In 1989, at age 22, Bona moved to Paris and soon began working with such leading French musicians as violinist Didier Lockwood and bassist Marc Ducret as well as such African stars as Manu Dibango and Salif Keita. During his seven years in Paris, Richard refined his writing skills while further immersing himself in the music of jazz greats like Miles Davis, Chet Baker and Ben Webster.
Since arriving in New York in 1995, bassist-vocalist-composer Richard Bona has been one of the most sought-after talents on the scene.
Sweet Mary
Richard Bona Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
N'do si bi wèni o mala no
Londo lé ndé boso di titi mbusa
N'do biya wèni o ma dangwa no na
Nin mboa ngo nyé ndé mboa su mo
Bongwa so mo na nginya é A muna ndéngè
Mo yoé ndutu mba
Nin mboa ngo nyé ndé mboa su mo
mo yoé yé mba é senga lambo é
Ah té mba ndé mola
Longè mo léndé o londo kwala
Hmm mol'Emmanu, sénga lambo
Ah té mba ndé mola
Longè mo léndé o londo kwala
Ebolo é ma bo O'i ma solo ndabo
Ndé kè mbia mwé o njégèlè wa (Lu lu lu)
O bè pè tè so moto nu bi longè
Kè wa bongwa mbia mongo é (lu lu lu)
Nin mboa ngo nyé ndé mboa su mo
Wapè bongwa so mo na nginya é
A muna ndéngè (mo yoé ndutu mba o)
Nin mboa ngo nyé ndé mboa su mo
Wapè bongwa so mo na nginya È
A muna ndéngè (mo yoé yénè, nin nyèn nya nginya)
(Ah té mba ndé mola
Longè mo léndé o londo kwala)
Emmanu é o sénga lambo
(Ah té mba ndé mola
Longè mo léndé o londo kwala)
Na, di ni ya no tungè to moto a titi
A sango'a masoki o tomb'sè lambo o
Bona Tétè, ndutu é ma bwa dubè
Botéa na wèngè, o titi to lambo
Ain't nobody … Ain't nobody …Ain't nobody
Na, di ni ya no tungè to moto a titi ndabo
A sango'a masoki o tomb'sè lambo o
Bona Tétè, ndutu é ma bwa dubè
Botéa na wèngè, o titi to lambo
Ain't nobody… Ain't nobody… Ain't nobody
(Na mary), na mary wa (wa no tukwé)
Emmanu, o si tuko tè mola I to bunya
(Sweet Mary) i mama Mary (wèlisanè) mama
Mambo ma longè mé no nika
O mèndè wèlisanè mba
Na mala Jédu mbalè
Na ma timba Jédu
Na mala Jédu mbalè
Na ma timba Jédu mbalè
Muto na bana mbongo wènguè
Ba timbi wolo wa, ba timbi tuba mila
Makom na mbia mwèssè wènguè
Mu linganè wa, sè lambo bobé i wèkè
Na mala Jédu mbalè na
Na ma timba Jédu woko mba
Na mala Jédu mbalé mboa sango'a mié
Na ma timba Jédu
The lyrics in Richard Bona's song Sweet Mary (Everyone Has a Choice) speak of the importance of making choices in life. The song starts off with an African proverb that translates to "everyone has a choice." The verses continue to emphasize individual choices by exploring the consequences of different options. The lyrics also touch on the idea of destiny and how personal choices shape one's fate. The chorus repeats the name "Mary" along with the phrase "Sweet Mary," which can be interpreted as an affirmation of the power and sweetness of making the right choices.
The song features a mix of English and Cameroonian Pidgin English, as well as traditional African rhythms and instrumentation. The lyrics showcase Bona's linguistic versatility, as he effortlessly switches between languages and infuses the melody with his signature blend of jazz, world music, and African influences.
