Fatoumata Diawara - Nterini

N’kanu taara yòròjanna

Ale ma sòn seginma

N’jarabi taara yòròjanna

Ale ma sòn seginma

 

N’terini, n’terini, n’ko a bè di sa?

Ne jarabi, n’bè a fè k’a nyèlòn de, Ala

N’terini, n’terini, n’ko a bè di sa?

Ne kanu wo, I want to know

 

N’terini, n’terini, n’ko a bè di sa?

Ne jarabi, n’bè a fè k’a nyèlòn de, Ala

N’terini, n’terini, n’ko a bè di sa?

Ne kanu, I want to know

 

Jarabi wale yòròjan takala

A nyènafin bè ne na

Ne bè, ne bè, kanu fè de Ala

Chéri wale yòròjan sigila

A nyènafin de bè n’na

Ne bè kanu fè

 

N’jarabi taara yòròjanna

Ale ma sòn seginma

(N’terini, n’terini)

N’jarabi taara yòròjanna

Ale ma sòn seginma

(N’terini, n’terini)

 

N’jarabi wale yòròjan sigila

A ma fènfò n’ye

Sògòmada tè ne la bòli sa

Tilegwan gwegwe, suko tè ne la bòli sa

Fitirida, sògòmada tè ne la bòli sa

Suko tè ne la bòli sa

Nin ne m’i ye, ja n’tè se n’lala

Sògòmada tè ne la bòli sa

Tilegwan gwegwe, suko tè ne la bòli sa

Fitirida, sògòmada tè ne la bòli sa

Suko tè ne la bòli sa

Nin ne m’i ye, ja ne tè se n’lala

N’terini, n’terini….

...

[Translation from original Bambara lyrics]

[Intro]

This song is about the heartache felt by two lovers separated by distance. My love and my confidant has gone far away and has not sent any news back to me. I love him despite everything and I miss him every day. I want to hear from my darling; otherwise

I cannot sleep well at night

[Verse]

My love has gone far away and may never come back

He has left his family and friends behind and gone away

He may never come back

What am I to do? He was my friend and my confidant

How is he? Just let me know how you are

You have gone to a faraway land

I miss you greatly

You have always been my guide

And I love you with all my heart

My love has taken off

Who knows when he will come back?

My darling has gone far away

And may never come back again

He has gone to live in a faraway country

He has not told me anything

It was not the rough morning weather

That prevented me from seeing him

Nor the heat of the midday sun

Not even the dangers of going out at dusk

Because I could not sleep well if I didn’t see you