It was the 80’s, a quiet suburb of Port-au-Prince, where thr… Read Full Bio ↴ZENGLEN
It was the 80’s, a quiet suburb of Port-au-Prince, where three friends who were destined to make history in Haitian music met. Every afternoon, a young Brutus would sit on his front porch and play the guitar. Garry Didier Perez, and his friend Patrick Martineau, often noticed him and one day invited him to come over Patrick’s house. They would meet every afternoon to listen to all genres of music and interpret their favorites. During one of their rehearsals, some beer bottles fell off an amplifier that was vibrating and shattered into a million pieces. The guys laughed at the fact that Patrick would have a hard time cleaning up the many tiny pieces off the granulated floor. They all exclaimed ZENGLEN (which means tiny pieces of broken glass) and from that day on this was their band's name.
In 1989, the trio recorded "Koule Tan" (the color of time). Once completed, they took some tapes to several radio stations where hosts and listeners would become fans and fall in love.
Zenglen became one of the wonders of the early 1990’s as they released the hit song "Fidel" off of the album "An Nou Alèz." In the song the band said that “change” is never easy and always faces obstacles, and resistance, but that they pledge to remain faithful (Fidel) to their mission which is to improve and modernize the Konpa rhythm.
The Konpa world was introduced to their new found stars like the guitarist and singer Brutus Derissaint and the lead singer Gary Didier Perez among others. In the song "Fidel" the band said: "Sé konsa se konsa se konsa la vi ya ye lè ou vle met chanjman reziztans tèt chaje." Unfortunately after a U.S tour most of the band’s members abandoned ship and the band broke up into pieces like a real Zenglen.
In Miami Brutus never stop caressing the dream of keeping some of the pieces alive and had moved on with some attempts like the Zenglen Plus and a few solo albums in the 1990’s. Many musicians tried to help him to collect the pieces, but they often moved with their own projects like the creation of the band D-Zine. Nevertheless Brutus never lost faith and still remained fidèl (Faithful) to his mission by hiring more talented musicians each and every time. At the end of the century the acquisition of the drummer Richard Herard (Richie) and then singer Gracia Delva took Zenglen to the level of a very competitive Konpa band in the demanding market as they released the album "Easy Konpa" with nothing but major hits song that were going to move the band to the front burner of the industry. Ever since that time Zenglen hasn’t looked back despite the so many changes of personnel that occurred.
The album "Easy Konpa" was introduced to the public with the release of the video of the hit song "5 Dwèt" which boosted Zenglen to the top of the konpa scene. The song "B.S Productions" got the attention of the public as the song talk about unqualified show producers damaging the reputation of the bands. On that same album the band touched some subjects until then taboo as they talked about lesbians in the society in the song "Flannè Femèl" and drug used in the song "Ti Poud."
In the following years Zenglen continued to amaze the Konpa fans all over the world with the releases of the albums "Let It Groove," "Do It Right," "5 Etwal." The latest album, "5eme Vites," sung by current lead vocalist Kenny Desmangles, touches subjects on society, relationships with top notch konpa, and proved again why critics have praised them as the Konpa University.
Over the years the Konpa observers have seen broken pieces that continued to break in even more pieces, but the band remains solid and true to their mission: Zenglen doesn’t change…Zenglen improve. Like they often say in their songs “Sé pa changé nou changé, se pi bon’n vin’n pi bon.”
