strength to stand, patience to receive what you have in store for me
Tanpri Bondye, kore lafwa m, beni m ak kè poze.
Please God, strengthen my faith, bless me with a calm heart
Ban m la klèvwayans pou mwen kabre danje.
Give me clarity to overcome challenges
Tout sak gen pou rive, nan pla men w vin mwen trase.
All that will happen, I place in your hands
Ban m labondans, grangou mwen wè ase.
Give me abundance, my hunger has seen enough
Simen lapè lagè ap terase n,
Sow peace where wars are raging
Limen chimen, souple sèvi avè m. A kote tout sa fò m mande w:
Light my path and walk with me. Wherever I ask of you:
Ban m la jwa! Papa, Ban m lajwa!
Give me joy! Father, give me joy!
Bondye, ratibwaze lanvi, la vanite
God, wipe out lust and vanity
Depi g on lènmi k ap anpeche′m mache,
If there is an enemy blocking my path,
Ban mwen limilite pou lògèy pa limite m.
Give me humility so that pride does not limit me.
Tanpri Bondye, ban'm la konpasyon pou m bay avèk pasyon,
Please God, grant me compassion to give with passion,
Pou m toujou sonje kòman grangou boule,
So I always remember the hunger that burned
Lò gras ou tonbe pou m pa bliye separe.
So I don't forget to share when goodness falls on me
Mwen di ban m, ban m, ban m, ban m, ban m lajwa
I say give me, give me, give me, give me, give me joy
Ban mwen lajwa papa
Give me joy, father
Voye lajwa papa, voye lajwa
Send joy, father, send joy
Anmwe m pap mache atè anmwe.
Lift me up, I will not walk on the ground
Lajwa konplèt, lajwa pou m pataje.
Complete joy, joy to share
Lajwa pou m bay, lajwa de viv, lajwa de viv, lajwa de viv
Joy to give, joy of life, joy of life, joy of life
Writer(s): Emeline Michel
Contributed by Aiden D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jean Roosevelt Ostine
on Gade Papi
bonjou emeline michel mw pa konnen ki sa pou mw fe pou atis pam nan se yo nan moun mw fou poli ok mw prnte pou bay kem pouli wi .........