Lokua Kanza was born Pascal Lokua Kanza in 1958 in Bukavu, in the province of Kivu, in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is the eldest of eight children, with a Mongo father and a Tutsi mother from Rwanda. In 1964, the family went to live in Kinshasa (Congo's capital) in a middle class area, until the day when Pascal's father, a ship's captain, died. His mother then moved to a much poorer area of the city, and Lokua, the eldest, had to work to feed the family. He therefore went to school part time, and took odd jobs, as well as singing in churches. Lokua Kanza sings in French, Lingala, and English.
Don't Tell Me
Lokua Kanza Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
will there ever come a day?
will you ever let me go?
Don't Tell Me you don't know
someday
some fine day will you let me care for you?
why make me wait until tomorrow
let me stand or fall
Don't Tell Me you don't know
Don't Tell Me you don't know
Don't Tell Me you don't know
Don't Tell Me you don't know
someday
when I've given my pride away
and I'm a fool who patiently did wait
to hear you call my name
someday
before I've waited far too long
while my passion and my love
still grow so strong
Don't say you don't know
Don't Tell Me you don't know
Don't Tell Me you don't know
Don't Tell Me you don't know
Koloba te yo oyebi te - ndenge motema na ngai
emonaka pasi
koloba te yo oyebi te - ndenge lolango
ndenge lolango na ngai esalaka pasi dit
ndenge motema na ngai esalaka pasi
oyebi
nasala boni
eloko oyo lolango nasala boni baninga
In Lokua Kanza's song Don't Tell Me, the singer is expressing their desire to know if the person they're addressing will ever reciprocate their feelings. The lyrics suggest that the singer has been waiting for this person and that their love continues to grow stronger. The repeated refrain "Don't Tell Me you don't know" serves to highlight the singer's frustration with the uncertainty of their situation. The lyrics also suggest that the singer is willing to risk everything and stand or fall based on this person's response.
Overall, the song conveys a sense of longing and vulnerability as the singer grapples with their feelings and seeks some sort of resolution. The repetition of the refrain helps to emphasize the emotional weight of the situation and the urgency of the singer's plea.
Line by Line Meaning
Someday
One day, in the future
will there ever come a day?
Will that day ever come?
will you ever let me go?
Will you ever release me from this feeling?
Don't Tell Me you don't know
Don't deny that you understand
someday
Again, one day in the future
some fine day will you let me care for you?
Will you allow me the opportunity to care for you?
why make me wait until tomorrow
Why delay this possibility?
set me free now
Release me from this uncertainty
let me stand or fall
Allow me to experience the good or bad consequences
Don't Tell Me you don't know
Again, don't deny that you understand
someday
Once more, one day in the future
when I've given my pride away
When I have let go of my ego
and I'm a fool who patiently did wait
And I'm foolish for waiting so patiently
to hear you call my name
Just to hear you say my name
before I've waited far too long
Before it's too late for me to act
while my passion and my love
As my love and desire
still grow so strong
Continuously strengthen
Don't say you don't know
Again, don't deny that you understand
Koloba te yo oyebi te - ndenge motema na ngai
Don't say you don't know - what's in my heart
emonaka pasi
That signal is there
koloba te yo oyebi te - ndenge lolango
Don't say you don't know - what's in my mind
ndenge lolango na ngai esalaka pasi dit
My thoughts on this matter are very clear
ndenge motema na ngai esalaka pasi
My heart is very clear
oyebi
You know
nasala boni
I beg of you
eloko oyo lolango nasala boni baninga
I plead with you not to deny it
Writer(s): Natalie Merchant, Lokua Kanza
Contributed by Hannah K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@donignonhaidasoro601
Merci Papa Lokua ! Cette chanson m'a toujours émue et aujourd'hui j'en découvre le texte! Restes béni ! 🥲
@yolylov7614
this song bring back a lot of memories. it is amazing!
@edgardodiaz7870
Muy bonita canción. Saludos desde Chile.
@angelicagabriellabjrnestad3980
Beautiful song!
@jambotv7672
Finally, I find this song 🥹OMG it bring back memories
@andreegodia5716
Orr qu'est-ce que j'adore ça m'apaise tellement ❤️❤️❤️
@MONDIRO226
Un grammy pour cette chanson t'es d'accord ou pas ?
@premieredame5122
La douceur de la voix
@ericloma9029
Trop fort c'est l'histoire d'une vie cette chanson
@michelberlys4045
quel chef d'oeuvre