Formed in Haiti as Shleu-Shleu, Skah Shah was … Read Full Bio ↴biography by Craig Harris
Formed in Haiti as Shleu-Shleu, Skah Shah was reorganized by vocalist Joe Ely "Cubano" Telfort after he moved to New York in the mid-'70s. Their approach to Haiti's compas and zouk traditions has been described by www.real.com as "easy rhythms (that) are inviting for dancers who are entertained by vaguely operatic vocals and seductive saxophones." Dividing their time between Central and North America during the 1970s, Shleu-Shleu survived a critical period after several members elected to remain in the United States. Recruited as a vocal replacement, Talford assumed the band's leadership shortly afterwards.
La relèv
Skah-Shah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gade kiyès batey pran lakay mwee
Gade kisa egzod fè lakay mwee
Gade kiyès batey pran lakat mweee
Nèg ayisyen gason vanyan yo
Neg ki nan ki nan gora ak neg ginen yo
Kiles kap edem chanteee
Kiles kap edem sakleee
Kiles kap va ede mwen rekolteee
Anye anye anye anye anyeee (3fwa)
Frem yo alee simbi nan dlo
Frem yo ale ginen nan bwa
Frem yo ale simbi nan dlo
Frem yo ale ginen nan bwa
Kiles kap edem rache diri
Kiles kap edem kase mayi
Avek kima mal nan sori
Avek kima val nan kove
Kiles kap edem keyi kafe
Kiles kap edem simen piti mi
Sak fè nanm mwen gon sangloo
Ki sanble yon vaklou nan dloo
Ou pa wè nanm mwen gen yon folklo woy
Ki sanble ak kilti pèp la
Pa tande kè yo gen yon tambou oo
Ki bat tankou tanbou vodou
Timtim bwa chèch
Kiles ka vinn pran la relev
Pou la kilti k leve tèt oo
Si egzod vinn rasanbleman wooy
Brase roch va tounen kay manman
Timtim bwa chèch
Kiles ka vinn pran la relèv
Frem yo ale simbi nan dlo
Frem yo ale ginen nan bwa
2fwa
Timtim bwa chèch
Kiles kap vinn pran la relev
Mete ayiti kanpe woy
The lyrics of "La relèv" by Skah-Shah are focused on the idea of cultural identity and the importance of preserving and passing it down through generations. The song opens by asking the listener to observe what exodus has caused in the singer's home, and who has taken over, suggesting a loss of tradition and culture. They then mention the Haitian men who are brave and come from different backgrounds, emphasizing Haiti's diversity. The song then moves on to highlight the different crops and things that need to be grown and harvested, such as rice, corn and coffee, making a connection between the growth of the land and the growth and preservation of culture.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Kiles kap edem," or "who will help me," emphasizing the need for community and collaboration to preserve culture. The verses continue with imagery of people leaving for different places, such as the water and the forest, suggesting a diaspora and further loss of cultural identity. However, the song remains optimistic by emphasizing that the land will always be there, waiting for someone to take up the mantle and continue the traditions.
Line by Line Meaning
Gade kisa egzòd fè lakay mwe
Look what the exodus has done to my home
Gade kiyès batey pran lakay mwee
See who is coming to take over my house
Gade kisa egzod fè lakay mwee
Look what the exodus has done to my home
Gade kiyès batey pran lakat mweee
See who is seizing my land
Nèg ayisyen gason vanyan yo
Haitian men, brave and fearless
Neg ki nan ki nan gora ak neg ginen yo
Men who come from the mountain and from Guinea
Kiles kap edem chanteee
Who will help me sing?
Kiles kap edem sakleee
Who will help me sow?
Kiles ki ap edem plante
Who will help me plant?
Kiles kap va ede mwen rekolteee
Who will help me harvest?
Anye anye anye anye anyeee (3fwa)
Year after year
Frem yo alee simbi nan dlo
Their brothers are going to the water spirits
Frem yo ale ginen nan bwa
Their brothers are going to Guinea in the woods
Frem yo ale simbi nan dlo
Their brothers are going to the water spirits
Frem yo ale ginen nan bwa
Their brothers are going to Guinea in the woods
Kiles kap edem rache diri
Who will help me harvest rice?
Kiles kap edem kase mayi
Who will help me break corn?
Avek kima mal nan sori
With a hoe that's bad in the handle
Avek kima val nan kove
With a basket that's worn in the bottom
Kiles kap edem keyi kafe
Who will help me pick coffee?
Kiles kap edem simen piti mi
Who will help me sow a little millet?
Sak fè nanm mwen gon sangloo
My soul is like a bloodhound
Ki sanble yon vaklou nan dloo
That looks like a vulture in the water
Ou pa wè nanm mwen gen yon folklo woy
Don't you see my soul has a folk tale
Ki sanble ak kilti pèp la
That looks like the culture of the people
Pa tande kè yo gen yon tambou oo
Can't you hear their hearts have a drumbeat
Ki bat tankou tanbou vodou
That beats like a Vodou drum
Timtim bwa chèch
Woodpecker knocks
Kiles ka vinn pran la relev
Who can come and take the relay?
Pou la kilti k leve tèt oo
For the culture to hold its head up high
Si egzod vinn rasanbleman wooy
If the exodus becomes an assembly
Brase roch va tounen kay manman
Strong arms will return home
Frem yo ale simbi nan dlo
Their brothers are going to the water spirits
Frem yo ale ginen nan bwa
Their brothers are going to Guinea in the woods
Timtim bwa chèch
Woodpecker knocks
Kiles kap vinn pran la relev
Who will come and take the relay?
Mete ayiti kanpe woy
Put Haiti on its feet
Contributed by Audrey R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.