America
K'naan Lyrics
Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh
Oh this takes me home
It makes me think about sitting outside of my old home
When I was younger and singing something like
Gabaryaray shuxaano
Maro Shabeel eh xirato
Maro qafiif eh huwato
Magacaaga ii sheeg?
Magacayga waa Sharaf
Aqalada xiriirta
Dhinac baa ka jooga
Ala yaa usheega?
Tinta ushaleeya?
Naa hoey Zamzamey!
Sabaax nuurey!
Adoo kilkiley
Iyo
Kaloon badanay!
Adoo xajka jira
Xasuus badhanay!
Saxiibtaa
Caasho, cashaq baa dhilay
Ugu dhambaystina
Aniga iyo geel uba
Ugu banaan bixin
Waa aniga orodneey!
Nabad dheynee!
Mareekan waa laga soo waayey
Mareekan waa laga soo waayey
Mareekan waa laga soo waayey
Waa aniga orodneey!
Nabad dheynee!
Mareekan waa laga soo waayey
Mareekan waa laga soo waayey
Mareekan waa laga soo waayey
Waa aniga orodneey!
Nabad dheynee!
Mareekan waa laga soo waayey
Mareekan waa laga soo waayey
Mareekan waa laga soo waayey
There are certain things fresh
And certain things mesh
I got my own sound I don't sound like the rest
And even my attire and my choice of dress
And not long ago I don't spoke English
My point is police pull me over a lot
They wonder what kind of rap sheet I got
And sometimes I take a young girl out to eat
And hold the door open oh, you're so sweet
Of course my affection's super illustrated
And I like to give don't reciprocate it
Unless you could give me someone innovated
Well lets cook it up we dont refrigerate it
But back to the country of the educated
Where people get robbed and they celebrate it
Waa aniga orodneey!
Nabad dheynee!
Mareekan waa laga soo waayey
Mareekan waa laga soo waayey
Mareekan waa laga soo waayey
Waa aniga orodneey!
Nabad dheynee!
Mareekan waa laga soo waayey
Mareekan waa laga soo waayey
Mareekan waa laga soo waayey
Waa aniga orodneey!
Nabad dheynee!
Mareekan waa laga soo waayey
Mareekan waa laga soo waayey
Mareekan waa laga soo waayey
Maraken,
My country tis of thee
Sweet land for robberies
Dos smokin' S-U-V's
Grab me an army green
Fat and frills
Thrills and spills
Eat and sleep
Hump and kill
Shop til you drop
Work til you dead
Get all you can
Then get in the wear
Outta my face
On your knees
Sleep in the mansion
Shut out the streets
Make that cake
Woop that trick
Lick my swagger
Suck my sick
Get high get low get sticky get rich
Get yo own show get down get quick
You slow you blow you broke your fix
Terror dome, home swag home
Terror dome, home swag home
Home swag home
Home swag home
There are some things pure while certain things blur
Dilute it with the lie and you believe when it occur
Falsified information got my people in the stir
We have to be in search of something equal to the cure
Straight out the door, I come to give you more
Lay the law keep it raw, when I speak it from the core
Get underneath your skin like especially with the claw
Conflicted with the rich 'cause I kick it with the poor
I laugh in the face of adversity
Sound clashed with the bass 'cause it's natural to me
But if you pay attention to the past you will see
Not long ago you black they'd hang your ass from a tree
Certain things things change, while some stay the same
Some are recluse others are lovers of the game
I'm trying to walk the lane, the siratul mustaqim was the cane
Instead of doing things they keep you covered in the flame
Nanananana that shit was cool in English
But let me get that Somali verse
Gabaryaray shuxaano
Maro Shabeel eh xirato
Maro qafiif eh huwato
Magacaaga ii sheeg?
Magacayga waa Sharaf
Sharaf, Xaaji weyaan
Aqalada xiriirta
Dhinac baa ka jooga
Ala yaa usheega?
Tinta ushaleeya?
Naa hoey Zamzamey!
Sabaax nuurey!
Adoo kilkiley
Iyo
Kaloon badanay!
Adoo xajka jira
Xasuus badhanay!
Saxiibtaa
Caasho, cashaq baa dhilay
Ugu dhambaystina
Aniga iyo geel uba
Ugu banaan bixin
Waa aniga orodneey!
Nabad dheynee!
Mareekan waa laga soo waayey
Mareekan waa laga soo waayey
Mareekan waa laga soo waayey
Waa aniga orodneey!
Nabad dheynee!
Mareekan waa laga soo waayey
Mareekan waa laga soo waayey
Mareekan waa laga soo waayey
Waa aniga orodneey!
Nabad dheynee!
