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

Beni-yo
Emeline Michel Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Moun sa yo mete vi yo an danje
pou la pè pou yon jou sa ka chanje
elø mèm atø non yo'n pa sonjeeee
lespwa donnen
pou sa yo konviksyon yo ekzile
ki kanpe king nan tout koze mele
sa yo ki mete lonè kanpe
beni yo beni

beni yoooo
papa
ooooo
beni yooo
(2 fwa)

papa beni yooo

pou moun sa yo nou bliye remèsye
ki toujou mete tèt yo an dènye
sa yo ki demake demagoji
ki reyaji
nou pa rete kaye pou aliyen
sa yo ki tonbe pou lapè leve
nan mitan plon gaye
malè pandye
pou lavi nou chanje

beni yooo
ooo
papa
beni yooo
(2 fwa)

Souple fø'w beni yo

beni moun ki pa pè pale
papa fø'w beni yo
moun ki pa pè brave danje
fø'w beni
wa beni fanmi moun sa yo
beni yo
ki tonbe pou laverite
papa beni yooo

beni yoooo
papa
oooo
beni yo

papa beni yooo

Overall Meaning

The opening line of Emeline Michel's song "Beni-yo" speaks of the struggles that the people of the Americas have faced for a long time. The lyrics mention several historical figures who fought for freedom, including Toussaint Louverture, the leader of the Haitian Revolution, Delcrès, a slave revolt leader in Guadeloupe, and Makandal, a famous Maroon leader in Haiti. However, despite their efforts, many of these fighters perished in their fight for freedom. But the song speaks to the resilience of the people, and how they continue to rise up and fight for their rights. The voice of Bob Marley, the fists of Mohamed Ali, and the glory of the Haitian king Christophe are all mentioned as sources of inspiration that help people rise up.

The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "beni yo" several times. "Beni" translates to "blessed," so the lyrics are calling for a blessing for those who are in danger or struggling. The song speaks to giving gratitude to those who are always fighting for their rights and who may not always receive recognition. Emeline Michel uses language in this song that is evocative of Haitian history and culture, and the meaning of the lyrics is infused with a sense of passion and pride.

Line by Line Meaning

Depuis longtemps nous luttons sur le front des amériques et nous tombons comme Toussaint Louverture Delcrès, Makandal mais nous nous relevons avec la voix de Bob Marley aves poings de Mohamed Ali et avec la gloire du roi christophe
For a long time, we have been struggling on the front lines of the Americas, and we fall just like Toussaint Louverture, Delcrès, and Makandal. Nevertheless, we rise up, inspired by the voices of Bob Marley, empowered by the fists of Mohamed Ali and the legendary reign of King Christophe.

Moun sa yo mete vi yo an danje pou la pè pou yon jou sa ka chanje elø mèm atø non yo'n pa sonjeeee lespwa donnen pou sa yo konviksyon yo ekzile ki kanpe king nan tout koze mele sa yo ki mete lonè kanpe beni yo beni
These people put their lives in danger, hoping that one day things will change for the better. Despite facing exile and being forgotten, they hold firmly to their convictions. They are the ones who stand up for justice, and they deserve to be blessed.

beni yoooo papa ooooo beni yooo (2 fwa) papa beni yooo
Bless them, Lord, bless them. (2 times) Father, bless them.

pou moun sa yo nou bliye remèsye ki toujou mete tèt yo an dènye sa yo ki demake demagoji ki reyaji nou pa rete kaye pou aliyen sa yo ki tonbe pou lapè leve nan mitan plon gaye malè pandye pou lavi nou chanje
Let us not forget to thank those who always put themselves last, those who expose demagoguery and react to injustice, those who do not stay silent in the face of oppression, those who fight for peace amidst chaos, those who withstand suffering for the sake of changing our lives.

Souple fø'w beni yo beni moun ki pa pè pale papa fø'w beni yo moun ki pa pè brave danje fø'w beni wa beni fanmi moun sa yo beni yo ki tonbe pou laverite papa beni yooo
Please bless them. Bless those who are not afraid to speak out, bless those who are not afraid to face danger, bless those who are true to their families, bless those who fall for the truth. Father, bless them.

beni yoooo papa oooo beni yo papa beni yooo
Bless them, Lord, bless them. Father, bless them.

Contributed by Elliot L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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