Clandestin
Fatoumata Diawara Lyrics


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N’ko sababu kè
Ko sababu kè he he ya
O sababu kèra
Nansaraw ye he he
Olu de wilila k’u bè taa tunkan na
K’olu bè taa wari nyini na tunkan na
Olu y’u wolonaw to u ka so
Olu y’u wolofaw to u ka so wa dòw b’a fò olu ma clandestin
Dòw ko olu ma tunkannadenw
Dèmè baga tè olu la u faso la wa, n’ko ne ko nyèmaaw a tè wili,
Ala Iye heyi

Chorus:
Olu bè san kelen fila saba naani duuru
Wòorò wolonfila segi kònòtòn ...
Olu bè san kelen fila saba naani duuru
Wòorò wolonfila segi kònòtòn ...
Tan tan tan tan tan tan

Hile hile hile hile hile hile ...

K’anw bè na k’anw tè na
K’anw bè na u ko k’an tè na
K’anw bè na k’anw tè na
K’anw bè na u ko k’an tè na

Chorus

Caman barasa caman barasa
Caman barasa ahan caman barasa

Aheyiii nyèmaaw yo
N’aw dun ma denmisènniw dèmè n’ko olu bè ka siran sa
Olu bè siranna malo nyè bè siranna saya nyè
U bè siranna janfa nyèU bè taal’u yèrèdi janfa ma
Tunkan taga ma dia olu la
N’ko sababu kè o sababu kèra ...
Caman barasa caman barasa
Caman barasa ahan caman barasa

Olu bè san kelen fila saba naani duuru
Wòorò wolonfila segi kònòtòn ...
Olu bè san kelen fila saba naani duuru
Wòorò wolonfila segi kònòtòn ...

---

[English]

The fault lies ...
The fault lies with Europeans
Our young people get up and decide to emigrate
To go on an adventure in search of money
They left their mothers at home
They left their fathers at home
Some call them Illegals
But we call them Men of Adventure
I ask our leaders, isn’t there someone to help them stay at home?

Chorus:
They count one, two, three, four, five,
Six, seven, eight, nine ...
They count one, two, three, four, five,
Six, seven, eight, nine ...
Up to ten years ...

Many perished. Many died x2

I’m calling out to our leaders
If you don’t help young people, they’ll get scared
They’re afraid of shame, they’re afraid of death
They’re afraid of betrayal
They’re leaving, and throwing themselves in the hands of betrayal
Their adventure ends badly
I say that the fault lies, the fault lies with ...

Many perished. Many died. x2





---

Overall Meaning

The song "Clandestin" by Fatoumata Diawara is a comment on the current state of immigration and emigration across borders. The lyrics reveal the struggles and sacrifices made by young people who have to leave their homes and families to search for a better life. The opening lyrics, "The fault lies...with Europeans," set the tone for the entire song, highlighting the role that developed countries play in this crisis. The young people who choose to emigrate are portrayed as brave adventurers, rather than illegal immigrants. The chorus reveals the brutal reality of their journey, as they count off the years of their lives that they have sacrificed in their search for a better future.


The lyrics are powerful and moving, and they are accompanied by a rhythmic melody that reinforces the emotions of the song. The overall message of the song is a plea to authorities and governments to provide better support and opportunities for young people in their home countries. It also highlights the need for more humane approaches to immigration policies, and an end to the inhumane treatment of immigrants and refugees.


Line by Line Meaning

The fault lies ...
The true reason for our young people emigrating is...


The fault lies with Europeans
The cause of our young people leaving is due to European influence...


Our young people get up and decide to emigrate
Our youth decide to leave for a better life...


To go on an adventure in search of money
They leave their homes to find financial security...


They left their mothers at home
Mothers are left behind...


They left their fathers at home
Fathers are left behind...


Some call them Illegals
They are referred to as illegal immigrants...


But we call them Men of Adventure
We call them brave explorers...


I ask our leaders, isn’t there someone to help them stay at home?
Why aren't there policies in place to keep them at home?


They count one, two, three, four, five, Six, seven, eight, nine ...
They count the numbers of the people lost or dead...


Up to ten years ...
The waiting and mourning could take up to a decade...


Many perished. Many died x2
Many lives were lost...


I’m calling out to our leaders
I'm reaching out to the decision-makers...


If you don’t help young people, they’ll get scared
Without assistance, the youth will be frightened...


They’re afraid of shame, they’re afraid of death
They fear the dangers of immigration...


They’re afraid of betrayal
They don't want to experience being betrayed...


They’re leaving, and throwing themselves in the hands of betrayal
They're taking a risk in the hopes of something better...


Their adventure ends badly
Their journey does not end well...


I say that the fault lies, the fault lies with ...
Ultimately, the main issue is caused by...