Line by Line Meaning
O dangwa bosso o dangwa mbusa
The king and the slave both have the ability to make choices
N'do si bi wèni o mala no
It's up to each individual to choose their own path
Londo lé ndé boso di titi mbusa
No matter what path you choose, you still have the ability to make choices
N'do biya wèni o ma dangwa no na
Your choices shape your journey
Nin mboa ngo nyé ndé mboa su mo
We all come from different places and have different experiences
Bongwa so mo na nginya é A muna ndéngè
But we can all come together and find common ground
Mo yoé ndutu mba
We can find unity and understanding
Wapè bongwa so mo na nginya é A muna ndéngè
When we come together, we can create a better future
mo yoé yé mba é senga lambo é
And we can do so with strength and resilience
Ah té mba ndé mola
Oh, how we need love
Longè mo léndé o londo kwala
To create a world full of peace and harmony
Hmm mol'Emmanu, sénga lambo
We need the spirit of Emmanu, the strength of a lion
Ebolo é ma bo O'i ma solo ndabo
We must work together, we cannot do it alone
Ndé kè mbia mwé o njégèlè wa (Lu lu lu)
Only together can we overcome the challenges we face
O bè pè tè so moto nu bi longè
We must build a better world for the future generations
Kè wa bongwa mbia mongo é (lu lu lu)
And we can only do so if we work together
Na, di ni ya no tungè to moto a titi
We must teach the youth to make wise choices
A sango'a masoki o tomb'sè lambo o
To avoid the pitfalls that come with bad choices
Bona Tétè, ndutu é ma bwa dubè
Let's follow the example of Bona Tete and choose wisely
Botéa na wèngè, o titi to lambo
Let us all come together and choose the path of strength
Ain't nobody … Ain't nobody …Ain't nobody
No one can make your choices for you
(Na mary), na mary wa (wa no tukwé)
This song is dedicated to Mary, the mother of all
Emmanu, o si tuko tè mola I to bunya
Emmanu, give us strength and peace in our hearts
(Sweet Mary) i mama Mary (wèlisanè) mama
Sweet Mary, mother of all
Mambo ma longè mé no nika
Your love and guidance will always be with us
O mèndè wèlisanè mba
And we will honor your love
Na mala Jédu mbalè
In the name of Jesus
Na ma timba Jédu
We will follow the path of Jesus
Muto na bana mbongo wènguè
All of us, young and old
Ba timbi wolo wa, ba timbi tuba mila
From all corners of the world
Makom na mbia mwèssè wènguè
We speak different languages
Mu linganè wa, sè lambo bobé i wèkè
But we all share the same spirit of strength and love
Na mala Jédu mbalè na
In the name of Jesus
Na ma timba Jédu woko mba
We will follow the path of Jesus
Na mala Jédu mbalé mboa sango'a mié
In the name of Jesus, we will choose wisely
Na ma timba Jédu
And follow the path of love and strength
Writer(s): Richard Bona
Contributed by Owen A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jonesdean6300
Was around 11 yo when got exposed to his music. I was just like a normal kid in Cameroon, listening to the stuffs they feed you with on TV, Radio, Entre Nous Jeunes etc.
Then I asked '' Damn! Who's the guy singing ''?
Later, when my parents asked me what I wanted for my birthday gift, I said '' An Original CD of Richard Bona's music '.
I can't forget the way they looked at me that day😂. As if I wasn't a normal kid😂😂😂.
Then my mom❤ brought me an Original copy of '' Scenes From My Life '' album dedicaced by the Master himself, reminding me it was just a loan😂.
Since then, his music has been the food for my Soul.
I thank the EXISTENCE for Richard Bona's life❤❤❤
@sandydawkins4real
BELEIVE IT OR NOT this song saved my lived and I don't even understand any word.....❤
@Watusiworld
Bless u, bless us all ❤
@sergebillong6824
The best way to appreciate his music is not to understand the lyrics❤
@sandydawkins4real
@@sergebillong6824 for real!
@falonedjuissi8886
@@Watusiworld \
@ZENSIBLE
Great!
Now.
Please save Orthography!
@jonesdean6300
Was around 11 yo when got exposed to his music. I was just like a normal kid in Cameroon, listening to the stuffs they feed you with on TV, Radio, Entre Nous Jeunes etc.
Then I asked '' Damn! Who's the guy singing ''?
Later, when my parents asked me what I wanted for my birthday gift, I said '' An Original CD of Richard Bona's music '.
I can't forget the way they looked at me that day😂. As if I wasn't a normal kid😂😂😂.
Then my mom❤ brought me an Original copy of '' Scenes From My Life '' album dedicaced by the Master himself, reminding me it was just a loan😂.
Since then, his music has been the food for my Soul.
I thank the EXISTENCE for Richard Bona's life❤❤❤
@t.kayoung5304
❤️❤️❤️😂😂😂😂 You were really an Amazing Kid aswear ....see the age you started listening to Richard Bona
@herbertnibacheo9381
I heard that for the song "Souleymane", Richard Bona played all the instruments by himself. I felt that was an amazing feat. But seeing him in this performance, I see why just his just his vocal work is a studio mixer of its own. Great!
@memenk3243
La Legende vivante. 🇨🇲🇨🇲❤