Soixante Trois
Tinariwen Lyrics
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Those days have left their traces
They murdered the old folk and a child just born
They swooped down to the pastures and wiped out the cattle...
63 has gone, but will return
Tinariwen's song "Soixante Trois" is a powerful political statement remembering the events of 1963 in Mali. The lyrics tell the story of a violent conflict between the Malian government and the Tuareg people, whose ancestral lands were being encroached upon. The lyrics suggest that the events of 1963 were brutal and unforgivable, with young and old alike being killed, and cattle being stolen or murdered. The song's title is a reference to the year that the conflict took place in.
Line by Line Meaning
63 has gone, but will return
The year of 1963, marked by violence and loss, has passed but its impact still lingers and may someday resurface.
Those days have left their traces
The events of 1963 have left a lasting imprint on the people and landscape of the region.
They murdered the old folk and a child just born
In 1963, innocent and vulnerable members of society such as elderly people and infants were brutally killed.
They swooped down to the pastures and wiped out the cattle...
The violence of 1963 targeted not only human life, but also the livelihoods and sustenance of the region's communities.
Writer(s): IBRAHIM AG ALHABIB
Contributed by Peyton R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.