Sa'n Fè Yo
Zenglen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Poukisa wap goumen avèm konsa la
Poukisa wap boule kon dife bwa
Poukisa ou plede pouse kònn
San′w pa gen anyen avèk pèsonn
Poukisa wap fè vyolans konsa
Ougen dwa pale di sa ou vle
Sonje di verite, gen sak pran'w oserye
Si se plas pou ou chita
Pa bezwen aji san fwa ni lwa
There′s room for everybody
Don't you try to fight with me
Oh yeah
Sa'n fè yo –(Sa′n fè yo ooo ooo
Sa′n fè yo –(Sa'n fè yooo noo nooo
Poukisa wap fè kout san san rezon
Ou paka pastè pou ougan an menm tan
Poukisa′w rete jis pouse kònn
San'w pa gen anyen ak pèsònn
Poze zanmi goumen an pa nesesè
Ou gen dwa pale di sa ou vle
Se ka jan sa a pou yo baw pase
Sonje di verite, gen sak pran′w oserye
Si se plas pou ou chita
Pa bezwen aji san fwa ni lwa
There's room for everybody
Don′t you try to fight with me
Oh yeah yeah yeah
Nou tout tan tout tan se efò nap fè
Fòw pa fèm pè
Nou tout tan tout tan se efò n ap fè
Fòw pa fèm pè
Ale dwat pouw disparèt
Sa'n fèw
Gen sa ki ta vle n'boule kou on pay mayi
Sa′n fè yo – sa′n fèw
Mache di jwèt nou fini, n'pa gen avni
Sa′n fè yo – sa'n fèw
Si n′kouche dòmi epi nou pa leve
Ki mele yo – sa'n fèw
Sa′n fè yooooo, sa'n fè yooooo
Sa'n fèw
Ala mele yo mele san
Ala mele yo mele san
Sa′n fèw
Ala mele yo mele san
Depi′n lage n'ba yo rezon
Sa′n fèw
Sa lèzòm di men se pa sa Bondye di
Sa'n fè yo – sa′n fèw
Yo mèt mare kat la 3/7 nou pap dòmi ap bay kout tèt
Nap veye yo – sa'n fèw
Sa′n fè yo, sa'n fè yooo
Sa'n fèw sa′n fè yooo
Zenglen depi w pa la, plas ou rete vid
Gad jan ou pale
Pale di sa ou vle
Kopye tout saw tande
Ou repete kou jako
Gad jan ou pale
Pale di sa ou vle
Kopye tout saw tande
Ou repete kou jako
Pale pale pale pale, se dwa ou ka pale
Fòk ou pa egzajere
Saw di jodi ka jije demen
Kijan′w vle poum entèprete ou kap relem brother
Komsi'w ta dim se frèw
Oubyen se nonm oupa vle site
Gad jan ou pale
Pale di sa ou vle
Kopye tout saw tande
Ou repete kou jako
Gad jan ou pale
Pale di sa ou vle
Kopye tout saw tande
Ou repete kou jako
Sa′n fèw
Gen sa ki ta vle n boule kou on pay mayi
Sa'n fè yo – sa′n fèw
Mache di jwèt nou fini, n'pa gen avni
Sa′n fè yo – sa'n fèw
Si n'kouche dòmi epi nou pa leve
Ki mele yo – sa′n fèw
Sa′n fè yooooo, sa'n fè yooooo
Sa′n fèw
Ala mele yo mele san
Ala mele yo mele san
Sa'n fèw
Ala mele yo mele san
Depi′n lage n'ba yo rezon
Sa′n fèw
Sa lèzòm di men se pa sa Bondye di
Sa'n fè yo – sa'n fèw
Yo mèt mare kat la 3/7 nou pap dòmi ap bay kout tèt
Nap veye yo – sa′n fèw
Sa′n fè yo, sa'n fè yooo
Sa′n fèw sa'n fè yooo
Aleee
Zenglen's song "Sa'n Fè Yo" discusses the issue of violence and conflict among people. The lyrics ask, "Why are you fighting with us like this? Why are you burning like fire? Why do you insist on pushing yourself when you have nothing to do with anyone?" These lines convey the songwriter's plea for peace as they wonder why people use violence to resolve their conflicts. Moreover, the song encourages people to speak their minds without resorting to violence, making it clear that there is enough room for everyone. The chorus, "Sa'n fè yo, sa'n fèw, sa n fè yooo," repeats this theme of striving for peaceful coexistence.
Throughout the song, Zenglen appeals to his fellow Haitians to put an end to conflicts and instead focus on development and progress. The lines, "We all know we have to make an effort. Don't be afraid. We all know we have to make an effort. Don't be afraid," emphasize the need for collective action and the courage to pursue constructive goals. The song's message is as pertinent today as it was when it was released, urging Haitians (and anyone who listens) to find peaceful solutions to their problems.
