" 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
Pé Leténél
Emeline Michel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Anpil prezidan avi vivi ti sousou fin sousew,
Rayisman move santiman fèn manje men k ba nou manje,
Sak rive moun yo la? mpa rekonèt Ispanyola!
Santodomingo bingo wa diw leve nan premye lo.
A kotew nou tout nan dlo, boye tounen ti jwèt yoyo.
Ayiti Toma pèdi wout, wa di n te chwazi move bout.
Men anpil chay la pi lou msanti kèm lou msantim jalou.
Diwo di syèl wa voye jew, vòlò fin ak peyi mwen,
Fó dwe retew grenn solisyon Fó sove la sitiyasyon,
"Ayez Pitié" Bon Bèje!
Manvi viv nan peyi mwen.
Siw konnen janm gen lapenn lè m mwè tout moun diw gen devenn.
Yon pa kita yon pa nago ladwòg mechanste a GoGo.
Yon lòt syèk ap kouri dèyè n, move je te tounen priyè n.
Ayiti manman cheri men nou chita wèw ap peri.
Pè letenel o bon bèje pwoteje lavi mwen.
Diwo di syèl wa voye jew vòlò yo pran peyi mwen.
Fo dwe rete yon grenn solisyon fo sove
La sitiyasyon." Ayez pitié" o bon bèje!!.
Mwen renmen peyi mwen (×2)
Wa pwotoje! Pwoteje lavi mwen.
Gad volo! Volo fin ak peyi mwen.
Fo dwe rete yon grenn solisyon fow sove la
Sitiyasyon, "Ayez pitié" o bon beje! Mwen renmen peyi mwen.
Pè letenel!! pèletenèl pwoteje lavi mwen.
Diwo di syèl wa voye jew vòlò yo pran peyi mwen.
Fò dwe retew grenn solisyon,
Fòw sove la sitiyasyon" Ayez pitié "o bon beje...
The lyrics to Emeline Michel's song "Pé Leténél" are a plea for protection and salvation for Haiti, reflecting the struggles and hardships the nation has faced throughout its history. The song opens with a scene of unrest and uncertainty, as the singer questions the presence of foreign powers and laments the current state of affairs. The line "Sak rive moun yo la? mpa rekonèt Ispanyola!" ("Who are these people here? I don't recognize Spain!") highlights the confusion and disorientation felt by the Haitian people in the face of colonization and political turmoil.
As the song progresses, the singer invokes the power of God and asks for divine intervention to save Haiti from its troubles. The repeated refrain of "Pè letenèl o bon bèje pwoteje lavi mwen" ("Eternal Father, oh good shepherd, protect my life") reinforces the importance of faith and spirituality in Haitian culture, and the belief that only through divine intervention can the nation be saved. The final lines of the song, "Fo dwe rete yon grenn solisyon fo sove la sitiyasyon, 'Ayez pitié' o bon beje!" ("We must find a solution to save the situation, 'Have mercy' oh good shepherd!") emphasize the urgency and necessity of finding a way forward for Haiti.
Overall, "Pé Leténél" is a powerful and emotional song that speaks to the deep love and attachment that Haitians feel for their country, as well as the ongoing struggles and challenges that they face. Through its calls for divine intervention and collective action, the song urges listeners to work together to create a better future for Haiti and its people.
Line by Line Meaning
Siw konnen janm gen lapenn lèm wew kouche sereng lan venn,
If you've ever had troubles when you lie down at night,
Anpil prezidan avi vivi ti sousou fin sousew,
Many presidents come to steal and leave you with nothing
Rayisman move santiman fèn manje men k ba nou manje,
Bad leaders have corrupted our feelings, they eat while we are left with scraps
Sak rive moun yo la? mpa rekonèt Ispanyola!
What has happened to our people? I no longer recognize it as Hispaniola!
Santodomingo bingo wa diw leve nan premye lo.
Santo Domingo is now a game of chance, where only a few can win.
A kotew nou tout nan dlo, boye tounen ti jwèt yoyo.
Where we are all in the water, drowning like a yo-yo toy.
Ayiti Toma pèdi wout, wa di n te chwazi move bout.
Haiti has lost its way, we chose the wrong path.
Men anpil chay la pi lou msanti kèm lou msantim jalou.
But the overwhelming burden is heavier than my own jealous heart.
Pè letenèl o bon bèje pwoteje lavi mwen,
Eternal Father, protect my life,
Diwo di syèl wa voye jew, vòlò fin ak peyi mwen,
The voice of heaven sends us an angel, to save my country.
Fó dwe retew grenn solisyon Fó sove la sitiyasyon,
We must find a solution to save our situation,
"Ayez Pitié" Bon Bèje!
"Have mercy" Good Shepherd!
Manvi viv nan peyi mwen.
I want to live in my country.
Siw konnen janm gen lapenn lè m mwè tout moun diw gen devenn.
If you've ever felt like everyone else has arrived, while you have not.
Yon pa kita yon pa nago ladwòg mechanste a GoGo.
Some wearing clothes, some naked, we are all struggling in the midst of chaos.
Yon lòt syèk ap kouri dèyè n, move je te tounen priyè n.
Another century is running after us, with their wicked eyes closing in on our prayers.
Ayiti manman cheri men nou chita wèw ap peri.
Haiti, dear mother, but we sit and watch you perish.
Wa pwotoje! Pwoteje lavi mwen.
Protect me! Protect my life.
Gad volo! Volo fin ak peyi mwen.
Beware of thieves who fly away with my country.
Fo dwe rete yon grenn solisyon fo sove la
We must remain a solution to save our situation,
Sitiyasyon, "Ayez pitié" o bon beje! Mwen renmen peyi mwen.
"Have mercy" Good Shepherd! I love my country.
Pè letenel!! pèletenèl pwoteje lavi mwen.
Eternal Father! Protect my life.
Diwo di syèl wa voye jew vòlò yo pran peyi mwen.
The voice of heaven sends us an angel, to save my country.
Fò dwe retew grenn solisyon,
We must find a solution to save our situation,
Fòw sove la sitiyasyon" Ayez pitié" o bon beje...
We must save our situation. "Have mercy" Good Shepherd...
Contributed by Brayden H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jonasjolivert1614
Tous les haitiens devraient apprendre par cœur cette chanson et la chanter tous les jours plusieurs fois
@HachleyM
Jonas Jolivert oui c’est vrai
@cyndieedmond5606
Vérité
@linottevictor6545
Verite
@babypretty3688
Oui c est une priere comme une mantra
@kesnyphilippe9454
Yes pawol lò
@jeannaiechery4351
Qui écoute passionnément cette chanson comme moi en 2019 au moment de cette crise fatidique que notre pays traverse ? 😥
@awadseide8243
Moi
@rosecloniejoseph2189
Llll
@reyel4638
En 2022