Mareekan waa laga soo waayey
Mareekan waa laga soo waayey
Mareekan waa laga soo waayey
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC., Royalty Network
Written by: Charles Stewart, Dante Smith, Keinan Warsame, Mark Richardson, KEINAN ABDI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them
K'naan (Keinaan, meaning traveller in Somali, born 1978) is a Somali-Canadian poet and hip-hop artist. The Coming To America Songfacts states that born in Mogadishu, Somalia, he spent his childhood there during the Somali Civil War, which began in 1991. K’naan’s grandfather, Haji Mohammad, was a poet and his aunt, Magool, one of Somalia's most famous singers. The young Somalian acquired an early interest in hip-hop from the records that were sent to him from America by his father. Read Full BioK'naan (Keinaan, meaning traveller in Somali, born 1978) is a Somali-Canadian poet and hip-hop artist. The Coming To America Songfacts states that born in Mogadishu, Somalia, he spent his childhood there during the Somali Civil War, which began in 1991. K’naan’s grandfather, Haji Mohammad, was a poet and his aunt, Magool, one of Somalia's most famous singers. The young Somalian acquired an early interest in hip-hop from the records that were sent to him from America by his father. K’naan describes growing up in Somalia amidst the ongoing warfare on his song "Coming To America". At age 13 he left for New York City with his mother and brother and finally settled in the Rexdale neighbourhood of Toronto.
In 2001 K'naan performed in Geneva at the 50th anniversary of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
In 2005, he performed with DobaCaracol during the Live 8 concert in Barrie, Ontario. His full-length debut album, The Dusty Foot Philosopher, was released in 2005.
His song "Soobax" (pronounced "So-Bah") is now featured in the best selling video game FIFA Football 2006, made by Electronic Arts and he has toured the world with the cup.
K'naan participated in the Breedlove Odyssey Tour with Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch and Jean Grae. He also participated in the "Welcome To Jamrock" tour along with Damian Marley.
The Dusty Foot Philosopher received a 2006 Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year, and was nominated for the inaugural Polaris Music Prize. He also featured in a song by M1, titled "Till We Get There".
The song "In the Beginning" from the album The Dusty Foot Philosopher was featured in the 2008 Comedy "Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay"
He also toured with Stephen Marley on Stephen's "Mind Control" tour.
His latest album "Troubadour" was released in 2009 featuring guests artists such as Damian Marley, Adam Levine, Kirk Hammett, Mos Def, and Chali 2NA.
A remixed version of K'naan's single "Wavin' Flag" was chosen as the Coca-Cola anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
K'naan won the 2010 Juno Awards for Canada's Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year.
In 2001 K'naan performed in Geneva at the 50th anniversary of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
In 2005, he performed with DobaCaracol during the Live 8 concert in Barrie, Ontario. His full-length debut album, The Dusty Foot Philosopher, was released in 2005.
His song "Soobax" (pronounced "So-Bah") is now featured in the best selling video game FIFA Football 2006, made by Electronic Arts and he has toured the world with the cup.
K'naan participated in the Breedlove Odyssey Tour with Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch and Jean Grae. He also participated in the "Welcome To Jamrock" tour along with Damian Marley.
The Dusty Foot Philosopher received a 2006 Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year, and was nominated for the inaugural Polaris Music Prize. He also featured in a song by M1, titled "Till We Get There".
The song "In the Beginning" from the album The Dusty Foot Philosopher was featured in the 2008 Comedy "Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay"
He also toured with Stephen Marley on Stephen's "Mind Control" tour.
His latest album "Troubadour" was released in 2009 featuring guests artists such as Damian Marley, Adam Levine, Kirk Hammett, Mos Def, and Chali 2NA.
A remixed version of K'naan's single "Wavin' Flag" was chosen as the Coca-Cola anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
K'naan won the 2010 Juno Awards for Canada's Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year.
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вп хр
"America"
(feat. Mos Def and Chali 2na)
uh huh uh huh uh huh
oh this takes me home,
it makes me think about sitting outside of my old home when I was younger and singing something like
[Chorus I (with translation)]
gabar yaroo subhaano [Young beautiful girl]
maro shabeelo hirato [wearing tiger-patterned]
maro qafiifa huwato [light, thin clothing]
maga’aaga ii sheeg [Tell me your name]
magaeygu waa sharaf [she says: My name is Sharaf]
sharaf haaji weeyan [Sharaf Haaji, it is]
aqalada hariirta [Those beautiful houses]
dhina baan ka jooga [I live beside]
alla ya u sheega [Somebody please tell them]
tinta u shanleeya [give them a clue]
nahoy zamzamey [of you, Zamzam]
sabaah nuurey [who shines like the morning light]
adoo kin kin iyo [like the scales]
kaluun badaneey [of a colorful fish]
adoo hajka jira [while you were gone on Hajj]
xasuus badaneey [had many memories]
sahiibtaa asho ashaq baa dilay [Your friend, Aisha died of love]
ugu dambeyntiina [at long last (I realized)]
aniyo geeluba [both I and the camels]
wa u banaanbahnay [need love]
[Chorus II - x2 (with translation)]
wanagii orodnee [Remember us fleeing]
nabad barinee [searching for peace?]
