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.
Sanza tristesse
Francis Bebey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mon cœur est triste
Ma vie est triste
Y a le soleil qui s'est enfui
Et mon amour qui est partie
Avec lui
Le ciel sans voile
Est plein d'étoiles
Qui me dévoilent
Qu'elle est heureuse loin de moi
Et qu'elle ne pense plus à moi
Loin de moi
Pourtant je chante
Mais oui, je chante
Et quand je chante
C'est pour appeler mon amour
En priant qu'elle revienne un jour
Pour toujours
Cette musique
Mélancolique
Cette musique
Je l'envoie par le vent du soir
À celle que j'aimerais revoir
Près de moi
The song "Sanza tristesse" by Francis Bebey describes a feeling of sadness that the singer is experiencing. The first verse of the song describes the singer's overall mood as "sad" because the sun has gone down and his love has left him. The second verse describes how even the sky full of stars reveals that his love is happier without him and has moved on. Despite this, the singer continues to sing, hoping that his love will return to him someday.
The lyrics of "Sanza tristesse" effectively convey the message of melancholy and loneliness felt by the singer, further enhanced by the melody played by the Sanza, a traditional African instrument similar to a thumb piano. The overall sound of the song is haunting, yet beautiful. It's a love song that is both heartbreaking and touching.
Interestingly, Francis Bebey was not just a musician, but also a writer, poet, and artist. He was known for incorporating African rhythms and sounds into pop music, and his work has inspired musicians all over the world. "Sanza tristesse" is one of his most popular songs, and it has been covered by various artists in different languages.
Line by Line Meaning
Le soir est triste
The evening is sorrowful and mournful
Mon cœur est triste
My heart is filled with sadness and grief
Ma vie est triste
My life is filled with sorrow and despair
Y a le soleil qui s'est enfui
The sun has disappeared from the sky
Et mon amour qui est partie
And my love has left me
Avec lui
Along with it
Le ciel sans voile
The sky without a veil
Est plein d'étoiles
Is full of stars
Qui me dévoilent
That reveal to me
Qu'elle est heureuse loin de moi
That she is happy far away from me
Et qu'elle ne pense plus à moi
And that she no longer thinks of me
Loin de moi
Far away from me
Pourtant je chante
Yet, I sing
Mais oui, je chante
Indeed, I sing
Et quand je chante
And when I sing
C'est pour appeler mon amour
It is to call for my love
En priant qu'elle revienne un jour
Praying that she will come back one day
Pour toujours
Forever
Cette musique
This music
Mélancolique
Melancholic
Cette musique
This music
Je l'envoie par le vent du soir
I send it through the evening breeze
À celle que j'aimerais revoir
To the one I would love to see again
Près de moi
Close to me
Contributed by Sophie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@le_paysan
Le soir est triste
Mon cœur est triste
Ma vie est triste
Y'a le soleil qui s'est enfui
Et mon amour qui est parti
Avec lui
Le ciel sans voile
Est plein d'étoiles
Qui me dévoilent
Qu'elle est heureuse loin de moi
Et qu'elle ne pense plus à moi, loin de moi
Pourtant je chante
Et oui, je chante
Et quand je chante
C'est pour rappeler mon amour
En priant qu'elle revienne un jour, pour toujours
Cette musique
Mélancolique
Cette musique
Je l'envoie par le vent du soir
A celle que j'aimerais revoir
@michelphilippeLehaire
The evening is sad
My heart is sad
My life is sad
The sun has fled
And my love who's gone
With him
The sky without a veil
Is full of stars
Who reveal me
How happy she is far from me
And that she no longer thinks of me, far from me
Yet I sing
And yes I sing
And when i sing
It's to remind my love
Praying that she will come back one day, forever
This music
Melancholy
This music
I send it by the evening wind
To the one who I would like to see again
@Deadwetgothuncle
I’m here because they took this masterpiece off Spotify 😢❤
@melodiearya9478
Was here to comment the same thing 😮💨
@fanmiantwan7090
Well, me too. I just found out while listening to « Pygmy love song ». Vive Youtube !
@fanmiantwan7090
Well, me too. I just found out while listening to « Pygmy love song ». Vive Youtube !
@martinarias6147
me too pal, me too
@Deadwetgothuncle
My friends they added this song back on Spotify!🎉
@le_paysan
Le soir est triste
Mon cœur est triste
Ma vie est triste
Y'a le soleil qui s'est enfui
Et mon amour qui est parti
Avec lui
Le ciel sans voile
Est plein d'étoiles
Qui me dévoilent
Qu'elle est heureuse loin de moi
Et qu'elle ne pense plus à moi, loin de moi
Pourtant je chante
Et oui, je chante
Et quand je chante
C'est pour rappeler mon amour
En priant qu'elle revienne un jour, pour toujours
Cette musique
Mélancolique
Cette musique
Je l'envoie par le vent du soir
A celle que j'aimerais revoir
@buba7042
I dont understand words, but i like it so much!
@michelphilippeLehaire
The evening is sad
My heart is sad
My life is sad
The sun has fled
And my love who's gone
With him
The sky without a veil
Is full of stars
Who reveal me
How happy she is far from me
And that she no longer thinks of me, far from me
Yet I sing
And yes I sing
And when i sing
It's to remind my love
Praying that she will come back one day, forever
This music
Melancholy
This music
I send it by the evening wind
To the one who I would like to see again
@williamfranktassin8549
Simplement Magnifique.
Un vrai chef d oeuvre.