Oumou's latest album "Seya",(Joy) released in 2009,has taken around two or three years to come to fruition. "I choose my songs very carefully. I learn how to put them across first on the stage." Her music is bold, seductive, funky and vibrant, but it's her lyrics that open people's eyes. "For me, the lyrics are more important than the melody. I write almost all my own words. I also perform the classics of Malian tradition. I draw a lot of inspiration from what happens in society. As soon as I see or feel something, I write it down. I say what I want, and what I think, because I am a free woman. I believe that my music has had an impact on the life of African women." "It's true that when I sing it's joyful but in amongst that joy I always take the opportunity to slip in messages that educate my nation."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oumou_Sangare
Moussolou
Oumou Sangare Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ô, Femmes.
Ô, Femmes du Mali.
Ô, Femmes de l'Afrique.
C'est bien que vous travailliez pour votre pays.
Je parle aux femmes, quoi que vous fassiez
dans ce monde,
bénis.
Je parle aux femmes, mes sœurs à la maison,
Qu'elles respectent raisonnablement le mariage.
Nos enfants seront bénis,
Je parle aux femmes, mes sœurs.
Si vous êtes policières, travaillez honnêtement
suivant la loi,
les gens auront confiance en vous, ô Seigneur!
Je m'adresse aux douanières,
les femmes qui travaillent au dédouanement, qu'elles
traitent honnêtement les commerçants suivant
la loi. Votre pays vous sera reconnaissant.
Je parle aux femmes, mes sœurs,
Si vous êtes policières, traitez les gens
honnêtement, suivant la loi, Seigneur!
Votre pays vous sera reconnaissant.
Je parle aux couples concernant leur mariage,
les couples qui voudraient se marier aujourd'hui.
N'arrangez pas votre mariage avec de belles
paroles seulement,
parce que ce genre de mariage certes durera,
mais pas pour longtemps.
Ne traitez pas le mariage comme une robe longue
et mettez-la au rebut au moment où vous vous fatiguez d'elle.
Hommes du Mali, Femmes du Mali.
Que nous respectons en commun le mariage,
le mariage est une bonne chose, ô Seigneur!
Je salue les femmes, mes sœurs, bonsoir, je
salue les femmes.
Femmes, ayez du cœur dans votre boulot,
chacune a son propre potentiel.
Sœurs, bonsoir.
Je salue les pêcheurs, les agriculteurs,
bonsoir.
Je salue les éleveurs, ô Seigneur.
Frères, bonsoir.
Les gens têtus n'écoutent pas mes conseils.
Frères et sœurs, bonsoir.
Je salue les musiciens, ô Seigneur!
Frères, bonsoir.
A chacun son jour, Seigneur.
Frères, bonsoir.
Je salue Mariam*, Mariam, bonsoir.
Mariam, la puissance de Balla Moussa, ma sœur,
bonsoir.
Mariam, partisane des femmes,
Mariam, bonsoir.
Mariam, espoir des "enfants" du Mali,
ma sœur, bonsoir.
Femmes de l'U.N.F.M.*
C'est bien de travailler pour son pays.
Femmes de l'Afrique! C'est bien de travailler pour
son pays.
Femmes de la Côte d'Ivoire! C'est bien de travailler pour
son pays.
Femmes de l'Afrique! C'est bien de travailler pour
son pays.
Femmes du Sénégal! C'est bien de travailler pour
son pays.
*Mariam: présidente honoraire de l'Union
Nationale des Femmes Maliennes (U.N.F.M.)
In Oumou Sangare's song Moussolou, she speaks directly to the women of Mali and Africa as a whole, exhorting them to work for their country and to respect marriage. The song addresses women in different professions, from those who work as police officers to those in customs and trade, encouraging them to work honestly and diligently so as to gain the trust of others. She implores all women to treat their marriages with respect and not to enter into them based on superficial attractions, but rather with a deeper understanding and commitment.
One of the key themes of the song is the respect and appreciation of women and their role in contributing to the growth and development of their country. Oumou speaks highly of Mariam, the president of the Union Nationale des Femmes Maliennes, who tirelessly worked to promote women's rights and represents the hope of the "children" of Mali. The song is a call to action for women, reminding them of their potential and encouraging them to seize the opportunities around them.
Line by Line Meaning
Ô, Femmes.
O Women.
Ô, Femmes du Mali.
O Women of Mali.
Ô, Femmes de l'Afrique.
O Women of Africa.
C'est bien que vous travailliez pour votre pays.
It is good that you work for your country.
Je parle aux femmes, quoi que vous fassiez dans ce monde, Que nous respectons le mariage, nos enfants seront bénis.
I speak to women, whatever you do in this world, that we respect marriage, our children will be blessed.
Je parle aux femmes, mes sœurs à la maison, Qu'elles respectent raisonnablement le mariage. Nos enfants seront bénis, Je parle aux femmes, mes sœurs.
I speak to women, my sisters at home, that they moderately respect marriage. Our children will be blessed. I speak to women, my sisters.
Si vous êtes policières, travaillez honnêtement suivant la loi, les gens auront confiance en vous, ô Seigneur!
If you are policewomen, work honestly in accordance with the law, people will have confidence in you, O Lord!
Je m'adresse aux douanières, les femmes qui travaillent au dédouanement, qu'elles traitent honnêtement les commerçants suivant la loi. Votre pays vous sera reconnaissant.
I address customs officers, women who work in customs clearance, that they treat merchants honestly in accordance with the law. Your country will be grateful.
