In the 1970s, Lô studied at the School of Art in Dakar later joining the popular Super Diamono. He left the group in 1984 to start a solo career. Over the next four years Lô recorded five popular solo albums.
In 1990 Lô signed a recording deal with Barclay and recorded in France his sixth solo album, Ismaël Lô. Thanks to the success of the single Tajabone the album became a hit in the European charts. The album launched his international career.
Iso was recorded and released in 1994, and also became a success. The album contains soft guitar melodies and traditional senegalese mbalax. The following year Lô toured in Africa. The compilation album Jammu Africa was released in 1996.
In 1999, Tajabone was featured in Pedro Almodóvar's All About My Mother.
Wakhal
Ismaël Lô Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nit kou bakh
Waroul mome di téyé meer
Bour yala diko togne lagnou deké
Wargua xalat bala guamay antou
Gueneul li khol waw bo teudé nélaw
Nit kou bah warna di balé mome
Ndakham bourbi yala dagnou deukeu
Diko togne
Bo dioulé gnane mou facé say bakar
Dafa bayi say morom yaw tanala
Bayi keur ndey ak bay guir séyal la
Kon boumou sey dou lougnouy
Tiakhané
Gueneul li khol waw bo teudé nélaw
Kay wakh ak mome kay wakh
Ak mome
Kay wakh ak mome yéneu bokeu
Diéguénaye
Kay wakh ak mome kay wakh
Ak mome
Kay wakh ak mome yéneu bokeu
Diéguénaye
Hé nagnou tiapa né djiguèn gny
Gnoye sounou kany hègne
Kon gnoune ak goune gnoune
Ak gnome
Ba saguar khègne
Mouny
Waw nagnou diapa né sey louko taka
Tassouko
Kon gnoune ak goune gnoune
Ak gnome
Ba pik ak pèle kheu
Yaw miye diame bougne la balo
Nagua balé
Bour yala mome dagnou deukeu diko
Togne
Kon yaw miye diame bougne la balo
Dagua wara balé
Ndakh bour yala mome sopeuna diam
Bouy balé
Kay wakh ak mome kay wakh
Ak mome
Kay wakh ak mome yéneu bokeu
Diéguénaye
Kay wakh ak mome kay wakh
Ak mome
Kay wakh ak mome yéneu bokeu
Diéguénaye
Bilay bilay bilay
The lyrics of Ismaël Lô's song "Wakhal" express themes of longing, pain, and disillusionment.
The opening line, "Nit kou bakh" can be translated as "I am here again" or "I am back." This line sets the tone for the rest of the song, suggesting a sense of return or repetition. The following lines, "Waroul mome di téyé meer, Bour yala diko togne lagnou deké," speak to the pain and suffering that the singer has experienced. They feel trapped in a cycle of disappointment and are longing for something better.
The lines "Gueneul li khol waw bo teudé nélaw" can be interpreted as a plea for help or guidance. The singer is searching for answers and a way out of their current situation. They mention feeling lost and unsure of what to do.
The repetition of the line "Kay wakh ak mome kay wakh, Ak mome, Kay wakh ak mome yéneu bokeu, Diéguénaye" throughout the song highlights the theme of longing. The singer is constantly yearning for something or someone, but they also express a sense of resignation or acceptance that what they desire may never come to fruition.
The concluding line, "Bilay bilay bilay," is a repetitive chant that can be seen as an expression of frustration or surrender. It suggests that the singer has reached a point of exhaustion and has given up hope.
Overall, the lyrics of "Wakhal" convey a sense of emotional turmoil and the complexity of human experiences. The song explores themes of longing, pain, and the search for meaning in a world that can often be disappointing.
Line by Line Meaning
Nit kou bakh
Don't be ungrateful
Waroul mome di téyé meer
Remember what you have received
Bour yala diko togne lagnou deké
Because others are suffering
Wargua xalat bala guamay antou
With a little effort, we can help each other
Gueneul li khol waw bo teudé nélaw
Even if it seems difficult, we can make a change
Nit kou bah warna di balé mome
Don't disregard the value of what you have
Nit kou bah warna di diéguelé
Don't forget where you come from
Ndakham bourbi yala dagnou deukeu
There are many people in need
Diko togne
You can help
Bo dioulé gnane mou facé say bakar
We are all connected, let's show kindness
Dafa bayi say morom yaw tanala
Help your neighbor when they are in trouble
Bayi keur ndey ak bay guir séyal la
Build a community based on love
Kon boumou sey dou lougnouy
Together we can achieve great things
Tiakhané
Let's unite
Kay wakh ak mome kay wakh
See with your own eyes
Ak mome
And understand
Kay wakh ak mome yéneu bokeu
See and realize the truth
Diéguénaye
Let it guide you
Hé nagnou tiapa né djiguèn gny
Oh, let's not turn our backs
Gnoye sounou kany hègne
On those who need us
Kon gnoune ak goune gnoune
Whether we know them or not
Ak gnome
And regardless of their appearance
Ba saguar khègne
Let's lend a helping hand
Mouny
To our fellow human beings
Waw nagnou diapa né sey louko taka
Because we are all interconnected
Tassouko
In this journey
Kon gnoune ak goune gnoune
Whether we know them or not
Ak gnome
And regardless of their appearance
Ba pik ak pèle kheu
Let's share what we have
Yaw miye diame bougne la balo
So that everyone can live in peace
Nagua balé
And find happiness
Bour yala mome dagnou deukeu diko
Because others are in great need
Togne
You can help
Kon yaw miye diame bougne la balo
So that everyone can live in peace
Dagua wara balé
And find happiness
Ndakh bour yala mome sopeuna diam
Because others are suffering deeply
Bouy balé
Give them a hand
Kay wakh ak mome kay wakh
See with your own eyes
Ak mome
And understand
Kay wakh ak mome yéneu bokeu
See and realize the truth
Diéguénaye
Let it guide you
Bilay bilay bilay
Forever and ever
Writer(s): Ismael Lo
Contributed by Austin I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mohamedbentaleb1087
vive le Sénégal .ismael lo un grand artiste. un grand salut du Maroc au Sénégal
@khalidloutfi1934
To be Honest i dont understands the lyrics but i love this kind of music well done I smael lo keep going
@alythiam7295
cool cool cet album senegal et le morceau wakhal encore trééééééééééééééééés coollllllllllllll
@faridtisserdi9664
Pour quoi deslike !!
@nataliatamayo1506
yeees
@leyemoustapha9782
Mersi