hello, i'm looking for Habib Koite lyrics to Cigarette Abana, M'bife, Din din wo and Tomorrow(sadio) and their translations in english if possible. i love his music but i have no idea what he's saying!!

i posted this earlier but i realised my error, M'bife and Tomorrow are not Habib, but Salif Keita. if anyone has those, please put them up and Wassiye by Habib, thanks

Originally Posted by Kay Tabz

hello, i'm looking for Habib Koite lyrics to Cigarette Abana, M'bife, Din din wo and Tomorrow(sadio) and their translations in english if possible. i love his music but i have no idea what he's saying!!

Hi Kay:

I know exactly what you mean and his lyrics are few on the Internet.

Here is Cigarette Abana from the CD Habib Koite and Bamada:

Une bande de garcons commencent a fumer sauf un.
Les autres veulent le convaincre de fumar en liu donnat des exemples
de bienfaits du tabac comme: quand tu fumes le matin, ca te reveille
comme une tasse de cafe ou si tu as une cigarette dans ton lit le soir,
tu n'as meme pas besoin de feme, etc...
Et le journe garcon n'a pas ete convaincu por ces exemples
et il dit non, je ne fue pas.
Mais finalement, if essaye tout de meme et apres s'etre senti si mal,
it dit non, je ne fume plus.

English translation
A bunch of boys all light up cigarettes, except for one.
The others try to coax him by giving examples of the good effects
of tobacco, such as : a smoke in the morning wakes you up
like a cup of coffee, if you have a cigarette in bed at night,
you don't even need a woman, etc.
And the young boy was not convinced by these examples
and says, no I don't smoke
At last, he tries a cigarette but gets sick and says,
"No more cigarettes. I won't smoke anymore."

Here is the English translation from the Muso Ko CD by Habib Koite & Bamada:

I know those who prefer morning happiness
like coffee
me no make
I know who like warm in the warmth
like rice
no me not nothing
I know who like in bed
like a doll
no me not like
I know who like in bed like a muso! muso!

I know who prefer morning happiness
to really wake up
me not nothing
I know who like strong and hot
like Lobito
no me not make
I know like in bed like muso! muso!

No more cigarette, no more cigarette - a bana, a bana

Toto, don't smoke papa's pipe
Toto is stubborn
Toto, don't smoke papa's pipe
You have the head of Toto
spinning all day long
Ah! Toto, a bana
A to Toto, a bana

From Habib Koite & Bamada CD

My child, your mother is coming
your mother has gone to settle a little problem, she won't be long
your mother has gone to a wedding, she won't be long
your mother has gone to a funeral, she won't be long
your mother has gone on an errand, she won't be long
My child, what is wrong?
Your mother hasn't gone far
She will be here any minute

I read that Habib loved to accompany his mother who was a griot which is a person who entertains, is witty and wise, carries news, retains histories and names, and is a key participant in major events such as weddings, funerals and disputes.

Another song on Habib's Afriki's CD called N'Ba (My Mother) is dedicated to his mother. According to the CD booklet note "she was the pillar of the family and greatly influenced Habib's life with her words of wisdom which have guided his life".

Can someone please help me translate Habib Koite song: "Sirata" for me? I've search high and low to find the english translation of this beautiful song. Thank You! :-)

Originally Posted by midomikko

Can someone please help me translate Habib Koite song: "Sirata" for me? I've search high and low to find the english translation of this beautiful song. Thank You! :-)

Hi midomikko:

Ah, another beautiful song from Habib. Here is the English translation/explanation from the CD liner of "Ma Ya" by Habib Koite Copyright 1999 Putumayo World Music.

In the CD liner, the song is titled "Syra Ta". It has the lyrics in Habib's native language, Bambara, as well as French along with these two paragraphs in English.

"In Manding society, it is said that the first daughter brings luck, and that she will be the mother of her young brothers later. She's the one who will go on to fuse the family. That's why her father has to let her a big heritage to help her in her mission.

Syra's arm was used for a branch for the desesperated bird who was looking for a tree at the sign of dryness. Syra confided protection of all the fishes of Bafaro, the soul of the waters, and to Simbo, the lion, the protection of all the animals of the forest. "

Long live Habib and his music!!!

Fondly,
missFeudor