His music was inspired by the five years he spent in Cameroon during the Nigerian Civil War in the late 1960's. He played the xylophone, conga, drums, and electric guitar in school bands and he made his professional debut as a member of a hotel band, the Melody Orchestra, in 1970.
Although he only recorded one significant hit, "Sweet Mother," in 1976, which sold more than 13 million copies (and which is recognised as one of Africa's greatest songs), Mbarga played an important role in the evolution of African popular music. With his soulful vocals set to the light melodies of his acoustic guitar, Mbarga created a unique hybrid of Igbo and Congolese guitar playing and uplifting highlife rhythms. He formed his own group, Rocafil Jazz, to perform regularly at the Naza Hotel in the eastern Nigerian city of Onitsha.
After releasing a disappointing single in 1973, Mbarga and Rocafil Jazz had their first success with their second single, I No Go Marry My Papa, which became a regional hit. The band's inability to break past their local following resulted in their recording contract being dropped by EMI, a decision that proved ill-fortuned when the band signed with Rogers All Stars, a Nigerian recording company based in Onitsha, and recorded "Sweet Mother".[1]
Sung in Pidgin English, "Sweet Mother" became one of the top sellers in the history of Nigerian music. In the six years that Mbarga and Rocafil Jazz remained with Rogers All Stars, 1975 to 1981, they recorded nine albums.
Temporarily relocating to England in 1982, Mbarga became known for his flamboyant, 1970s glam rock-inspired performances. While he continued to appear with Rocafil Jazz, Mbarga also performed with London-based highlife band the Ivory Coasters and Cameroonian vocalist Louisiana Tilda. Despite launching his own Polydor-distributed record label, upon returning to Nigeria, Mbarga and the original members of Rocafil Jazz separated after several Cameroon-born members were deported. Although he later formed the New Rocafil Jazz Band, Mbarga failed to match his early success. Leaving music, he turned his attention to managing the two hotels that he owned, Hotel Calbar and the Sweet Mother Hotel.
Prince Nico Mbarga was killed in a motorcycle accident on June 24, 1997, leaving behind "Sweet Mother" as the most popular song amongst Nigerians[1]. Sweet Mother is sometimes called Africa's anthem and has been voted Africa's favourite song by BBC readers and listeners.
Sweet Mother
Prince Nico Mbarga & Rocafil Jazz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sweet mother
Sweet mother, I no go forget you
For dey suffer we you suffer for me, yeah
Sweet mother, I no go forget you
For dey suffer we you suffer for me, yeah
She go say my pikin wetin you dey cry, yeah, yeah
Stop stop, stop stop, stop stop
Make you no cry again oo
When I wan sleep, my mother go pet me
She go lie me well-well for bed
She go cover me cloth say make you sleep
Sleep sleep my pikin oooo
When I dey hungry, my mom go run up and down
She dey find me something we I go chop
Sweet mother, eeeeee, sweet mother oooo, eee
When I dey sick, my mother go cry cry cry
She go say instead wey I go die make she die
She go beg God, God help me, God help me, my pikin oo
If I no sleep, my mother no go sleep
If I no chop, my mother no go chop
She no dey tire ooo
Sweet mother, I no go forget dey suffer wey you suffer for me yeah, yeah
Sweet mother, eee
Sweet mother, oooo, eee
You fit get another wife
You fit get another husband
But you fit get another mother? No
When I dey hungry, my mom go run up and down
She dey find me something we I go chop
Sweet mother aaa, sweet mother oooo, eee
When I dey sick, my mother go cry cry cry
She go say instead wey I go die make she die
She go beg God, God help me, God help me, my pikin oo
If I no sleep, my mother no go sleep
If I no chop, my mother no go chop
She no dey tire ooo
Sweet mother, I no go forget dey suffer wey you suffer for me yeah, yeah
Sweet mother, aaa
Sweet mother, eee, ooo
Sweet mother, aaa
Sweet mother, eee, ooo
The lyrics to Prince Nico Mbarga's song Sweet Mother describe the unconditional love and sacrifices of a mother for her child. The singer expresses his gratitude towards his mother for all that she has done for him. He acknowledges that she suffered a lot for him and that he will never forget that. The lyrics describe how his mother comforted him when he was crying, how she took care of him when he was sick, how she fed him when he was hungry, and how she stayed awake when he couldn't sleep. The singer also acknowledges that a mother's love is irreplaceable and that there is no substitute for it.
The lyrics reflect the African cultural ideals of family and the importance of the mother in the family. It is a tribute to motherhood, and the lyrics convey an emotional message that strikes a chord with listeners around the world. It is a song that celebrates the special bond between a mother and her child and highlights the sacrifices that mothers make for their children.