mareykan waa laga soo waayay [3x] [In America, none was found]
There are certain things fresh,
and certain things mesh,
I got my own sound I dont sound like the rest,
and even my attire and my choice of dress,
and not long ago I don’t spoke English
my point is police pull me over a lot
they wonder what kind of rap sheet I got.
and sometimes I take a young girl out to eat,
and hold the door open oh your so sweet,
of course my affection’s super illustrated
and I like to give don’t reciprocate it
unless you could give me someone innovated
well lets cook it up we dont refrigerate it
but back to the country of the educated
where people get robbed and they celebrate it,
[Repeat Chorus II x2]
[Mos Def:]
Maraken,
my country tis of thee
sweet land for robberies
dos smokin SUV’s
grab me an army green
fat and frills
thrills and spills
eat and sleep
hump and kill
shop til you drop
work til you dead
get all you can
then get in the wear
outta my face
on your knees
sleep in the mansion
shut out the streets
make that cake
woop that trick
lick my swagger
suck my sick
get high get low get stcky get rich
get yo own show get down get quick
you slow you blow you broke your fix
terror dome, home swag home
terror dome, home swag home
home swag home
home swag home
[Chorus II - x2 ("America" repeated)]
[Chali 2na:]
There are some things pure while certain things blur
dilute it with the lie and you believe when it occur
falsified information got my people in the stir
we have to be in search of something equal to the cure
straight out the door, I come to give you more
lay the law keep it raw, when I speak it from the core
get underneath your skin like especially with the claw
conflicted with the rich cuz i kick it with the poor
I laugh in the face of adversity
sound clashed with the bass cuz its natural to me
but if you pay attention to the past you will see
not long ago you black they’d hang your ass from a tree
but certain things things change, while some stay the same
some are recluse others are lovers of the game
I’m trying to walk the lane, the serahtal mustakeen [arabic for "straight path"]
instead of doing things that keep you covered in the flame.
[Chorus II - x2 ("America" repeated)]
Nanananana that shit was cool in English, but let me get that Somali verse.
[Chorus I]
Luul Ma'ogi
Somali lyrics translation.
Chorus
Waa anagii orodnee (We, who fled)
Nabad barinee (Who begged for peace)
Mareeykan waa laga soo waaye (It (peace) could not be found in America) 3X
The following lyrics are childhood songs meant to tease one another.
Gabar yaroo shabcaano (O you young and honorable girl)
Maro shabeelo xerato (Who wears a leopard print attire)
Maro khafiif huwato (Who covers herself with a light drape)
Magacaaga ii sheeg (Tell me your name)
Magaceeyga waa Sharaf (My name is Honor)
Sharaf Xaaji weeyaan (It's Honor Haji)
Aqalada Xariirta (The elegant rooms)
Dhinaca baan ka jooga (I am by their side)
Alla yaa u sheega (Someone should tell her)
Tinta u shaleeya (To comb her hair)
Nahooy Sam Sameey (Hey Sam Sam)
Sabaax nuureey (bright Morning)
Adoo kilkil iyo kaluun badaneey (Your armpits smell of fish)
Adoo xadka jira (You, who are at the pilgrimage)
Xasuus badaneey (With a lot of memories)
Saxiibtaa cashaq cashaq baa dilay (Your friend died of infatuation)
Ugu dambeeystina (And in the end)
Ani iyo geeloba (Me and the camel)
Ugu banaanbaxey (Went out for a stroll)
foodcade Foodcade1234
Lyrics for k'naan
Gabaryaroo shubxaan ah.
Maro shabeella xirato.
Maro qafiifa hubato.
Magaacaga ii sheeg.
Magaceegu waa sharaf .
Sharaf xaaji weeye .
Aqalada xariirtaa dhinac baa ka joogaa.
Alla yaa u sheega.
Tinta u shanleeya.
Nahooy zamzameey.
Sabaax nuureey.
Adoo kil kiliyo, kaluun badaneey.
Adoo xajka jira xasuus badaneey.
Saaxibtaa caash caash baa,dillay.
Igu dambeystuna aniga iyo geeluba. ugu bananbaxin.
