" 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
Fo M Ale
Emeline Michel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
je me fait un café très fort.
je dois finir mes valises.
un petit coup de fil à tante Denise.
demain au premier vol je toucherai le sol de mon petit pays.
kè mwen cho mwen paka rete .
pa mande m sa m pral chache.
anyen paka ranplase yon ti filing ki ranmase m toujou met dlo nan je m.
non ti papa m pap pran presyon.
se yon misyon se yon vizyon.
m pa negosyel m pa pasifye l lò pou m ale wi lò pou mantre lakay mwen. {pe pa pa pa pe pa pa pa da.
bèl mè pa manman m fò m al nan peyi an m} 2 fois.
ou fò m antre al wè moun lakay mwen al wè tout moun an m yo. {pe pa pa pa pe da pa pa da bèl mè pa manman m fò m al nan peyi an m} 2 fois
The song "Fo M Ale" by Emeline Michel is about leaving one's current location to return home. The opening lyrics "il y a la neige qui tombe dehors" (there's snow falling outside) sets the scene of someone preparing to depart from a place with a starkly different climate than their home. As they make a strong cup of coffee and finish packing their bags, they make a call to their aunt Denise, possibly to let her know of their imminent departure or to say goodbye. The singer then announces that they will touch down in their "petit pays" (little country) the next day and that their heart is warm and they cannot stay. They refuse to negotiate or compromise the decision to leave, declaring that this is a mission, a vision, and they will show their home when they leave and then return.
The lyrics are full of assurance, conviction, and determination to return home. The singer does not want to hear any objection to their decision, stating that nothing can replace the little feeling that gathers them and fills them with so much joy. They have no choice but to go, because not going would be settling in life. They mention that their father's pressure would not affect their decision to return and that they must also show their loved ones that they are not abandoning them, but rather fulfilling their own destiny. The song is a beautiful declaration of the love and loyalty that one feels towards their homeland and the desire to return no matter where life takes them.
Line by Line Meaning
il y a la neige qui tombe dehors.
There is snow falling outside.
je me fait un café très fort.
I make myself a very strong coffee.
je dois finir mes valises.
I have to finish packing my bags.
un petit coup de fil à tante Denise.
A quick call to Aunt Denise.
demain au premier vol je toucherai le sol de mon petit pays.
Tomorrow on the first flight, I will touch the ground of my small country.
kè mwen cho mwen paka rete .
My heart is hot, I can't stay.
pa mande m sa m pral chache.
Don't ask me what I'm looking for.
anyen paka ranplase yon ti filing ki ranmase m toujou met dlo nan je m.
Nothing can replace a little feeling that always brings tears to my eyes.
lò m prale nan peyi m lò m tounen ayiti.
When I go to my country, when I return to Haiti.
non ti papa m pap pran presyon.
No, my little father won't be under pressure.
se yon misyon se yon vizyon.
It is a mission, it is a vision.
m pa negosyel m pa pasifye l lò pou m ale wi lò pou mantre lakay mwen. {pe pa pa pa pe pa pa pa da.
I'm not negotiating, I'm not appeasing him. Yes, when I go and when I return to my home. {pe pa pa pa pe pa pa pa da.
bèl mè pa manman m fò m al nan peyi an m} 2 fois.
Beautiful mother, not my mother, I have to go to my country. {2 times.}
ou fò m antre al wè moun lakay mwen al wè tout moun an m yo. {pe pa pa pa pe da pa pa da bèl mè pa manman m fò m al nan peyi an m} 2 fois
You must come and see the people in my home, see all my people. {pe pa pa pa pe da pa pa da beautiful mother, not my mother, I have to go to my country.} {2 times}
Contributed by Emily R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@danie-krysbellerofon-alger8052
Très belle chanson.
Je suis de la Martinique. J'ai travaillé en Haïti, après la chute de Duvalier.
Je suis tombé fou amoureux de ce pays et, je suis toujours de très près son actualité (souvent, avec le cœur gros).
D'ailleurs, une des meilleures amies est une haïtienne vivant actuellement aux States.
Mon souhait le plus cher, est de voir un jour, ce pays relever la tête et, reprendre sa marche en-avant.
Pliss foss pour la première république noire au monde.
@judithperpeti5975
Merci❤❤❤❤ fière d'être Haïtienne
@DorahLeticiaROBENSON-wh9dl
Merci je suis Haïtienne
@BossBraid-b7w
Ayiti pam nan .mwen gen yon sèl wont,yon sèl regrè,Se wè pwòp ayisyen kap detwi frè sè yo,SE wè jenès lan pèdi e enkyetid mwen SE kisa timoun kap vini yo ap tire kòm leson nan tout sa?
@merlidy
Lapli ap tombe nan Florida, confinement, COVID-19.... tande music sa fè nostalgia Haiti anvayi’m. Mte ka anvi al Haiti wi men domaj ke last I went, Haiti mwen te kite an se pa li sa ankò. Tout bagay chanje complètement, menm lifestyle moun yo. Leu mwen tounen America mwen santi yon vide paske mpat satisfè de Haiti mwen sot wè an, mte nostalgic pi rèd. Mwen vinn realize ke gen temps nou pap janm ka reviv ankò, ni anpil bèl moments non plus. Souvenirs nou yo se nan pensées nou ak nan coeurs nou yap rete gravés à jamais. Therefore, leu map tande music classic sa yo kite marquées temps mwen, mwen just transporté tèt mwen, mind mwen nan le passé poum reviv bons moments kite associés ak music sa yo. Stay safe and blessed everyone.
@schellobazile109
Apre tan se yun lot . tan ale tan pap janm tunnen jodia se pou u demen se pou yun lòt
@mariesellecolin7042
Waw😭😭sa touchem lem wé jakmel fin ale knsa gade yon bel plaj nou te genyen bgy natirel jé'n yo pat knn fimen tt moun te lib anfin jacmel avan mankem kouran tt sa yo mankem lavi te bel dous tout timoun pat lekol men tout timoun te gen yon edikasyon desan
@juniorandreilfranc1671
Kiyès kap tande mizik sa nan 2019 lan....😊
@frantzalice9451
Mwen menm junior Frantz alix
@kassa1716
Moi