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Saya
Sona Jobarteh Lyrics


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Hmmmm, sooba saya...

Fagantɔw lu kasikan,
Ko bana ye saya fa ye!
Alu ma yee ne dun sɛɛ la ne dun tɔrɔ la?
Dunuya kɔnɔ diya ban na...
Bali saya ye n'dusu kasi...
Fɔ jɔn ye sabali
Aaah n'na ye la, i ka n'sɔɔn limanya
Ɲee le ma, kanu
I tolo malɔ ɲe kuma la i fɛ
N'ka kuma kan kɛla fɔnɲɔn ye

Mi ye dankan ye i seko tɛ a ra

I le ma ye ko diyɛya ye gɛlɛma

I ta lén min ka ne to dibi oh

Dusukasi ni ɲanafin ooho

I ye min kɛ ɲe dunuya tigɛ rɔ, Allah dɔrɔn bi i la sara la...

N'bena layiri duguni ta ye, fɔ ka n'sa, n'tena se ka ɲina i kɔ...

(VERSE 2)...
N'naa le ka fɔ, jamana sigi dun gɛlɛma

Dɔ lu yɛlɛ la

Dɔ lu ye kasi la lòn lòn,

I ta la dugmina ma su, i ta la ne n'fandɔ fana ye...

I ye kuma kan mi fɔ, halisa m'be miri o lòn la sini

Ne kɔni m'be kali i ye bi, fɔ ka n'sa, n'te ɲinɛ i kɔ...

Mi ye dankan ye i seko tɛ a ra

I le ma ye ko diyɛya ye gɛlɛma

I ta lén min ka ne to dibi oh

Dusukasi ni ɲanafin ooho

I ye min kɛ ɲe dunuya tigɛ rɔ, Allah dɔrɔn bi i la sara la...

N'bena layiri duguni ta ye, fɔ ka n'sa, n'tena se ka ɲina i kɔ...

Ooo saya, m'maa saya
Ooo saya,
Ooo sayaaa...

Overall Meaning

The song "Saya" by Sona Jobarteh is sung in Manding, a West African language spoken widely in Mali, the Gambia, Guinea, and other countries in the West African region. The lyrics are rich in meaning, and the song carries messages of hope, strength, and resilience. The song begins with the line "Hmmmm, sooba saya" which translates to "Please, Saya" where Saya is a name. The singer asks for Saya's help in dealing with difficult situations.


The first verse continues with the singer asking if life is full of troubles and challenges. The next few lines convey a message of hope, as the singer refers to the support and encouragement of those around them, saying that they have someone by their side. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Mi ye dankan ye i seko tɛ a ra, I le ma ye ko diyɛya ye gɛlɛma" which translates to "Give me courage, give me strength, so that I can overcome difficulties." The second verse continues with the themes of resilience and perseverance, with the singer acknowledging the challenges they face but ultimately remaining optimistic.


Line by Line Meaning

Hmmmm, sooba saya...
The singer starts the song with the repetition of the word Saya in a hummed form, setting a calming and mystical tone to the song.


Fagantɔw lu kasikan,
People are seeking advice and guidance from elders in their community.


Ko bana ye saya fa ye!
The elders advise the people to seek the way of Saya, the spiritual path that can bring enlightenment and fulfillment.


Alu ma yee ne dun sɛɛ la ne dun tɔrɔ la?
Do we have a purpose in this world and if so, what is it?


Dunuya kɔnɔ diya ban na...
The world is full of distractions that take us away from our spiritual purpose.


Bali saya ye n'dusu kasi...
The way of Saya is the means to find our purpose and connect with our spiritual selves.


Fɔ jɔn ye sabali
Patience and perseverance are required in following the path of Saya.


Aaah n'na ye la, i ka n'sɔɔn limanya
Oh, my father, if only we could see clearly!


Ɲee le ma, kanu
Please help us, ancestors.


I tolo malɔ ɲe kuma la i fɛ
Guide us on the right path to fulfill our purpose.


N'ka kuma kan kɛla fɔnɲɔn ye
I will follow the way of Saya to find my purpose in life.


Mi ye dankan ye i seko tɛ a ra
I am beating the drums to call others to join me on the path of Saya.


I le ma ye ko diyɛya ye gɛlɛma
Ancestors, please bless us on our journey.


I ta lén min ka ne to dibi oh
Lead us to the right path, oh spirit of Saya.


Dusukasi ni ɲanafin ooho
The way of Saya is the truth that guides us to our purpose.


I ye min kɛ ɲe dunuya tigɛ rɔ, Allah dɔrɔn bi i la sara la...
Through the way of Saya, we can find the peace and love of Allah.


N'bena layiri duguni ta ye, fɔ ka n'sa, n'tena se ka ɲina i kɔ...
We must follow the way of Saya to find our place in this world.


(VERSE 2)...
The second verse continues the message of seeking spiritual purpose through Saya, with a focus on the journey rather than the destination.


N'naa le ka fɔ, jamana sigi dun gɛlɛma
I am ready to follow the path of Saya, even if it means going against the norms of society.


Dɔ lu yɛlɛ la
The spirits of Saya are present in our daily lives, guiding us.


Dɔ lu ye kasi la lòn lòn,
The way of Saya is a continuous journey of learning and growth.


I ta la dugmina ma su, i ta la ne n'fandɔ fana ye...
The path of Saya has its own challenges, but it also brings a sense of fulfillment.


I ye kuma kan mi fɔ, halisa m'be miri o lòn la sini
I will continue to follow the way of Saya, even if it requires sacrifices and hard work.


Ne kɔni m'be kali i ye bi, fɔ ka n'sa, n'te ɲinɛ i kɔ...
I trust in the way of Saya to lead me to my purpose in life.


Ooo saya, m'maa saya
The singer expresses her love and dedication to the way of Saya.


Ooo saya,
The repetition of Saya reinforces its importance in the singer's life and in the message of the song.


Ooo sayaaa...
The song ends with a final hum of Saya, leaving a lasting impression on the listener.




Contributed by Isaiah W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@roxanarr514

Written by Sona Jobarteh Malinke
Lyrics by Wilferd Abdoul Willey

Verse 1
Hmmmm,suba saya
in the darkness of death
the orphans cry
that disease is the source of death
can't you see i've suffered in pain??
I have no hope left in this world
because death broke my heart
but one has to resign to fate
mother.please help me accept this face
i'm talking to you,my love
listen to what i'm trying to say
my words have turned into air

CHORUS

No one can change destiny
do you know the pains of love

CHORUS CONT..

you left me here in darkness
heart broken and longing for you
only God can repay you
for what you did for me in this life
i promise you one thing
i will never forget you

VERSE 2

My mother told me that life is difficult
some are laughing while others cry everyday
when you left this world
you also took a part of me with you
the words you said to me
i still think about to this day
i promise you
until i die i will never forget you



@louismateo3291

Hmmmm, sooba saya

Fagantɔw lu kasikan
Ko bana ye saya fa ye!
Alu ma yee ne dun sɛɛ la ne dun tɔrɔ la?
Dunuya kɔnɔ diya ban na
Bali saya ye n'dusu kasi
Fɔ jɔn ye sabali

Aaah n'na ye la, i ka n'sɔɔn limanya
Ɲee le ma, kanu
I tolo malɔ ɲe kuma la i fɛ
N'ka kuma kan kɛla fɔnɲɔn ye

Mi ye dankan ye i seko tɛ a ra
I le ma ye ko diyɛya ye gɛlɛma
I ta lén min ka ne to dibi oh
Dusukasi ni ɲanafin ooho
I ye min kɛ ɲe dunuya tigɛ rɔ, Allah dɔrɔn bi i la sara la
N'bena layiri duguni ta ye, fɔ ka n'sa, n'tena se ka ɲina i kɔ

N'naa le ka fɔ, jamana sigi dun gɛlɛma
Dɔ lu yɛlɛ la
Dɔ lu ye kasi la lòn lòn
I ta la dugmina ma su, i ta la ne n'fandɔ fana ye
I ye kuma kan mi fɔ, halisa m'be miri o lòn la sini
Ne kɔni m'be kali i ye bi, fɔ ka n'sa, n'te ɲinɛ i kɔ

Mi ye dankan ye i seko tɛ a ra
I le ma ye ko diyɛya ye gɛlɛma
I ta lén min ka ne to dibi oh
Dusukasi ni ɲanafin ooho
I ye min kɛ ɲe dunuya tigɛ rɔ, Allah dɔrɔn bi i la sara la
N'bena layiri duguni ta ye, fɔ ka n'sa, n'tena se ka ɲina i kɔ

Ooo saya, m'maa saya
Ooo saya
Ooo sayaaa



All comments from YouTube:

@jojodakoolio

This song saved my life at a time when I had lost complete touch of this world, when I heard her voice I was grounded again. Her voice in this song has a motherly quality to it and to me at the time it was like the voice of a mother guiding me back to the truth.

@victorrubahimbya1124

💕 I literally listen to this song in bed till I sleep off

@harryshome4588

@@victorrubahimbya1124 i cried listening to this song in bed, there was something so deep about this song i cant put into words, it's as if it reminded my soul of something its missing, something so spiritual

@funkfrank1

Asé

@soltahrtiv-amanda5060

This is a year later, but I hope you are doing well. ❤ Songs from Mother Africa from such a beautiful soul are here for our healing dear ones. ❤

@kamam7770

I believe this song is to her grandmother.

1 More Replies...

@knives5964

12 years later this woman is still as beautiful as the day she performed this!

@tunkuqasimpokemon

She's the most beautiful 💞🙏 woman

@lucasamtab

Message to most today's popstars. You dont need to show your body or fancy shows . Learn from her. All you need is to sit down and product wonderful music like this one

@roxanarr514

Written by Sona Jobarteh Malinke
Lyrics by Wilferd Abdoul Willey

Verse 1
Hmmmm,suba saya
in the darkness of death
the orphans cry
that disease is the source of death
can't you see i've suffered in pain??
I have no hope left in this world
because death broke my heart
but one has to resign to fate
mother.please help me accept this face
i'm talking to you,my love
listen to what i'm trying to say
my words have turned into air

CHORUS

No one can change destiny
do you know the pains of love

CHORUS CONT..

you left me here in darkness
heart broken and longing for you
only God can repay you
for what you did for me in this life
i promise you one thing
i will never forget you

VERSE 2

My mother told me that life is difficult
some are laughing while others cry everyday
when you left this world
you also took a part of me with you
the words you said to me
i still think about to this day
i promise you
until i die i will never forget you

More Comments

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