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.
Good bye
Lokua Kanza Lyrics
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Good bye, good bye mummy and daddy
Good bye, good bye mummy and daddy
Sorry, sorry, sorry if I make you cry
Good bye, good bye mummy and daddy
I think is time for me to fly to another sky
Good bye, good bye mummy and daddy
Good bye, good bye mummy and daddy
All I want to say thank you for your precious love
Good bye, good bye mummy and daddy
Good bye, good bye mummy and daddy
Mwana akomi moto, ako pumbua likolo
Lokola ndeke, yo moboti pesa ye nguya anana
Na nguya ya nzambe akokoma oh akokoma
Goodbye
Good bye, good bye mummy and daddy
Good bye, good bye mummy and daddy
Mokili ango esalama bongo
Moto na moto na ngonga na ye
Lelo ozalaki mwana, lobi okomi nobange
Kasi pesa baninga pe chance
Chance bakola, bakoma bato
Goodbye
Good bye, good bye mummy and daddy
Good bye, good bye mummy and daddy
Ngaï wana nakokende bayama
The lyrics of Lokua Kanza's song Good bye are about the singer bidding farewell to their parents. The repetition of "good bye" emphasizes the singer's acknowledgement of their imminent departure. The singer expresses remorse in making their parents cry and says that it's time for them to fly to another sky. Despite the pain of leaving, the singer expresses gratitude towards their parents for their love. The bridge of the song is spoken in Lingala, a language spoken in the Congo, which adds another layer of cultural significance to the song. The words roughly translate to "the child is now a flame, they light up the world like a bird, you give them wings to fly, with God's grace."
The song's poignant lyrics and melody make it a beautiful tribute to loving parents. The use of repetition adds emphasis to the emotion behind the singer's farewell. Furthermore, the introduction of Lingala lends cultural authenticity to the song, as Lokua Kanza is from the Congo himself. The overall message of the song is an appreciation for the parental love that the singer received, as well as a humble recognition of the singer's own growth and upcoming journey.
Line by Line Meaning
Good bye, good bye mummy and daddy
The singer is bidding farewell to their parents.
Sorry, sorry, sorry if I make you cry
The singer apologizes for any pain they may have caused their parents.
I think is time for me to fly to another sky
The singer feels it is time for them to move on to a new phase of life.
All I want to say thank you for your precious love
The artist expresses gratitude for their parents' love and support.
Mwana akomi moto, ako pumbua likolo
The child becomes an adult and opens up new horizons.
Lokola ndeke, yo moboti pesa ye nguya anana
Like a bird learning to fly, the child needs their parents' guidance.
Na nguya ya nzambe akokoma oh akokoma
With the support of God, the child will thrive.
Mokili ango esalama bongo
The world is big and full of opportunities.
Moto na moto na ngonga na ye
People and their cultures are diverse.
Lelo ozalaki mwana, lobi okomi nobange
Today the artist is still a child, but tomorrow they will have to face the real world.
Kasi pesa baninga pe chance
But there are chances and opportunities to be seized.
Chance bakola, bakoma bato
Those who take the chances can succeed and become leaders.
Ngaï wana nakokende bayama
The singer is leaving and says goodbye.
Writer(s): Kanza Lokua
Contributed by Sadie T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.