Patrick Saint-Éloi (20 October 1958 – 18 September 2010) was a Guadeloupean… Read Full Bio ↴Patrick Saint-Éloi (20 October 1958 – 18 September 2010) was a Guadeloupean singer and songwriter. He was one of the lead singers of the Zouk band Kassav'. As a solo artist, he helped create zouk, a music genre started by Kassav'. He was also the pioneer of Zouk Love. Saint-Éloi died of cancer in Pointe-à-Pitre in 2010, aged 51.

Maman kréyol
Patrick Saint-Eloi Lyrics

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Maman Kréyol (Patrick St Eloi)

Choeur: Wo ou wo... (3 fwa)
Wo ou wo... (3 fwa)

Bel ti fanm kréyol
Met' men si koté
La vi pa toujou bel

Ho mè mizè pa fè'w tremblé
Dépi soley lévé
Jis tan la line parèt
Ou kouwbé do a tè
Pou ba pitit' manjé (hé y yié - ter)
Ho lov' lov'

Choeur: Wo ou wo... (3 fwa)
Wo ou wo... (3 fwa)

Bel manman kréyol
Met' men si koté
La vi pa toujou bel
Ho mè lanmou ja fè'w tremblé
Dépi soley lévé
Jis tan la line parèt
Ou kouwbé do a tè
Pou ba pitit' manjé (hé y yié - ter)
Ho lov' lov'

Guitaw épi klavié.

Choeur: Ha... (bis)

Sé vou pou ba mwen lov'

Mwen konpren'n a prézan
Sa ki espwa pou mwen
Sé pa lajan; Sé pa bijou; sé vou doudou
Mwen konpren'n a prézan
Sa ki espwa pou mwen
Sé pa lajan; Sé pa bijou; sé vou manman
Jodi la sé an gwan jou
Man viré pou toujou
Jodi la sé an gwan jou
Madras é kolier chou
Ou ka met' an lo soley an tchiè an mwen
Blo...

Guitaw.

Mwen konpren'n a prézan
Sa ki espwa pou mwen
Sé pa lajan; Sé pa bijou; sé vou doudou
Mwen konpren'n a prézan
Sa ki espwa pou mwen
Sé pa lajan; Sé pa bijou; sé vou manman
Jodi la sé yan gwan jou
Man viré pou toujou
Jodi la sé an gwan jou
Madras é kolier chou
Jodi la ni plis' lanmou an tchiè an mwen
Jodi la sé flè mwen poté baw manman ou wo wo wo
Dolda... Dolda... wa...

Klavié.

Ecrit par Goodman972.

Overall Meaning

"Maman Kréyol" is a song by the late Haitian musician Patrick Saint-Eloi. The song is about a Creole mother who has gone through hardship and struggle but remains strong and beautiful. The chorus, "Wo ou wo," is a traditional Caribbean call-and-response phrase that adds a cultural flair to the song.

The song starts with the choir singing, "Bel ti fanm kréyol met men si koté, la vi pa toujou bel." This translates to "Beautiful Creole woman, hold your head up high, life isn't always beautiful." The song acknowledges the struggles that people face in life but encourages them to remain strong and persevere through hardship. The lyrics highlight the importance of family and love: "Sé vou pou ba mwen lov', sé vou manman." This means, "You are the one who gives me love, you are my mother."

The song contains a simple guitar and keyboard accompaniment, which allows the lyrics and melody to be the focus. The repetition of the chorus adds to the song's catchy rhythm and emphasizes the message of the song. The use of Creole language is significant in this song as it highlights the cultural diversity of the Caribbean and the importance of language preservation.

Line by Line Meaning

Bel ti fanm kréyol
Beautiful Creole woman

Met' men si koté
Put your hands on your hips

La vi pa toujou bel
Life isn't always beautiful

Ho mè mizè pa fè'w tremblé
But poverty won't make you tremble

Dépi soley lévé
Since the sun has risen

Jis tan la line parèt
Until the horizon appears

Ou kouwbé do a tè
You bend over to the ground

Pou ba pitit' manjé (hé y yié - ter)
To feed your children (hey y yeah - ter)

Ho lov' lov'
Oh love love

Bel manman kréyol
Beautiful Creole mother

Sé vou pou ba mwen lov'
It's you who will give me love