Since his childhood, Vieux Farka Touré has been deeply inspired by the music of his father, Ali Farka Touré. Growing up in Mali's capital, Bamako, as well as in his father's hometown of Niafunké in the Sahara desert - both teeming with rich musical life - Vieux proved himself a precocious talent as a drummer and calabash player. Ali, however, grew concerned about his son's future as he observed his son's budding musical gifts. Having long suffered in the music industry himself before finally finding a home with World Circuit Records, Ali did not want his son to have to have to face the same hardships. He forbade Vieux to play music and decided that Vieux should become a soldier instead. Vieux, as stubborn as his father's moniker FARKA (donkey) suggested, began instead to play along with his father's recordings in hiding, determined to pursue his musical aspirations.
In 1999, Vieux -- now a young man -- decided to take his destiny into his own hands. He enrolled in the National Arts Institute in Bamako, openly defying his father's wishes. It was there that Vieux truly discovered his musical calling, picking up the guitar and beginning to compose his own music. By the time he left the Arts Institute, he was already a locally celebrated guitar virtuoso, able to emulate almost perfectly his father's playing. Word began to spread throughout Bamako that Ali's successor was emerging. It was then that Toumani Diabaté - the world's premiere kora player - first took notice of Vieux, and brought him into his performing ensemble. Recognizing Vieux's abilities, Toumani urged Ali to accept his son's chosen path. Ali agreed, and under Toumani's artistic guidance, Vieux flourished. He performed in France and South Africa and even began to accompany his father on guitar. At the same time, his own stunning compositions introduced new sounds and influences into the tradition of desert blues from Northern Mali.
In 2005, Vieux reconnected with his friend Eric Herman, a North American musician and producer with whom Vieux had played while he was a student at the Arts Institute. Both Vieux and Eric realized that it was time that Vieux record his debut album. They quickly got to work in the studio. Toumani agreed to contribute his awesome talent on two of the tracks. Meanwhile Ali - growing increasingly ill with cancer - offered his final recordings to Vieux's self-titled debut album, the ultimate expression of approval of his son's path, passing him the torch with which to light his way.
Since then, Vieux has released two more studio albums (Fondo, 2009, and The Secret, 2011), a remix album (UFOs Over Bamako, 2008), and a live album (LIVE, 2010).
Tongo Barra
Vieux Farka Touré Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wo toune yema haou Kouna
Denekaney na ti bongo kaney
Na to Kala haou Sarra
Mana yero koy
Nda Niafunke bangou yer koy
Iné har goussi ka Aba mo har Gou sika
Manayerokoy nda goubo bangou yero koy ine har goussou ka Aba mo hard goussi ka
Alfa lalo nda gou talibidie si tiow Kala tiow foutou
Mali on dit que les cris que le Mali a été envahi sont devenus sérieux
Réveillons-nous et mettons nos ceintures
Avoir une grande gueule
Ne veut pas dire avoir de la chance
Donc ce n'est pas la peine de sacrifier un boeuf
Où allons-nous, au lac Coboro?
Maman dit qu'elle ne vient pas
Papa dit qu'il ne vient pas
Où allons-nous, au lac Takiti?
Maman dit qu'elle ne vient pas
Papa dit qu'il ne vient pas
Un mauvais esprit derrière la ville de Mali
Ne fait que du mauvais travail
Un mauvais marabout et ses élèves ne font que de mauvaises études
Mali we say that the cries that Mali has been invaded have become serious
Let's wake up and put on our belts
To have a big mouth
Does not mean to have luck
So it's not worth sacrificing beef
Where do we go, to Lake Coboro?
Mama says she's not coming
Papa says he's not coming
Where do we go, to Lake Takiti?
Mama says she's not coming
Papa says he's not coming
A bad spirit behind the city of Mali
Only does bad work
A bad marabout and his students only do bad studies
The lyrics to Vieux Farka Touré's song "Tongo Barra" are reflective of the political climate in Mali. The song laments the state of the country, which has been plagued with violence and political instability. The opening lines, "Mali thine tongonbara soboy, wo toune yema haou kouna" (Mali, we say that the cries that Mali has been invaded have become serious, let's wake up and put on our belts), portray a bleak picture of a country that is in dire need of change.