Line by Line Meaning
Sa n fè yo
What are they doing
Poukisa wap goumen avèm konsa la
Why are you fighting with us like this
Poukisa wap boule kon dife bwa
Why are you burning like a wood fire
Poukisa ou plede pouse kònn
Why do you insist on pushing for no reason
San w pa gen anyen avèk pèsonn
When you have nothing to do with anyone
Poukisa wap fè vyolans konsa
Why are you being so violent like this
Ougen dwa pale di sa ou vle
You have the right to say what you want
Se ka jan sa a pou yo baw pase
That's how they want to pass it off
Sonje di verite, gen sak pran'w oserye
Remember to say the truth, some things need to be taken seriously
Si se plas pou ou chita
If there's a place for you to sit
Pa bezwen aji san fwa ni lwa
You don't need to act without force or law
There's room for everybody
There's enough for everyone
Don't you try to fight with me
Don't try to fight with me
Oh yeah
Oh yeah
Poukisa wap fè kout san san rezon
Why are you hitting without reason
Ou paka pastè pou ougan an menm tan
You can't be a pastor and a priest at the same time
Poukisa w ret jis pouse kònn
Why are you just pushing for no reason
San'w pa gen anyen ak pèsònn
When you have nothing to do with anyone
Poze zanmi goumen an pa nesesè
Stop fighting friends, it's not necessary
Ale dwat pouw disparèt
Leave and disappear
Sa n fèw
What are you doing
Gen sa ki ta vle n'boule kou on pay mayi
There are those who want to burn us like a yam field
Sa'n fè yo –(Sa'n fè yooo noo nooo
What are they doing
Mache di jwèt nou fini, n'pa gen avni
Say the game is over, there's no future
Si n'kouche dòmi epi nou pa leve
If we lay down and don't get up
Ki mele yo – sa'n fèw
What are they doing
Sa n fèw Ala mele yo mele san
What are you doing, they're mixing without any purpose
Depi'n lage n'ba yo rezon
Since we've given them the reason
Sa lèzòm di men se pa sa Bondye di
What humans say isn't always what God says
Yo mèt mare kat la 3/7 nou pap dòmi ap bay kout tèt
They set the city on fire, we won't sleep through it
Nap veye yo – sa'n fèw
We'll watch them, what are they doing
Zenglen depi w pa la, plas ou rete vid
Zenglen since you're not here, your place remains empty
Gad jan ou pale Pale di sa ou vle
Listen to how you talk, say what you want
Kopye tout saw tande Ou repete kou jako
Copy everything you hear, repeat like a parrot
Pale pale pale pale, se dwa ou ka pale
Speak speak speak, it's your right to speak
Fòk ou pa egzajere Saw di jodi ka jije demen
Don't exaggerate, what you say today will be judged tomorrow
Kijan'w vle poum entèprete ou kap relem brother
How do you want me to interpret what you're calling me brother
Komsi'w ta dim se frèw Oubyen se nonm oupa vle site
As if you're saying you're my brother or a man you don't want to name
Sa'n fèw Gen sa ki ta vle n boule kou on pay mayi
What are you doing, There are those who want to burn us like a yam field
Sa n fè yo – sa'n fèw Mache di jwèt nou fini, n'pa gen avni
What are they doing, Say the game is over, there's no future
Si n'kouche dòmi epi nou pa leve Ki mele yo – sa'n fèw
If we lay down and don't get up, what are they doing
Sa'n fè yooooo, sa'n fè yooooo Sa'n fèw
What are you doing, what are you doing, what are you doing
Ala mele yo mele san
They're mixing without any reason
Depi'n lage n'ba yo rezon
Since we've given them the reason
Sa lèzòm di men se pa sa Bondye di
What humans say isn't always what God says
Yo mèt mare kat la 3/7 nou pap dòmi ap bay kout tèt
They set the city on fire, we won't sleep through it
Nap veye yo – sa'n fèw
We'll watch them, what are you doing, what are you doing
Contributed by Keira I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.