Writer(s): Fatoumata Diawara

Contributed by Emily K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@xyz_zyx_x

[English]
The fault lies ...
The fault lies with Europeans
Our young people get up and decide to emigrate
To go on an adventure in search of money
They left their mothers at home
They left their fathers at home
Some call them Illegals
But we call them Men of Adventure
I ask our leaders, isn’t there someone to help them stay at home?
Chorus:
They count one, two, three, four, five
Six, seven, eight, nine ...
They count one, two, three, four, five
Six, seven, eight, nine ...
Up to ten years ...
Many perished. Many died x2
I’m calling out to our leaders
If you don’t help young people, they’ll get scared
They’re afraid of shame, they’re afraid of death
They’re afraid of betrayal
They’re leaving, and throwing themselves in the hands of betrayal
Their adventure ends badly
I say that the fault lies, the fault lies with ...
Many perished. Many died. x2



@loyannasantana2296

A culpa está…
A culpa está…
A culpa está
com europeus
Nossos jovens se levantam e decidem emigrar
Para ir em uma aventura em busca de dinheiro
Eles deixaram suas mães em casa
Eles deixaram seus pais em casa
Alguns os chamam de "ilegais"
Mas nós os chamamos de Homens de Aventura
Peço aos nossos líderes, não há alguém
para ajudá-los a ficar em casa?
Ala iye heyi
 
Eles contam um, dois, três, quatro, cinco,
Seis, sete, oito, nove ... x2
Até dez anos ... dez dez dez dez
 
Queremos vir, mas eles não nos querem
Queremos vir, mas eles não nos aceitarão
 
Eles contam um, dois, três, quatro, cinco,
Seis, sete, oito, nove ... x2
Até dez anos ... dez dez dez dez
 
Muitos pereceram, muitos morreram
Muitos pereceram, muitos morreram x4
 
Estou chamando nossos líderes
Se você não ajudar os jovens, eles ficarão assustados
Eles têm medo da vergonha, têm medo da morte
Eles têm medo de traição
Eles estão saindo e se jogando nas mãos da traição, para que sua aventura termine mal
Eu digo que a falha está, a falha está com ...
(Muitos pereceram, muitos morreram
Muitos pereceram, muitos morreram)
 
Eles contam um, dois, três, quatro, cinco,
Seis, sete, oito, nove ... x2



@minneiroo

La culpa se tiende...

La culpa se tiende...

La culpa se tiende

junto a los europeos

Nuestra gente joven despierta y decide emigrar

Ir en una aventura en búsqueda de dinero

Dejan a sus madres en casa

Dejan a sus padres en casa

Algunos los llaman "ilegales"

Pero nosotros los llamamos Hombres de Aventura

Le pregunto a nuestros líderes, ¿No hay alguien ahí

para ayudarlos a quedarse en casa?

Ala iye heyi

 

Ellos cuentan uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco,

Seis, siete, ocho, nueve...x2

Hasta diez años... diez diez diez diez

 

Queremos venir, pero ellos no nos quieren

Queremos venir, pero ellos no nos aceptarán

 

Ellos cuentan uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco,

Seis, siete, ocho, nueve...x2

Hasta diez años... diez diez diez diez

 

Muchos perecieron, muchos murieron

Muchos perecieron, muchos murieron x4

 

Estoy llamando a nuestros líderes

Si ustedes no ayudan a nuestra gente, ellos se asustarán

Ellos tienen miedo a la vergüenza, tienen miendo a la muerte

Tienen miedo a la traición

Se están yendo, y lanzándose en las manos de la traición,

así su aventura termina mal

Digo que la culpa se tiende, la culpa se tiende con...

(Muchos perecieron, muchos murieron

Muchos perecieron, muchos murieron)

 

Ellos cuentan uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco,

Seis, siete, ocho, nueve...

https://lyricstranslate.com/pt-br/clandestin-illegals.html



All comments from YouTube:

@mcamara488

Africa is blessed with almost everything but good leaders. Great work Fatoumata🖤

@theragingjamaican1113

*political and military leaders. They’re amazing people in every other field, but politicians and generals turned warlords ruin it

@leebillyc1677

Don't think it is better in other countries. The corruption of other countries is hidden better and far worse!

@djdrogs

When the people of the world stop looking for leaders and help ourselves, then we will evolove.

@khaledakram9534

Very well said 👏

@Gnawiful

So true, Africa should run itself by just the people. I don't know what I would be if I wasn't African. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

@cultivatingwellness4028

This woman is stunning, her voice evokes all the realities of Africa and crosses culture. One love from Jamaica

@charlesthompson7498

On point/on time in December of 202O to me too!!!!!

@lunalea1250

Well said my fellow Jcan, as our brother Bob said, "one good thing about music, when it hits, you feel no pain"! 😊💜

@ryandavid6143

Don’t know what she is singing about but I can feel how uplifting and sad at the same time.,.love her songs....we ( blacks) have lost so much especially our identity so when I see or hear someone who is representing all I have is respect.

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