The lyrics also touch on the theme of sacrifice, which is a common thread in Malian culture. The line, "Donc ce n'est pas la peine de sacrifier un boeuf" (So it's not worth sacrificing beef), suggests that the sacrifices that have been made in the past have not helped the country move forward. Instead, the song urges the people of Mali to come together and work for a better future.
The song also references two lakes, Coboro and Takiti, where the singer suggests going, but Mama and Papa refuse to go. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the country itself, where people are hesitant to make the changes necessary to improve their situation. Ultimately, the song urges people to wake up and take action to help Mali become a better place.
Line by Line Meaning
Mali thine tongonbara Soboy
Mali we say that the cries that Mali has been invaded have become serious
Wo toune yema haou Kouna
Let's wake up and put on our belts
Denekaney na ti bongo kaney
To have a big mouth does not mean to have luck
Na to Kala haou Sarra
So it's not worth sacrificing beef
Mana yero koy
Where do we go, to Lake Coboro?
Nda Niafunke bangou yer koy
Mama says she's not coming
Iné har goussi ka Aba mo har Gou sika
Papa says he's not coming
Manayerokoy nda goubo bangou yero koy ine har goussou ka Aba mo hard goussi ka
Where do we go, to Lake Takiti? Mama says she's not coming. Papa says he's not coming
Tande hou foutou Mali banda si goy Kala goy foutou
A bad spirit behind the city of Mali only does bad work
Alfa lalo nda gou talibidie si tiow Kala tiow foutou
A bad marabout and his students only do bad studies
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Ali Farka Toure
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@samyboy7489
Khruangbin is just too good. Feel bad for people who don’t know yet.
@MrDanielle1987
Out of my social circle and family I am the only one who knows them but I have told my sisters and my girlfriend plus another friend. Only my friend is hooked, the others didn't manage to get into the mindset of the playing style. They like lyrics haha. I think it's better to keep them pure honestly. I saw them live in LA last year and it was magical. Everyone there was so unique and cool unlike other genres that attract undesirable people haha
@stephaniemoura9325
I feel the same. Honestly I cannot understand how people are not immediately mesmerised by their music like I was the first time I heard it.
My boyfriend came across their pitchfork live on YouTube and put it on for us to listen to. It was our first time listening to it and we got addicted to their songs, specially I did. But my boyfriend also really appreciates their music.
I am so, so grateful for that day. The way their music is able to translate feelings inside of me that I can’t understand, helped me through a very difficult period in my life when I was suffering a lot mentally with pure OCD symptoms, their music instantly felt like a relief, whenever I listened to them I felt like I could be free again, free of ocd thoughts (which today I am 🎉)
So, I’ll be forever grateful to their songs and forever grateful to my boyfriend for being the one who presented me to my favourite band ever!!!
Also, I listened to them live in Paris and it was just amazing 🥹🤍
@garythomas4431
I'm sure Mark Speer is enjoying the hell out of this. He truly is one of today's more imaginative guitarist, and with DJ and Laura Lee Khraungbin is limitless.
Lots of love guys from GT from Tennessee.
@staceymurray9644
I have just found them and I am amazed at the tunes they have put out and ive never heard any of them on radio
@Ni.Mh_
2:48 the absolute best part of guitar
@carlosgoldstein1057
Hitting hard with the West African vibes.. love this!! So crisp and rich with intertwined cultures and sounds.. you guys are absolutely killing it!! Can't wait to see you live again I love you.. the Holy Trio of World Funk. Khru On!!
@rareairdiscs7577
check out more from the "Desert Blues" genre - its all FIRE! Tinariwen, Bombino, etc
@alexanderwarren8292
I used to live next to the Embassy of Mali in Bonn when it was still capital of the FRG as it was known then. How bright, colourful, and enlightening was it partake of the rich musical history.
@aaronneuville701
Gonna be another album full of bangerssss