Overall, the lyrics to Sweet Mother reflect the universal love and appreciation for mothers, and the sacrifices that a mother makes for her child throughout their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Sweet mother, I no go forget you
Dear mother, I will always remember your love and sacrifice.
For dey suffer we you suffer for me, yeah
You endured hardship and pain for me; you took on my struggles as your own.
When I dey cry, my mother go carry me
Whenever I cried, my mother would hold me and ask me what's wrong, then reassure me and stop my tears.
She go say my pikin wetin you dey cry, yeah, yeah
She would ask why I was crying and try to soothe me gently.
Stop stop, stop stop, stop stop
Make you no cry again oo
She would tell me to stop crying and comfort me, making me feel safe and loved again.
When I wan sleep, my mother go pet me
When I wanted to sleep, she would tuck me in, pet me gently and comfort me until I fell asleep.
She go lie me well-well for bed
She would make sure I was comfortable and slept soundly.
She go cover me cloth say make you sleep
Sleep sleep my pikin oooo
She would cover me with blankets and tell me to sleep, calling me affectionately 'my child.'
When I dey hungry, my mom go run up and down
She dey find me something we I go chop
Whenever I was hungry, she would rush to find something for me to eat, even when it was not easy to do so.
Sweet mother, eeeeee, sweet mother oooo, eee
My dear mother, you are so sweet and caring, and I appreciate all that you do for me.
When I dey sick, my mother go cry cry cry
She go say instead wey I go die make she die
She go beg God, God help me, God help me, my pikin oo
When I was sick, my mother would cry and pray for me, begging God to spare me and take away her own life instead.
If I no sleep, my mother no go sleep
If I no chop, my mother no go chop
She no dey tire ooo
My mother would stay awake and worry if I couldn't sleep, making sure I eat well and never giving up on me.
You fit get another wife
You fit get another husband
But you fit get another mother? No
You can find another spouse, but you can never replace your mother's love and care.
Sweet mother aaa, sweet mother oooo, eee
My wonderful mother, you are so sweet and loving, and I thank God for you every day.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Nicholas Mbarga
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sebastianbahler9257
in first place we all human
we all one
but if im listen to music like this
im feel exact like that
im so proud that sweet sounds is fucking black afrikan Music💪🏽😤😏👌🏽
you can feel the freedome in guitarists finger
you feel me😉👍🏽
wish yu only the best
all the way from Europa❤️
@mialadyy7175
His mother is NIGERIAN 💚💛💛. His father is from Cameroon 💚💛💚. Prince Nico Mbarga (R.I.P) was killed in a motorcycle accident on June 24, 1997, leaving behind "Sweet Mother" as the most popular song amongst Africans and their descendants worldwide. Sweet Mother is sometimes called Africa's anthem and has been voted Africa's favourite song by BBC readers and listeners. Beautiful Song!
Thanks to our Sweet Mothers, Sweet Mother Africa, Sweet Mother Earth for taking care of all of us. Sending my love to everyone enjoying this music. Call you Mum and Dad today and tell them how much you love them. Peace and Joy to you all. Keep loving and smiling. Thanks for posting this Beautiful Song!
@tegajohannesoghoro9142
Mia Ladyy he died on my birthday:(
@salifukuipoharrison9967
Tega Johannes Oghoro
@sallaysheriff
Tega Johannes Oghoro im so sorry
@mabawonkubabatunde606
Take this to appreciate your patience
@diegorestrepo455
Paulo González Brun deberías tener en cuenta este comentario, y porfa también traduce está hermosa canción, gracias.
@Ghosthttps
Im a MMA FIGHTER originally from Vameroon who went to France then homeless in USA. I remember my mom used to put this song in the car every morning while bringing me to school. At first I didn't know any of these words, now that Im adult and listen to it makes me realise the chance of getting a Sweet Mother. Today I may be homeless, sick , sad, hungry etc... but I wake up to fight for my SWEET MOTHER get a better life, and be proud of me.
I am FRANCIS NGOUFANG and one day I will make her proud as a Queen.
@princeharis1412
My late mom's favorite music😢
Listening to it in 2024✌️
@kayibandadoemba4304
I am from Liberia, West Africa. Every time I listened to this music, I shared tears heavily for my mother who left this world when she went to delivered with me in the hospital. I came on earth as a living being and she passed away in the delivery room. My father mother cared for me from the hospital and she is my mother that brought me up and took care of me as her own.
Thanks for our sweet mothers who took good care of us even when it was impossible to provide our daily meals, they make the impossible possible!
Pince Niko, may your soul rest in perpetual peace under we all meet one day!
@robertobi-cj1ns
Its painful my dear. Mothers are special