Mandjou - Salif Keïta

Mandjou, don’t cry

Son of Alpha Touré, don’t cry

Mandjou, don’t cry

Son of Mother Minata Fadiga, don’t cry

Mandjou, don’t cry

Andrée Touré’s husband, don’t cry

Mandjou, don’t cry

André Madou’s father, don’t cry

I’ve come with hope; it’s not yet time to cry

Mandjou, God knows you are right like gold.

Mandjou, don’t cry

Son of Alpha Touré, don’t cry

Mandjou, don’t cry

Little Minata’s father, don’t cry

The world was created around hope; it’s not yet time to cry

Mandjou, God knows you are right like gold.

Mandjou, people boast about their fathers

God has already blessed you with that

Mandjou, parents boast about their children in this world everyday

God has already blessed you with that

Mandjou, the righteous boast about their righteousness, I’m not joking

God has already blessed you with that

Mandjou, don’t cry

Son of Alpha Touré, don’t cry

André Madou’s father, don’t cry

The death of a man with no grey hair hurts more; it’s not yet time to cry

Mandjou, God knows you are right like gold.

I’m calling on the Toure lineage

Can’t you see Mandjou’s great accomplishments

I’m calling on the brave men

Fun and hard work go hand in hand

But fun will give way, one cannot help it.

Son of Alpha Touré, the male hyena

True! Minata Fadiga’s son.

Mandjou works hard at dawn

Mandjou works hard in the dark of the night

Mandjou works hard in the morning time

Mandjou works hard at sunset

I’m calling on the brave warriors; truth is, no one can know God

I’m calling on the male hyena today, the male hyena today.

Whether it rains or not

The soursop tree always bears fruit

You are the soursop tree growing in the water streams and rivers.

Ramata and Siaka’s older brother

Nunkumba’s older brother, good afternoon to you

Mamadou’s father, good afternoon to you

Oh male hyenas, power is best in Mandjou’s hands

He was proven right in many places

I’m talking about the strong man

A son of Alpha Touré’s family

Who is generous to both friends and foes.

Your grandfather was victorious in Miniambalandougou

Your grandfather was not defeated in the battle of Sikasso

Your grandfather came out victorious in the battle of Woyowayanko.

If you dare attack Mandjou

He will batter you beyond recognition

Oh brave warriors, all agreed that papa was right

Truth is best with Mandjou, no one can know God

Minata Fadiga’s son, warrior men

Oh papa, nobody can learn the mysteries of this world

Brave men, power is best in Mandjou’s hands

A son of Alpha Touré’s family; such a joy to praise his name.

Touré the erudite

Master of the word

Diané the erudite

Cissé the erudite

Bérété the erudite.

Mandjou, the master of the word

Mandjou, holder of the truth

Mandjou the good neighbour

Mandjou the good husband

Mandjou the good lover

I’m calling on the brave men; the world is old

I’m calling on the hyena today, calling on the hyena today

No doubt papa is right, hyena from Alpha Touré’s family

Who is generous with both friends and foes.

Papa, a woman’s hope is her beloved husband

She can count on Mandjou

Wild animals rely on the bushes to hide, God

They can count on Mandjou

Papa, fish rely on the deep waters of the river

They can count on Mandjou

Papa, birds rely on the tree branches to rest and nest

They can count on Mandjou

A child relies on their mother for comfort

They can count on Mandjou

Papa, the entire world relies on the creator

It can count on Mandjou.

Mandjou, don’t cry

Son of Alpha Touré, don’t cry

Mandjou, don’t cry

Son of Mother Minata Fadiga, don’t cry

I’ve come with hope; it’s not yet time to cry

Mandjou, God knows you are right like gold.

Mandjou, people boast about their fathers

God has already blessed you with that

Mandjou, parents boast about their children in this world everyday

God has already blessed you with that

Mandjou, don’t cry

Son of Alpha Touré, don’t cry

Mandjou, don’t cry

I’ve come with hope; it’s not yet time to cry

Mandjou, God knows you are right like gold

God knows you are right like gold

God knows you are right like gold

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Salif Keïta (born 1949) Mali

Translated by Manthia Diawara

Source: African Poems