" 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
Mwen Pa Ka Lage'w
Emeline Michel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
M tonbe chèche nan tout kwen
On moun pou m pale
Se kounya m reyalize
Ou kite m tout bon vre
Lè yo kritike m ou defann mwen
Lè yo jete m ou ranmase m'Sim pat ka konprann sa
Se nòmal pou m peye sa
Rele tout kote konn kibò w ye
Fanmiw fache yo rakwoche
Se kounya m realize
Ou kite m tout bon vre
Lè yo meprize m ou sou bò mwen
Lè mwen malad ou okipe m
Si ou ale se mwen k lakòz
Reyalite-a frape
M'ap mande padon... Padon
Pou sa mwen fè
Reyalite-a frape
M'ap ofri milyon... Milyon
The lyrics of Emeline Michel's song "Mwen Pa Ka Lage'w" depict a personal journey of self-realization and resilience in the face of criticism and adversity.
In the first verse, the singer reflects on their daily routine, expressing a sense of aimlessness and confusion as they search for direction and someone to talk to. They acknowledge the fact that they have fully relied on someone who has ultimately let them down, leaving them feeling completely abandoned.
The second verse reveals the singer's response to the criticism they face. They defend themselves when others attack them and pick them up when they are cast aside. They convey a sense of acceptance that not everyone can understand their experiences and actions, but it is only normal to face the consequences and pay for their choices.
The chorus highlights a turning point in the singer's life, a moment of realization. They instruct the listener to call out to everywhere they know, to gather their angry family who had previously distanced themselves. In this moment, the singer understands that the one who left them was the catalyst for them becoming their true selves. They express gratitude towards the person who cared for them when they were despised and took care of them when they were sick. The singer makes it clear that if that person were to leave, they themselves would be the cause.
The chorus repeats itself, emphasizing the impact of reality's harshness. The singer acknowledges their wrongdoing and asks for forgiveness for their actions. They are willing to offer millions to make up for their mistakes, indicating the extent of their remorse and desire to make amends.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of personal growth and resilience as the singer navigates through difficult experiences, recognizing their own faults and seeking forgiveness while understanding the impact of their actions on others. The song encourages self-reflection and the importance of accepting and learning from one's mistakes.
Line by Line Meaning
Maten an m leve
In the morning, I wake up
M tonbe chèche nan tout kwen
I search everywhere
On moun pou m pale
Someone to talk to
Se kounya m reyalize
Now I realize
Ou kite m tout bon vre
You left me for good
Lè yo kritike m ou defann mwen
When they criticize me, you defend me
Lè yo jete m ou ranmase m
When they reject me, you pick me up
Sim pat ka konprann sa
Even if I couldn't understand that
Se nòmal pou m peye sa
It's normal for me to pay for that
Rele tout kote konn kibò w ye
Call everywhere you know
Fanmiw fache yo rakwoche
Your angry family embraces you
Se kounya m realize
Now I realize
Ou kite m tout bon vre
You left me for good
Lè yo meprize m ou sou bò mwen
When they despise me, you're by my side
Lè mwen malad ou okipe m
When I'm sick, you take care of me
Si ou ale se mwen k lakòz
If you leave, it's my fault
Reyalite-a frape
Reality hits
M'ap mande padon... Padon
I'm asking for forgiveness... Forgiveness
Pou sa mwen fè
For what I've done
Reyalite-a frape
Reality hits
M'ap ofri milyon... Milyon
I'm offering millions... Millions
Contributed by Ellie T. 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 .........