Ouvrez les frontières
Tiken Jah Fakoly Lyrics

Ouvrez les frontières, ouvrez les frontières
The singer is urging for the opening of borders, repeating this statement multiple times throughout the song.

Vous venez chaque année
The singer addresses foreign visitors who come to their country every year, both in summer and winter.

L’été comme l’hiver
The singer emphasizes that visitors come in all seasons.

Et nous on vous reçoit
The singer acknowledges that their country welcomes these visitors.

Toujours les bras ouverts
The singer expresses that their country is welcoming and open to visitors.

Vous êtes ici chez vous
The singer indicates that visitors are welcome to consider their country a home away from home.

Après tout, peu importe
The singer suggests that what matters most is the freedom to travel and explore.

On veut partir alors
The singer expresses the desire to explore other countries.

Ouvrez-nous la porte
The singer is urging for countries to open their borders and allow people to travel freely.

Du Cap à Gibraltar
The singer refers to a large geographical area that they and others like them come from, spanning from the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa to the Strait of Gibraltar.

Nous sommes des milliers
The singer highlights that there are many people like themselves who want to explore the world.

A vouloir comme vous
The singer points out that they share the same desire to travel as visitors from other countries.

Venir sans rendez-vous
The singer implies that they wish to travel without the strict visa requirements currently imposed upon them.

Nous voulons voyager
The singer makes a clear statement about their desire to travel and explore the world.

Et aussi travailler
The singer points out that they also wish to work in other countries for various reasons.

Mais nous, on vous a pas
The singer points out that they have not been given the same privileges as some visitors who have been granted visas.

Refusé le visa
The singer notes the difficulty they and others face in obtaining visas for travel.

Nous aussi on veut connaître la chance d'étudier,
The singer points out that they too want the opportunity to study and further their education.

La chance de voir nos rêves se réaliser,
The singer highlights that people like them also want their dreams to come true.

Avoir un beau métier, pouvoir voyager,
The singer expresses the desire for the same opportunities afforded to others, such as the chance to have a good job and travel to other countries.

Connaître ce que vous appelez liberté.
The singer expresses the desire to understand and experience the same freedom that others in other countries take for granted.

On veut que nos familles ne manquent plus de rien,
The singer conveys the desire to provide for their families and ensure that they have everything they need.

On veut avoir cette vie où l'on mange à sa faim,
The singer expresses the desire to live a life where they have access to abundant and nutritious food.

On veut quitter cette misère quotidienne pour de bon,
The singer conveys the desire to escape from the daily struggle of poverty and never have to return to it.

On veut partir d'ici car nous sommes tous en train de péter les plombs !
The singer emphasizes that the current situation is unbearable and they cannot continue to live in such desperation.

Y'a plus une goutte d’eau
The singer reflects on the significant challenges and shortages they are facing at home.

Pour remplir notre seau
The singer implies that the lack of resources at home makes it difficult to sustain themselves.

Ni même une goutte de pluie
The singer highlights the extreme conditions of their home environment by pointing out the lack of basic resources like water.

Tout au fond du puits
The singer is expressing how deep the roots of poverty goes and how dire their situation is.

Quand le ventre est vide
The singer highlights how hunger is one of their most pressing problems at home.

Sur le chemin de l’école
The singer emphasizes how even basic activities like going to school are made challenging by the lack of resources in their environment.

Un beau jour il décide
The singer emphasizes the moment of decision to leave and travel.

De prendre son envol
The singer conveys the determination and energy required to embark on this journey.

Ouvrez la porte, ici, on étouffe,
The singer reiterates the importance of opening borders and allowing people like themselves the freedom to travel and explore the world.

On est plein à vouloir du rêve occidental,
The singer highlights the widespread desire amongst people in their community to seek a better life elsewhere, often in Western countries.

Ouvrez la porte, ici, la jeunesse s'essouffle,
The singer implies that the situation at home is draining and exhausting, especially for young people.

Ne vois-tu pas que pour nous c'est vital !
The singer emphasizes the life-or-death nature of this struggle and the significance of opening borders.

Vous avez pris nos plages
The singer points out the exploitation and colonization their country has faced in the past and the present.

Et leur sable doré
The singer highlights the specific ways in which their natural resources have been taken for granted or exploited.

Mis l’animal en cage
The singer implies that the environment and wildlife have suffered as a result of human activity and exploitation of resources.

Et battu nos forêts
The singer highlights the destruction of forests and the natural environment overall, often to the detriment of people's well-being.

Qu’est-ce qu’il nous reste
The singer reflects on the lack of resources and options remaining within their home environment.

Quand on a les mains vides
The singer emphasizes the sense of emptiness and lack in their environment, which they hope to escape by traveling to other countries.

On se prépare au voyage
The singer implies that preparing for the journey ahead is essential for success and survival.

Et on se jette dans le vide
The singer conveys the sense of uncertainty and risk involved in leaving everything they know behind and embarking on a new journey.