Francis Bebey (1929–2001) was a Cameroonian artist, musician, and writer. B… Read Full Bio ↴Francis Bebey (1929–2001) was a Cameroonian artist, musician, and writer. Bebey was born in 1929 in Douala, Cameroon. He attended the Sorbonne and Paris, France, and received further education in the United States. In 1957, Bebey moved to Ghana at the invitation of Kwame Nkrumah to all Africans from non-independent territories. Bebey took a job as a broadcaster.

In the early 1960s, Bebey moved to France and started work in the arts, establishing himself as a musician, sculptor, and writer. His most popular novel was Agatha Moudio's Son. His writing and music often cross-fertilised, and he performed a song by that name, as well (Agatha). He also worked as a consultant for UNESCO.

Bebey released his first album in 1969. His music was primarily guitar-based, although he integrated traditional African instruments as well. His style was groundbreaking, merging Cameroonian makossa with classical guitar, jazz, and pop, in a mix that could be intellectual, humorous, or serious. He sang in Duala, English, and French. Bebey had a strong impact on later performers. For example, he gave Manu Dibango his big break when Dibango came to work for him in Paris. Bebey released more than 20 albums over his career. He died in 2001.

Je pars Maria
Francis Bebey Lyrics

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Je pars, Maria
Je pars à la guerre
Dans le pays que je ne connais pas
Le pays très très loin
Faut pas pleurer Maria, faut pas pleurer
C'est le pays des amis
Je dois partir
Parce que il faut sauver les amis

Faut pas pleurer Maria, faut pas pleurer
La vie yen a à gauche, à droite
T façon
C'est même chose aujourd'hui
Ce jour là, chaud on a pas, froid on a pas
Je te dis [...]
C'est même chose aujourd'hui
Parce que la vie, la vie yen a à droite yen a à gauche
Alors, je pars, Maria
Je pars
Mais je reviendra encore
Si Dieu veut
Et si Dieu il veut aussi, moi je peux mourir même là bas
Je peux mourir pour de bon mourir
Et mourir point c'est tout
Mais toi,
Toi se vivras encore longtemps ici
Et je suis très content pour toi
Là haut si Dieu veux
Très contente
Alors faut pas pleurer Maria, faut pas pleurer
Je pars

Mais je reviendra
Je pars Maria

Overall Meaning

The Francis Bebey song "Je pars, Maria" is a reflective and poignant ballad about a man leaving for war in a faraway land, presumably with the intention of protecting his friends. The songs addresses a woman named Maria who is, presumably, his love or his wife. The song is set against the backdrop of the fear, uncertainty and anticipation of warfare. The chorus constantly reminds Maria, and the listener by extension, not to cry, despite the gravity of the situation.

The lyrics reveal the complicated emotions that run through the heart of a man who is about to go off to a battle in a country he has never been. He talks about the various possibilities, including death, but still maintains some degree of optimism about returning home. The fact that he even acknowledges the possibility of death indicates that he is not naive about the dangers that may befall him. The man seems to find solace in Maria's presence and feels contented that she would still be able to live her life if he dies.

Overall, the song is a heart-rending narrative of the consequences of war on individual lives, their relationships, and their dreams. Francis Bebey's use of African musical elements, such as a combination of drum patterns and vocal harmonies, is masterful and helps to convey the poignancy of the song's message.

Line by Line Meaning

Je pars, Maria
I am leaving, Maria.

Je pars à la guerre
I am leaving for war.

Dans le pays que je ne connais pas
To a country unknown to me.

Le pays très très loin
A very faraway land.

Faut pas pleurer Maria, faut pas pleurer
Don't cry, Maria, don't cry.

C'est le pays des amis
It's the land of friends.

Je dois partir
I have to leave.

Parce que il faut sauver les amis
Because I have to save my friends.

La vie yen a à gauche, à droite
Life exists everywhere.

T façon
Anyway.

C'est même chose aujourd'hui
It's the same thing today.