Waa anagii hurdnee nabad barinee mareekan waa laga soo waayey.(×)
That,s my somali language🇸🇴❤❤
вп хр
"America"
(feat. Mos Def and Chali 2na)
uh huh uh huh uh huh
oh this takes me home,
it makes me think about sitting outside of my old home when I was younger and singing something like
[Chorus I (with translation)]
gabar yaroo subhaano [Young beautiful girl]
maro shabeelo hirato [wearing tiger-patterned]
maro qafiifa huwato [light, thin clothing]
maga’aaga ii sheeg [Tell me your name]
magaeygu waa sharaf [she says: My name is Sharaf]
sharaf haaji weeyan [Sharaf Haaji, it is]
aqalada hariirta [Those beautiful houses]
dhina baan ka jooga [I live beside]
alla ya u sheega [Somebody please tell them]
tinta u shanleeya [give them a clue]
nahoy zamzamey [of you, Zamzam]
sabaah nuurey [who shines like the morning light]
adoo kin kin iyo [like the scales]
kaluun badaneey [of a colorful fish]
adoo hajka jira [while you were gone on Hajj]
xasuus badaneey [had many memories]
sahiibtaa asho ashaq baa dilay [Your friend, Aisha died of love]
ugu dambeyntiina [at long last (I realized)]
aniyo geeluba [both I and the camels]
wa u banaanbahnay [need love]
[Chorus II - x2 (with translation)]
wanagii orodnee [Remember us fleeing]
nabad barinee [searching for peace?]
mareykan waa laga soo waayay [3x] [In America, none was found]
There are certain things fresh,
and certain things mesh,
I got my own sound I dont sound like the rest,
and even my attire and my choice of dress,
and not long ago I don’t spoke English
my point is police pull me over a lot
they wonder what kind of rap sheet I got.
and sometimes I take a young girl out to eat,
and hold the door open oh your so sweet,
of course my affection’s super illustrated
and I like to give don’t reciprocate it
unless you could give me someone innovated
well lets cook it up we dont refrigerate it
but back to the country of the educated
where people get robbed and they celebrate it,
[Repeat Chorus II x2]
[Mos Def:]
Maraken,
my country tis of thee
sweet land for robberies
dos smokin SUV’s
grab me an army green
fat and frills
thrills and spills
eat and sleep
hump and kill
shop til you drop
work til you dead
get all you can
then get in the wear
outta my face
on your knees
sleep in the mansion
shut out the streets
make that cake
woop that trick
lick my swagger
suck my sick
get high get low get stcky get rich
get yo own show get down get quick
you slow you blow you broke your fix
terror dome, home swag home
terror dome, home swag home
home swag home
home swag home
[Chorus II - x2 ("America" repeated)]
[Chali 2na:]
There are some things pure while certain things blur
dilute it with the lie and you believe when it occur
falsified information got my people in the stir
we have to be in search of something equal to the cure
straight out the door, I come to give you more
lay the law keep it raw, when I speak it from the core
get underneath your skin like especially with the claw
conflicted with the rich cuz i kick it with the poor
I laugh in the face of adversity
sound clashed with the bass cuz its natural to me
but if you pay attention to the past you will see
not long ago you black they’d hang your ass from a tree
but certain things things change, while some stay the same
some are recluse others are lovers of the game
I’m trying to walk the lane, the serahtal mustakeen [arabic for "straight path"]
instead of doing things that keep you covered in the flame.
[Chorus II - x2 ("America" repeated)]
Nanananana that shit was cool in English, but let me get that Somali verse.
[Chorus I]
Mark Gillan
💚
Mark Gillan
Unbelievable
Mark Gillan
🖤💚🌹
A Ducaale
@L Ta it really translates" Oh someone comb her hair" Tinta u shaleeyaa... most of translation is on point except that..trust me I live in Xamar and we used to sing that part since we were kids
L Ta
@Therunta Runale i agree with you.
This translation makes no sense.
I'm gonna be honest my Somali sucks, I can't even string a proper sentence together but; I can understand most of it
Especially things to do with combing your hair, I've heard it enough from my mom and aunts .
I hated combing my hair when I was little.
I know for a 100 % that "tinta u shanleyaa" means combing hair.
That sentence was often preceded by "kaalay ............(insert fav Somali curseword here; example: fuutoo Wayne, Abaha wass, etc)
ChiCan76
The more I listen and learn from this man, the more I realize that he may just be the most significant musician of our time. I look forward to many more years of listening, groovin and learnings from this cat.
Will Deyl
I like how the bass drum hits first in a place that is unexpected but adds so much emphasis. Love it. The beat seems like it would be different - it seems to start on an offbeat but it's adopted amazingly into the song. Genius.
Omar Sarsour
LOVE THIS SONG!!! love the album!!! love that k'naan collabed with mos!
Bongi Mbuli
This guy is gifted period