Equal parts gypsy and klezmer (with plenty of flourishes thrown in), the band draw on music from right across the region, from Hungary down to Armenia and serve up some of the most rhythmic and emotional sounds emanating from any part of the world.
Trado trado
Les Yeux Noirs Lyrics
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De lungone dromença
Meg chi reso dade
De lungone dromença
Meg chi reso dade
De meg chi reso le praloren
Te le pralen reso
Te pinjaren mande
Duj ges mulatino
Te pinjaren mande
De kon i la romano chavo
Ej de ma devla
Duj edjer koroni
Hot te kerav devlam
Duj edjer koroni
Hot te kerav devlam
Hot te kerav muri voja
Zotar mamo zotar
Lungone dromença
De kaj me mamo raklo
Lungone dromença
De kaj me mamo raklo
Feri mure le praloren
Me piav mulatinav
Le but romença
Maj sig le tchirença
Le bute romença
Maj sig le tchirença
Apal chore mamo le hralença
The lyrics of Les Yeux Noirs's song "Trado trado" seem to be in Romani language or what is commonly known as Gypsy language. It starts with "De trado trado", which is a refrain that seems to be repetitive throughout the song. The following lines mention "lungone dromença" which can be translated as a long journey or road, perhaps it refers to the hardships of a nomadic life. The third line "Meg chi reso dade" is difficult to interpret but it might be related to a loss, as "reso" or "resno" means loss or dead in Romani.
The lyrics continue to mention "duj ges mulatino" or "two little mulattos" that were perhaps adopted by the singer or are part of their family or community. They are said to be "pinjaren" or loaned to the singer. The next line mentions a "romano chavo" which is a Romani child. The singer then mentions "Ej de ma devla" or "Oh my God" followed by "duj edjer koroni" or two golden crowns, which might represent something precious that the singer is devoted to. They then say "hot te kerav devlam" or "I'll make a vow to my God" and "hot te kerav muri voja" or "I'll fulfill my destiny".
The last part of the song mentions "Zotar mamo zotar" or "my dear mother" followed by "de kaj me mamo raklo" or "where is my dear father". The singer then mentions a "mulatinav" or mulatto woman and "le but romença" or "good-looking Roma". They also mention "le tchirença" which could mean a dance or a tune. The song ends with "apal chore mamo le hralença" which could either mean "dance, dance mother, the dance of life" or "steal mother, steal the money".
Line by Line Meaning
De trado trado
In a continuous journey
De lungone dromença
On a long road
Meg chi reso dade
I left everything behind
De meg chi reso le praloren
And I left my worries too
Te le pralen reso
They remain behind me
Duj ges mulatino
Two mixed-race
Te pinjaren mande
Hiring me
De kon i la romano chavo
Where is the Roma boy?
Ej de ma devla
I pray to my God
Duj edjer koroni
With a heavy heart
Hot te kerav devlam
Wanting to find my destiny
Hot te kerav muri voja
And to walk my path
Zotar mamo zotar
My mother, my mother
De kaj me mamo raklo
Where is my mother's son?
Feri mure le praloren
Take away my worries
Me piav mulatinav
I dance with mixed-race women
Le but romença
The real Roma people
Maj sig le tchirença
With the sound of coins
Apal chore mamo le hralença
Oh my dear mother, come and dance with us
Contributed by Cooper T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.