They are influenced by french writers like Georges Brassens, Pierre Perret, Renaud, the 80's french alternative scene like Mano Negra, and the music of Eastern Europe.
Sacré fils
Les Ogres de Barback Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Loin d'un vieux continent
Le cœur découvert
De sentiments
Marabout, vaudoune et piment
Des tonnes et des tonnes de gaz d'échappement
Les pratiques envoûtant
De plastique et de bière
Ces gens
Marabout, vaudoune et argent
Mosquée, église, sacrifice, rite et sang
Okan don houn gbo mlon gbe zon e
Au chant des envoûtés j'ai prêté mon oreille.
Poudre de Dahomey, boussole négresse !
Un dieu est accroché au bois sorcier.
Au conte gracile d'un pays effleuré,
Je porte un songe, je glisse ma cadence.
Il est l'aube sur un cadran d'Afrique,
Les tambours brûlés sont hâlés de prières,
La fanfare est cuivrée, le reste est à demain.
Aux hommes tannés d'un autre envers,
Rusés danseurs tambouriniers et fils de prodiges :
Je porte un songe vers le sud ?
Mi yaho tombé miyaho
Oyé néhéhowé olo wé so wélo
Oloko owiyé dowé dowé miyaho tombé
Oloko owiyé
Okan don houn gbo mlon gbe zon e
The lyrics to Les Ogres de Barback's song "Sacré fils" paint a picture of a journey to an exotic and unfamiliar place. The opening lines suggest a departure from a familiar continent to the gates of the desert, with the heart open to new emotions and experiences. The song then introduces elements of magic and spirituality, with references to marabouts (Muslim holy men), voodoo, and spicy flavors.
The following lines describe the indifference towards enchanting practices in the streets, where plastic and beer dominate. However, the lyrics also mention the presence of money, mosques, churches, sacrifices, rituals, and blood. This suggests a clash or coexistence of different belief systems and customs in this foreign land.
The chorus, with the phrase "Okan don houn gbo mlon gbe zon e," contains some West African words that are not easily translatable. They add a sense of mystery and rhythm to the song. The lyrics then continue to conjure images of a hypnotic chant, the powder of Dahomey (a former kingdom in West Africa), and a compass with African roots. There is a mention of a god hanging on a sorcerer's wood, evoking a sense of spiritual power and otherworldly stories.
Overall, the song "Sacré fils" by Les Ogres de Barback explores themes of cultural exchange, spirituality, and the blending of traditions in an unfamiliar setting.
Line by Line Meaning
Aux portes du désert
At the gates of the desert
Loin d'un vieux continent
Far from an old continent
Le cœur découvert
The heart uncovered
De sentiments
Of emotions
Marabout, vaudoune et piment
Marabout, voodoo and spice
Des tonnes et des tonnes de gaz d'échappement
Tons and tons of exhaust fumes
Dans les rues, s'indiffèrent
In the streets, they are indifferent
Les pratiques envoûtant
The captivating practices
De plastique et de bière
Of plastic and beer
Ces gens
These people
Marabout, vaudoune et argent
Marabout, voodoo and money
Mosquée, église, sacrifice, rite et sang
Mosque, church, sacrifice, ritual, and blood
Okan don houn gbo mlon gbe zon e
One day, we will understand
Au chant des envoûtés j'ai prêté mon oreille.
To the song of the bewitched, I lent my ear.
Poudre de Dahomey, boussole négresse !
Powder from Dahomey, black compass!
Un dieu est accroché au bois sorcier.
A god is hanging on the sorcerer's wood.
Au conte gracile d'un pays effleuré,
To the graceful tale of a touched country,
Je porte un songe, je glisse ma cadence.
I carry a dream, I glide my rhythm.
Il est l'aube sur un cadran d'Afrique,
It is dawn on an African dial,
Les tambours brûlés sont hâlés de prières,
The burnt drums are tanned by prayers,
La fanfare est cuivrée, le reste est à demain.
The brass band is coppered, the rest is for tomorrow.
Aux hommes tannés d'un autre envers,
To the tanned men of another side,
Rusés danseurs tambouriniers et fils de prodiges :
Clever dancing tambourine players and sons of prodigies:
Je porte un songe vers le sud ?
Am I carrying a dream towards the south?
Mi yaho tombé miyaho
Go away, misfortune
Oyé néhéhowé olo wé so wélo
Listen, the spirit is singing
Oloko owiyé dowé dowé miyaho tombé
The great misfortune has fallen
Oloko owiyé
Great misfortune
Okan don houn gbo mlon gbe zon e
One day, we will understand
Lyrics © BARBACK EDITIONS, BALANDRAS EDITIONS
Written by: Alice BURGUIERE, Denis PEAN, Frederic BURGUIERE, Mathilde BURGUIERE, Samuel BURGUIERE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind