Amilo
Tabu Ley Lyrics
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Lisolo nayoki na wenze ezali oyo kosekisa ah
Obandi kokamwisa nga ah ah
Balobi obimali nazuwa lokola botomboka
Kanda nayo ezalaka lokola nkake eh
Balobi lisusu oboyi nga na nzube na nzoto moyen basimba te
Ya yo otindaka se na mosika aaaaah
Oh Amilo Amilo Amilo
Oh munuve Amilo munuve mbanda
Ba-mama balata mayaka lolendo ya tango na bango oh
Tika kotonisa basinga na nzoto lokola banzambe ya inga
Mingi balokotama nzanga
Tina basinga
Ekoya kosala sipi mokolo mosusu
Otika yo moko
Oh Amilo Amilo Amilo
Oh munuve Amilo munuve mbanda
Mobali alula ngai na kitoko na ngai ya nzoto oh
Nayebi nkisi te, nayebi ndako ya nganga te mbanda
Liputa kaka moko ekangeli nzoto aekeseni
Mobali alula ngai na kitoko na ngai ya nzoto oh
Nayebi nkisi te, nayebi ndako ya marafu te
Liputa kaka moko elateli nzoto aekeseni
Oh Amilo Amilo Amilo
Oh munuve Amilo munuve mbanda
Maketi nabimi nakeyi kotala Afrisa eh
Soki nazongi te luka ngai epayi ya tongi
Se mama mapasa
Malemba ah
Oh Amilo Amilo Amilo
Oh munuve Amilo munuve mbanda
Tika kolela-lela mama mobali na yo se ya yo moko
Mobali kitoko mpe ba-moyen benda naboya mpona nini mama
Es que baloki ngai, es que baloki ngai
Tika kolela-lela Moni mobali azali mwana ya bato
E motema elandi ih
Ekweyi etoile na ngai ebongala
Es que nakoki te eh
The song “Amilo” by Tabu Ley is a Congolese rumba track that is characterized by its upbeat rhythm and catchy melody. The song lyrics narrate a story of a woman who has caused the singer, who seems to be the singer of the song, emotional turmoil. The song begins with the singer describing his confusion and frustration with the woman's behavior, as she seems to laugh at him even when he’s trying to be serious. The woman's behavior is causing the singer to question whether he is doing something wrong.
As the song progresses, the singer turns to the chorus, where he repeats the name Amilo multiple times with the words “munuve mbanda” which means “my love, my darling”. The chorus is a cry of despair and an expression of the singer's emotional turmoil. He can't help but love Amilo despite her actions.
The final part of the song sees the singer lamenting that he cannot forget Amilo even though she has made him unhappy. He ends the song on a sad note, saying that he cannot follow his heart as it might lead him down the wrong path.
Overall, the song “Amilo” is a classic example of the Congolese rumba genre, both in its sound and its narrative of love and heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
Lisolo nayoki na wenze ezali oyo kosekisa ah
The story I will tell you is the one that always moves me.
Obandi kokamwisa nga ah ah
It makes me weep all the time.
Balobi obimali nazuwa lokola botomboka
People say that I'm as slender as a stick.
Kanda nayo ezalaka lokola nkake eh
Hold me, I'm like a boulder.
Balobi lisusu oboyi nga na nzube na nzoto moyen basimba te
They also say that my heart and my body are in harmony.
Ya yo otindaka se na mosika aaaaah
When I see you, I quiver like a leaf!
Ba-mama balata mayaka lolendo ya tango na bango oh
Oh, the mothers are scolding loudly like thunderbolts.
Tika kotonisa basinga na nzoto lokola banzambe ya inga
Stop fighting with each other, and calm down like the angels of heaven.
Mingi balokotama nzanga
Many people are hiding from me.
Tina basinga
Let us calm down.
Ekoya kosala sipi mokolo mosusu
Tomorrow is another day.
Otika yo moko
Just hold on.
Mobali alula ngai na kitoko na ngai ya nzoto oh
The man charms me with his good looks and loving heart.
Nayebi nkisi te, nayebi ndako ya nganga te mbanda
I do not know anything about witchcraft or the home of the sorcerer.
Liputa kaka moko ekangeli nzoto aekeseni
So, just calm down and relax your heart.
Nayebi nkisi te, nayebi ndako ya marafu te
I do not know anything about black magic or the domain of the dead.
Liputa kaka moko elateli nzoto aekeseni
So, just calm down and comfort your heart.
Maketi nabimi nakeyi kotala Afrisa eh
The market and the people are joyful as they listen to Afrisa's music.
Soki nazongi te luka ngai epayi ya tongi
If I don't come back, look for me at the place of our meeting.
Se mama mapasa
Hey, mother, give me a hug.
Malemba ah
My palms are itching with anticipation.
Tika kolela-lela mama mobali na yo se ya yo moko
Stop shouting, mother, your man is his own person.
Mobali kitoko mpe ba-moyen benda naboya mpona nini mama
Handsome men always have girls vying for them.
Es que baloki ngai, es que baloki ngai
They're jealous of me, they're jealous of me.
Tika kolela-lela Moni mobali azali mwana ya bato
Stop shouting, Moni, your man is a son of the people.
E motema elandi ih
My heart is burning with passion.
Ekweyi etoile na ngai ebongala
Look at my star that shines bright.
Es que nakoki te eh
It's just that I can't help it.
Contributed by Luke G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.