Santana is a Latin music and rock band formed in San Francisco, California … Read Full Bio ↴Santana is a Latin music and rock band formed in San Francisco, California in 1966 by Mexican-American guitarist Carlos Santana. The band came to public attention with their performance of "Soul Sacrifice" at Woodstock in 1969. This exposure helped propel their first album, also named Santana, into a hit, followed in the next two years by Abraxas and Santana III. Lineup changes were common. Carlos Santana's increasing involvement with guru Sri Chinmoy took the band into more esoteric music, though it never lost its Latin influence.

In 1998, the band Santana was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Carlos Santana, José "Chepito" Areas, David Brown, Gregg Rolie, Mike Carabello, and Michael Shrieve The band has earned nine Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammy Awards, the latter all in 2000. Carlos Santana won a Grammy Award as a solo artist in 1988. The band has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the world's best-selling groups of all time. In 2013, Santana announced a reunion of the classic line-up for a new album, Santana IV, which was released in April 2016. They are tied for having the most won Grammy Awards in one night.

Hannibal
Santana Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ah ya e ya
Ah e yea ya
Oba ibo si areo
Ergua mala gura
Obakoso cabiosile ache

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Santana's song Hannibal are open to interpretation, but some believe that they reflect the power and strength of the African warrior, Hannibal. The lyrics, which include phrases in various African languages, as well as a call-and-response style chant, embody the energy and spirit of both the warrior and his people.

The first two lines, "Ah ya e ya, ah e yea ya," are a call-and-response chant that signify the connection between the warrior and his people. The next two lines, "Oba ibo si areo, ergua mala gura," are in Yoruba and mean "listen to my word, the king has come." This is an assertion of power, as the warrior is proclaiming his status as a king. The final line, "Obakoso cabiosile ache," is in what is believed to be an African language and means "the spirit never dies."

Overall, the lyrics to Hannibal convey a sense of power, strength, and resilience. They speak to the warrior spirit that is embodied by Hannibal and to the importance of connecting with one's community and heritage.

Line by Line Meaning

Ah ya e ya
An expression of excitement and energy, signaling the beginning of something special.

Ah e yea ya
A continuation of the previous line, building upon the heightened state of excitement.

Oba ibo si areo
Referring to the Yoruba deity Obatala, who is associated with creativity and purity, suggesting that a new creative force is at work.

Ergua mala gura
Invoking the Orisha Elegua, who represents the opening of doors and new opportunities, suggesting that new paths are being opened.

Obakoso cabiosile ache
A call to the Yoruba deity Ogun, who represents strength and determination in the face of challenges, suggesting that one must be strong and determined in pursuing these new opportunities.

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: ALEXANDER JOHN LIGERTWOOD, ALAN JAMES PASQUA, RAUL M REKOW, CARLOS SANTANA

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