The classic song Loufoulakari by Le Prince Youlou Mabiala (song written by Elba)
(This translation is by Jonas Lusalusa, and with clarifications and annotations here
by me. Jonas also missed entire sections of the song since he was probably
translating this from memory... I may add those later today).. Jonas has a habit of
explaining rather than transcribing lyrics. and there is a poetry lost in doing that..
A part of the problem is that is that his English is still in improvement....
Um…mwana ya mbanda
(The child of a rival)
Beta ye egogo malembe
(Hit him gently)..."beta egogo" is to hit the head with the knuckles, which is a popular punishment for kids in that part of Africa
Noki te akoya ko belela mboka mobimba
(Otherwise he will tell the whole world)
To yokani!
(Do you understand!)
Nakomi ko changer motema oh
(I am changing my mind.)
Nakabi motema na satana
(I am going to behave like the devil.)
Ko bokolo mwana ya mbanda keba obokoli elima
(Raising a rival’s child is like raising a mysterious creature)
Attention eh eh eh
(Be careful)
Keba na eloko ya bato eh
(Watch out;of other people's property [ie..kids])
Ei Eh eh eh
Nakomi ko changer motema oh
(I am changing my mind.)
Nakabi motema na satana
(I am going to behave like the devil.)
Ko bokolo mwana ya mbanda keba obokoli elima
(Raising a rival’s child is like raising a mysterious creature)
Attention eh eh eh
(Be careful)
Keba na eloko ya bato eh
(Watch out; he belongs to someone else)
Ei Eh eh eh
Nayebisaki yo eh eh eh
(I warned you)
Ba zongiseli yo bolamu na kasa
(They are returning your kindness on a leaf) ...Lingala proverb meaning "They are rewarding you badly for your kindness"
Oko ndima eh eh
(You will agree)
Osi ondimi ma ma ma ah
(You have already agreed)
Na ndimi mon cher
(I agreed, my dear)
Boni boye oh
(why this?)
Boni boye ma
(Why this?)
Courant ya Loufoulakari
(The current from Loufoulakari)
Ebwanki yo na mozindo
(Has thrown you into the deep)... [..part of the river]
Moyi ya elanga ekawusaka nde mbebo
(The sun from the dry season dries the lips)
Seka moke oyeba ndenge nini elanga ekangi yo
(Smile a little bit and see how your lips are dry)
Ye ye ye eh mama ah
Amonaki nouveau riche azali ko ya na mofuku na libenga eh
(He sees a newly rich person coming with a pocket full of money)
Abengi na kende weekend na Ba Sentiment a Cote
(He asks me to go spend the weekend at 'Feelings Aside')
Ye lokola alula viva eloko akana na vie na ye
(Since he would like to go out)
Oh botika ye asakana oh
(Let him have fun)
Amemi ye na Pic Nic na La National 1
(He takes him to Pic Nic at La National 1)
Bakomi na chute ya Loufoulakari ambiance a gogo
(They spend a great time at Loufoulakari)
Millionaire abuaki mbongo na katikati ya ebale
(The millionaire throws money in the middle of the river)
Alobi landa soki ozui
(He tells him "chase it, if you catch it")
Kamata ekomi yayo
("Take it, it belongs to yo")
Amoni yango chance ya la vie
(He considers it a one off opportunity)
Ei eh eh eh eh
Instrumental
Nakomi ko changer motema oh
(I am changing my mind.)
Nakabi motema na satana
(I am going to behave like the devil.)
Ko bokolo mwana ya mbanda keba obokoli elima
(Raising a rival’s child is like raising a mysterious creature)
Attention eh eh eh
(Be careful)
Keba na eloko ya bato eh
(Watch out he belong to someone else)
Ei Eh eh eh
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