YERRO MAMA

God was with Yerro Mama Gallow, he was a great warrior in the land of our ancestors. With him was Saiku Oumar Gellah Gagi and Alpha Molo all of whom were powerful men of Africa our mother land. Men of big hearts, brave and strong, they fought for land, for power and for pride because it meant a lot to them.

YA TA KAAYA

(I WANT TO STAY FRESH)

Woman of sweet smells, fresh and pleasant ,come near me ,for that is what I want of you.

Women of the world I send you my greetings, I also extend it specially to women of Basse Mansagang Kunda, Brikama Ba, Sinchu Chaawel and to all women.

Jarri Bladeh woman of culture I send you greetings, come and hear what I have to say.

SANAKUBAY

I sing about surnames, they mean a lot in our culture . The surname you bear places you in society and there is not any that is greater or smaller. Surnames can give you a number of privileges,They also guide you in how you talk and behave with others of certain surnames. This includes a lot of teasing but is only meant for fun. Every surname has a number of other surnames they can relate to in this way without any troubles, the wittier the teasing, the better. Therefore allow me to tease and sing for the people of the surnames I can tease. The Jawos are the first for they eat and they are never full. I can tell you this because I am Camara and I hear them cry for food all the time. I even have to give them some of my own food.

In as much as I tease the Jawos they are also great people ,they love their culture and they adore and promote their musicians.

NJATIGI

(HOST)

Host, O great host please receive your visitors and accept them with open hearts. Respect them, guide them, and make them feel at home because this will mean a lot to them.

When you say welcome to a visitor, one day you will have to say goodbye to them as well, therefore be patient and tolerant to visitors for they come and go. Hold them with warmth and goodness because they are far from home and acceptance is all they need.

NAAFIGI

(hypocrite)

Hypocrite, O hypocrite when will you stop going round and causing trouble to innocent men. God save us from a hypocrite for their ways are malicious they love destruction, God give us peace in our hearts and love above all.

Let us love one another like we belong to one mother and father, for we are all from Adam and Eve. I welcome all of you that have come to listen to me for I want you to take home what I have to say. For this I say ‘a ne suku ma’ which means thank you in the Bambara language and ‘on njarama’ which is thank you in Fulani language.

Remember brethren, God has given us each a patch to look after in his farm and we will be blessed according to our efforts. No man can stop the will of God because it is final, he is almighty and has power on all beings so let us be obedient and make him happy.

SUBUHANALAII

(HAVE MERCY)

Have mercy on us O God we are your children we want to be good people. We want you to renew our hearts and make us good in our hearts and our minds.

Don’t hurt your brother or sister or anyone, instead I ask you to stop think and remember to do a good deed for all mankind. Don’t be selfish always consider others, do this and make everyone happy.

NGAMEN

(LETS DANCE)

Let's dance, women, let's dance, sing with me, back me with your sweet, sweet vocals. Clap your hands, clap as you dance to the music. Let's bring joy, play and laughter to the people of all generations and make them feel good.

If you wish I can stay up and play all night for you, or if it happens to be morning I will play till noon, and if noon comes I will continue playing till the sun goes down. All I want is to make everyone happy.

I want to pay special tribute to the women because they are our mothers, our wives, our sisters and our daughters. God bless women in all they do and God bless the men who are their other halves.

NAYO

Let us work hard for Peace and have goodwill in all that we do for this will help the ill hearted among us.

Help me girls because I wanna dance but I might Break .Shake your bodies so I can hear the jingles of The beads round your waist as it makes me tingle. Dance Everybody dance, dance and let’s remember the people of fuladu they love to party.

YO LAY LAY

Yo lay yo lay lay I cried, I vowed that I would not go to the land of the master. Yes I cried, I swore I wouldn't follow the master. He asked me why but I just refused to respond to his question.

Poor me, bound and bruised I felt useless ,and that this is not me. I feel hurt and my heart is heavy, but what can I do? Obey the master or die. He insulted me but it didn’t bother me because I know who I am. I am not a slave, no, I am a shepherd. I take my herds of cattle, sheep and goats into the greenest pastures, full of grass with a mixture of flowers and trees. I walk freely in the fields and I drink milk from the cows I own, yes this is me and this is who I am I am a Shepherd not a slave.

ME WAIRI BAINGURAY AM

(I MISS MY FAMILY)

I miss my family so let me sing for my family a special song. Its been long since I last saw them and my heart is longing for everyone. Leaving my home was sad but the worst is having to leave my wife and children behind, how long it will take me to return I really cannot tell. Right now all I want is to be able to provide for their needs because finding the greenest pastures might take time, months or years I surely do not know.

Man, oh man, what is all this I have to endure in order to make life better for my loved ones. O God, give me your blessings so that I can get something that I can return with , for all I want right now is my home. I can't stand the loneliness anymore, I want to see my country, my people, my wife and my children.

TRANSLATED BY

MRS CECILIA JAWO-CAMPBELL

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