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Friday, 25 October 2024

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

Salif Keïta (born 1949) Mali
Translated by Manthia Diawara

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