For the follow up to their acclaimed debut, Living Like a Refugee, the band began recording in their hometown of Freetown, Sierra Leone then traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana to work with the highly accomplished producer Steve Berlin (Los Lobos, Angélique Kidjo, Rickie Lee Jones, Michelle Shocked, Alec Ounsworth, Jackie Greene) at Piety Street Recording. The All Stars immediately felt at home in New Orleans, not only because the hot climate and spicy food reminded them of Africa, but also because the residents of the Crescent City have firsthand experience with the bitterness of exile and the redemptive power of music. The local musicians who contributed to the record—including favorites Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, Bonerama and Washboard Chaz—lend it an infectious spirit of celebration and optimism in the face of struggle.
Rise & Shine reflects how far the band has come in the past few years, after multiple international tours and recording experience with the likes of Aerosmith and Mavis Staples. With an expert producer at the helm, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars have realized a unique and seamlessly coherent sound: a fusion of traditional West African music and roots reggae, inflected with New Orleans styles. The album’s 13 tracks embrace the wide array of musical influences the All Stars have encountered on their rise to international fame.
The band members are broadly diverse in age and character, although they possess a strong bond forged through common experiences and values: They all know war and have struggled to survive in one of the world’s poorest countries, and they share an unwavering belief in the transformative power of music. The current lineup of the band was cemented when Reuben M. Koroma, the sage songwriter and guiding light of the group, returned home from the refugee camps, joined by Black Nature, an orphaned teenaged rapper; Mohammed Bangura, who suffered amputation at the hands of rebels; and Francis John Langba. Back in Sierra Leone, they reunited with family, friends and former band mates Ashade Pearce, Jah Son Bull and Makengo Kamara—many of whom they believed not to have survived the violence.
The band’s journey—which culminated in the All Stars’ first recording in a studio—was documented in the multi-award winning documentary Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, by Zach Niles and Banker White. The resulting album, Living Like A Refugee, garnered the band international acclaim and high profile fans such as Keith Richards, Sir Paul McCartney, Aerosmith, Angelina Jolie and Ice Cube.
Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars deliver electrifying and uplifting live performances and will tour the U.S. in Spring 2010. They have already appeared at some of the most prestigious music festivals worldwide including Bonnaroo, Montreal Jazz, Fuji Rock in Japan, Central Park SummerStage and Celebrate Brooklyn.
Manjalagi
Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Manjalagi nar so de people dem dae bage
Huna gee me for god nar so the people dem dae bage
Huna gee me for god o nar so de people dem dae bage yah
Me people dem nar wan tin ah wan tell huna all o
Nar but da tin way dem call love way
Nor dae flow nar this we country yah
Dem fail for realize say god nor go gee we all at the same time o
You way get god gee you for hep the wan way nor get
Elek waiting you get just do waiting you able for do
We dae go nar church en mosque every day nar dis dem dae teach about o
But way we commot dae we nor dae do waiting we learn
Dem say love your neighbour as you love your self
Love for one let it be love for all o
Manjalagi nar so de people dem dae bage
Manjalagi nar so de people dem dae bage
Huna gee me for god nar so the people dem dae bage
Huna gee me for god o nar so de people dem dae bage yah
Ay yah waiting make some people wicked so
Dem go see mortal man dae die nar street wait angry o
Dem nor go care seff them go say nor to dem fambul o
Salone man dae tiff yah dem go build hose nar las palmas o
Salone man dae tiff yah e go put money nar world bank
Other man dem dae dem nor geet place for sleep
Mr Government you get for take care of dem bager man them
Way ah kin comout wellington as ah kin reach up gun so
Me hearth kin bigin pwell because nar so so ah kin see na treet
Dem kin dae day mangalagi who nar gee me for god
E sabi delie manjalagi who na gee me for god e sabi delie
Manjalagi nar so de people dem dae bage
Manjalagi nar so de people dem dae bage
Huna gee me for god nar so the people dem dae bage
Huna gee me for god o nar so de people dem dae bage yah
Manjalagi nar so de people dem dae bage
Manjalagi nar so de people dem dae bage
Huna gee me for god nar so the people dem dae bage
Huna gee me for god o nar so de people dem dae bage yah
Nar so de people dem dae bage yah
Nar so de people dem dae bage yah
Nar so de people dem dae bage yah
Nar so de people dem dae
The lyrics of "Manjalagi" by Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars tackle themes of love, care, and social responsibility. The song starts with the repetition of "Manjalagi nar so de people dem dae bage," which can be interpreted as a reflection on how people in society behave. It suggests that people should act with love and care towards one another, which is a message aligned with teachings from religious institutions such as churches and mosques.
The song highlights the importance of love and empathy towards others, emphasizing that we should treat our neighbors with the same love and respect that we have for ourselves. It criticizes those who lack compassion and disregard the suffering of others, suggesting that societal progress can only be achieved when everyone supports and uplifts each other.
The lyrics also touch upon issues of corruption and social inequality. The reference to people stealing and building houses in Las Palmas while others have no place to sleep reflects a stark contrast between the haves and the have-nots. The song calls on the government to take care of the less fortunate and address the disparities in society.
Overall, "Manjalagi" encourages individuals to have a sense of social responsibility, to practice love and care towards others, and to address the social issues that persist in Sierra Leone.
Line by Line Meaning
Manjalagi nar so de people dem dae bage
This is how the people live
Huna gee me for god nar so the people dem dae bage
Ask God, this is how the people live
Huna gee me for god o nar so de people dem dae bage yah
Pray to God, this is how the people live here
Me people dem nar wan tin ah wan tell huna all o
My people, there is something I want to tell you all
Nar but da tin way dem call love way
It's about the concept of love
Nor dae flow nar this we country yah
This love does not flow in our country
Some people get dem nor care but the wan way nor get o
Some people do not care about those who have nothing
Dem fail for realize say god nor go gee we all at the same time o
They fail to realize that God will not give us all at the same time
You way get god gee you for hep the wan way nor get
Those who have been blessed should help those who have nothing
Elek waiting you get just do waiting you able for do
Do what you can with what you have
We dae go nar church en mosque every day nar dis dem dae teach about o
We go to church and mosque every day, but fail to practice what they teach
But way we commot dae we nor dae do waiting we learn
But when we leave, we do not do what we have learned
Dem say love your neighbour as you love your self
They say to love your neighbor as you love yourself
Love for one let it be love for all o
Love for one should be love for all
Ay yah waiting make some people wicked so
Oh yes, what makes some people wicked?
Dem go see mortal man dae die nar street wait angry o
They witness people dying on the streets without any anger
Dem nor go care seff them go say nor to dem fambul o
They don't even care about their own families
Salone man dae tiff yah dem go build hose nar las palmas o
Sierra Leoneans steal and build houses in luxurious places
Salone man dae tiff yah e go put money nar world bank
Sierra Leoneans steal and deposit money in foreign banks
Other man dem dae dem nor geet place for sleep
Others don't even have a place to sleep
Mr Government you get for take care of dem bager man them
Mr. Government, you have to take care of the poor
Way ah kin comout wellington as ah kin reach up gun so
When I come out of Wellington and reach Gondama
Me hearth kin bigin pwell because nar so so ah kin see na treet
My heart begins to cry because I see people suffering
Dem kin dae day mangalagi who nar gee me for god
They say it's manjalagi, but who will God give it to?
E sabi delie manjalagi who na gee me for god e sabi delie
He knows who the manjalagi is, who will God give it to, he knows
Nar so de people dem dae bage yah
This is how the people live here
Writer(s): Ashade Pearce
Contributed by Avery V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.