Born and brought up in the Democratic Republic of the Congo M'bilia Bel became successful in the mid-1980s when she recorded and toured with Tabu Ley Rochereau, and made her own solo albums. The birth of her first child prompted her to take a break from performing, however, and after a last album with Ley in 1987, she moved to Paris. There she started working with guitarist Rigo Star, and between 1989 and 1990 she went on to tour the United States, the United Kingdom, and West Africa.
She has released 4 albums since 1990. M'bilia continues to wear her crown as Queen of Congolese rumba.
Yamba Ngai
Mbilia Bel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Motema na ngai pembe yamba na mariage
Yamba ngai na bosani banzela nioso
Okoteli na ngai motema
Nzoto na ngai na pesi yo
Mobimba na ngai molimo pen a nzoto
Na pesi yo Mayitavi
The lyrics to Mbilia Bel's song Yamba Ngai are a beautiful representation of love and devotion. The first line, "Yamba ngai na ya maboko polele," translates to "Embrace me gently with your open arms." This line sets the tone for the rest of the song, which follows the singer's plea for her lover to accept her love and devotion. She sings, "Motema na ngai pembe yamba na mariage," which means "My heart is pure, accept my request for marriage."
The next line, "Yamba ngai na bosani banzela nioso," translates to "Embrace me and let us ask for blessings from everyone." The singer is requesting to be able to publicly display their love and commitment to each other, and gain the approval and blessings of those around them. She further declares her love by singing, "Okoteli na ngai motema, nzoto na ngai na pesi yo," which means "My body and soul belong to you."
As the song goes on, the singer continues to express her unwavering love and dedication to her lover, stating "Mobimba na ngai molimo pen a nzoto, na pesi yo Mayitavi," which translates to "My entire being belongs to you, my heart and soul are yours forever." Overall, the song is a beautiful representation of love, devotion, and the desire to publicly declare and celebrate a committed relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Yamba ngai na ya maboko polele
Please take my trembling hand
Motema na ngai pembe yamba na mariage
My heart is pure, let's get married
Yamba ngai na bosani banzela nioso
Help me understand everything
Okoteli na ngai motema
My heart is dependent on you
Nzoto na ngai na pesi yo
My soul belongs to you
Mobimba na ngai molimo pen a nzoto
My love is a sacred calling from my heart
Na pesi yo Mayitavi
I give myself to you, Mayitavi
Contributed by Reagan E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@JulienRocker
**PAROLES / LYRICS **
Yamba ngai oh, na ye maboko polele, motema na nga pembe,
yamba nga na marriage eh
Yamba ngai oh, nabosani banzela nyoso, okoteli nga na motema,
nzoto na nga napesi yo
Mobimba na nga molimo pen a nzoto
Napesi yo, Mayitavi
Natali liboso lisusu natali na sima
nakamati decision Mayitavi
Banda moyi ya lelo natiki liberte na ngai,
namikangi singa na kingo mpona ye
Mayitavi, tala ngai nakati ya misu
tanga oyeba le degree ya amour na ngai
Yamba ngai oh, na ye maboko polele, motema na nga pembe,
yamba nga na marriage eh
Yamba ngai oh, nabosani banzela nyoso, okoteli nga na motema,
nzoto na nga napesi yo
Yamba ngai oh, na ye maboko polele, motema na nga pembe,
yamba nga na marriage eh
Yamba ngai oh, nabosani banzela nyoso, okoteli nga na motema,
nzoto na nga napesi yo
Okamwisi ngai mibali mingi bayela ngai
baluka ngai natali bango pamba
Nakutani nay o se mbala moko otrouble ngai
omarquer ngai Mayitavi
Elili nayo ekomami na se mpo na nga
na moto na ngai lokola cimena
Ata kati ya moyi nazotala nakolota
mobimba ya nzoto nay o amieeee
Lelo tosangani ngai nayo na marriage
liboso ya Nzambe na baboti na biso
Mayi ekokita nga na misu nakomi kolela
na ndimi te te nabali
Nayoki nzoto pio tangu babenisi biso na nganga nzambe
o’embrasser ngai oleli
Mayitavi dès ce jour tu es mon rêve
j’ai placé toute ma vie en toi
Yamba ngai oh, na ye maboko polele, motema na nga pembe,
yamba nga na marriage eh
Yamba ngai oh, nabosani banzela nyoso, okoteli nga na motema,
nzoto na nga napesi yo
Yamba ngai oh, na ye maboko polele, motema na nga pembe,
yamba nga na marriage eh
Yamba ngai oh, nabosani banzela nyoso, okoteli nga na motema,
nzoto na nga napesi yo
@MusicaYvariedades
Desde Cartagena de Indias Colombia un abrazo al pueblo africano, tenemos tanta de su cultura en la nuestra... Dichosos los oídos qué escuchan esta pieza maestra❤ 🇨🇴
@uranusgemini3388
When I was much younger, in my puberty and early teens, in the crowded face me I face you I lived in Amukoko, Agengule, Lagos, Nigeria, there was an IBO man, Oga Cletus, that used to play this and other of this artist's song loudly in big speakers. The memory and emotion this song recalls for me, is more than wonderful. It is like listening to the first song you heard in infancy. Don't even understand the language, but it is superb! Bel, you are great. While knee deep flood was in my room last year in Nigeria, I searched for, downloaded this and other of her songs I know, and repeatedly played them through out the tragic days. My bed was raised on sandbags, several feet above the ground. Bel's songs were so soothing that period, and anytime to me.
@micheleeba212
Cette chanson mon père l'écoutait tout les soirs avant de dormir aujourd'hui qu'il n'est plus je l'écoute avec les larmes aux yeux rip papa tu m manque tellement,🥺
@kapimutombo6222
Sorry
@patricienyamunkana1586
Vraiment, que Dieu lui accorde un repos éternel !!
@gecmab5371
😭😭😭
@nadiapires82
😭😭😭 Rip papa, courage !!
@wentoenoubda2361
Je suis au Burkina Faso, mais, je vous dis, les chansons de cette dame ont bercé notre tendre enfance parce que notre père en était très friand. On est tous tombé dedans ! 😂😂
@adrienncho3375
Je ne comprends pas les paroles , mais c'est ma préférée cette chanson. Je la dedie à tous mes frères ivoirien
@elshaddai2011
Elle parle de deux tourtereaux qui volent en juste noce et qui se prometent devant DIEU et leur amis et parents d.honorer le sacrement du mariage.
La femme dit qu Elle a la paix do Coeur d.etre Marie a l.homne de sa vie