Je parle aux femmes, mes sœurs, Si vous êtes policières, traitez les gens honnêtement, suivant la loi, Seigneur! Votre pays vous sera reconnaissant.
I speak to women, my sisters, if you are policewomen, treat people honestly in accordance with the law, O Lord! Your country will be grateful.
Je parle aux couples concernant leur mariage, les couples qui voudraient se marier aujourd'hui. N'arrangez pas votre mariage avec de belles paroles seulement, parce que ce genre de mariage certes durera, mais pas pour longtemps. Ne traitez pas le mariage comme une robe longue et mettez-la au rebut au moment où vous vous fatiguez d'elle.
I speak to couples regarding their marriage, couples who want to get married today. Don't arrange your marriage with beautiful words alone, because this kind of marriage will certainly last, but not for long. Don't treat marriage like a long dress and discard it when you get tired of it.
Hommes du Mali, Femmes du Mali. Que nous respectons en commun le mariage, le mariage est une bonne chose, ô Seigneur!
Men of Mali, Women of Mali. That we collectively respect marriage, marriage is a good thing, O Lord!
Je salue les femmes, mes sœurs, bonsoir, je salue les femmes. Femmes, ayez du cœur dans votre boulot, chacune a son propre potentiel. Sœurs, bonsoir.
I salute women, my sisters, good evening, I salute women. Women, be heartfelt in your work, everyone has their own potential. Sisters, good evening.
Je salue les pêcheurs, les agriculteurs, bonsoir. Je salue les éleveurs, ô Seigneur. Frères, bonsoir.
I salute the fishermen, the farmers, good evening. I salute the breeders, O Lord. Brothers, good evening.
Les gens têtus n'écoutent pas mes conseils. Frères et sœurs, bonsoir.
Stubborn people don't listen to my advice. Brothers and sisters, good evening.
Je salue les musiciens, ô Seigneur! Frères, bonsoir.
I salute the musicians, O Lord! Brothers, good evening.
A chacun son jour, Seigneur. Frères, bonsoir.
To each his own day, Lord. Brothers, good evening.
Je salue Mariam*, Mariam, bonsoir. Mariam, la puissance de Balla Moussa, ma sœur, bonsoir. Mariam, partisane des femmes, Mariam, bonsoir. Mariam, espoir des "enfants" du Mali, ma sœur, bonsoir.
I salute Mariam, Mariam, good evening. Mariam, the power of Balla Moussa, my sister, good evening. Mariam, supporter of women, Mariam, good evening. Mariam, hope of the children of Mali, my sister, good evening.
Femmes de l'U.N.F.M.* C'est bien de travailler pour son pays. Femmes de l'Afrique! C'est bien de travailler pour son pays. Femmes de la Côte d'Ivoire! C'est bien de travailler pour son pays. Femmes de l'Afrique! C'est bien de travailler pour son pays. Femmes du Sénégal! C'est bien de travailler pour son pays.
Women of the U.N.F.M. It is good to work for one's country. Women of Africa! It is good to work for one's country. Women of the Ivory Coast! It is good to work for one's country. Women of Africa! It is good to work for one's country. Women of Senegal! It is good to work for one's country.
Writer(s): OUMOU SANGARE
Contributed by Carson J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mashudu5157
I'm from South Africa🇿🇦... this song reminds me of my late uncle when I was growing up in the mid 90's😰😢😢...
He loved African music sooo much because he was a history teacher in the rural areas. So this kind of music, including all African legends like Salif Keita, Papa Wemba, Mariam Makeba, Jabu Khanyile, etc... funny thing is he couldn't really understand the lyrics (of non-South African artists) of the songs, but he would sing word for word. He would come back from work on a Friday, at that time there was no electricity in my village (he used to own a battery radio, oh Lord how I wish there were Cameras around🙌🙏💔), he would call me and my friends to his house (immediate next door to my home)... he would dance would dance with us all, the joy in his face was a sight to behold, that's what made me fall in love with this kind of music. He would be busy dancing and saying loudly, "listen to such and such and such instrument", then he would imitate that instrument🥺🙌... his soul will continue to rest in peace🙏❤💔.
@waleabdulhamid4522
Woooo...what a story!
Life is truly ephemeral, I believe the best to live is to do everything with love in our hearts....and things we don't love we shouldn't waste time on them, historical inquistion led me to African music too and I now I can't listen to any other genre of music save ones by artistes you mentioned above and others that sing genuinely African..
May the soul of your uncle be in eternal repose.
@mashudu5157
@@waleabdulhamid4522 thanks a lot man🙏🙏🙏... this type of music is sooo deep it just sincs with your soul and vibrations
@jadakess
The song is about women empowerment
@omariomariomario1194
@@waleabdulhamid4522 آمين
Your words are so powerful and inspiring.
May Allah grant his uncle mercy and forgiveness.
@babaissahzakari6318
Wow thts a great story
@neaminab8786
Sitting in East Africa, Ethiopia, am listening to this marvelous singer @2021. What a voice, what a captivating tune!! Love ya 🇲🇱 people
@fantamaguiraga1383
It’s from Mali 🇲🇱
@hadizaabubakar8691
I had tears in my eye as i listened to this song . reminds me so much of my childhood days in nigeria .my mum loved her so much and we all learnt the lyrics without knowing the meaning of the song. I just stumbled on this and I will listen to this beautiful song everyday .
@yobingsaurora755
Hadiza Abubakar Nigeria send it’s love.