Mogoya

A bena bena  e yi  kognouman bena 

A bena bena houn houn gnouman bena allah 

A bena bena tiekoro yi ya gala kan barow bena 

A bena bena moussokoro yi ya woula la kuma gnalen 

Ayi ya a kognouman kadi  allah 

A bena bena e yi ko gnouman bena allah 

Ibe gnouman ke doye siguiro  

Ibe gnouman ke doye fitiriwale a te gnouman nin don 

Tche i be gnouman ke doye badegna la  

Ibe gnouman ke doye  baden djougou a te gnouman nin don 

I be gnouman ke do ye bara la  i be gnouman ke doye baragnokon djougou n go a te gnouman nin don i ye 

A bena bena heyi  heyi  heyi  heee heeee  

A bena bena houn ko gnouman bena allah 

A bena bena moussokoro yi   ya wurala kouma gnana 

Moungne gnouman lokobona  siguiro moungne gnouman lokobona 

Fitiwalew ye gnouman lokobo ne la 

Moungne gnouman lokobona badenou mougne gnouman lokobona  

Gnoumadon bali ka gnouman lokobona 

Moungne gnouman lokobona siguiro mougne gnouman lokobona fitiwalew ye  

Gnouman lokobo ne la 

A bena bena a eh yi kognouman bena  

Oumou kama kama oumou kama afo 

Gnouman don bali ya mandi ne ye eh heee 

Moungne gnouman lokobona pe pe pe  

A bi yala yala be doun ka so  

Ta yan fe na yan fe 

Ta yan fe na yan fe 

Eh ya eh  

Fitirimawalen do a bena sa

____________

It is right to do good around 

By Allah, it is right to do good around 

It is in the conversation of the elders under the tree 

There is goodness in the evening conversations of the old women 

By Allah, it is right to spread goodness around 

By Allah, it is right to do good around

You may show kindness to someone 

But the ungrateful neighbour would not acknowledge it

You may be good to your brothers or sisters 

But the wicked siblings would not acknowledge it 

You may do good deeds in your marriage

But the unkind spouse would never acknowledge it 

You may show kindness to colleagues at work 

But the bad spiteful co-workers would not acknowledge it 

By Allah, it is right to spread goodness around 

There is goodness in the evening conversations of the old women 

What makes me want not to do good around me? 

Ungrateful neighbours discourage me from doing good 

What makes me want not to do good, brothers and sisters? 

Ungrateful of people make me turn away from doing good

What makes me want not to do good around me? 

Ungrateful neighbours discourage me from doing good 

It is right to do good around 

Chorus:

Ungratefulness is not good at all! 

For Oumou, tell them! Tell them Oumou! 

I don’t like ungratefulness a bit 

It really makes me want not to do good around me 

For Oumou, tell them! Tell them Oumou! 

It goes from house to house 

Going here and going there 

Going here and going there 

It goes from house to house  

Going here and going there 

Going here and going there 

There goes ungratefulness… 

Kokoro don baga mana ke ila i te malo la moko ma oko 

Kokoro don baga mana ke ila i te siran na ko gne oko 

Djigui moko ma na ke  ila i te kabala ko ma oko 

Kokoro don baga mana ke ila ite malola moko ma  

I mi ni djoukourou dene yen kou yi kokoro don baga de yi i la de 

Moko nin fing djoukourou dene ye kouye  kokoro don baga de yi i la 

Fourou ke djoukurou dene ye kouye foudou mousso gnouman le yi kokodo 

Foudou mousso djoukourou denin ye kouye tche foudouke gnouman de yi kokodo ke 

Massakeye djoukourou denin de kouye gnamadenyi de  ye layi kokodo 

Donkililala djoukourou denin ye kouye folila gnouman leyi kokodo ke 

Mokoninfing djoukourou denin ye kouye tche kokorodo baga eh allah 

Kokoro don baga mana kila i te malo la moko ma oko 

Kokoro don baga mana kila i te siran kogne oko 

Djigui moko mana ke i la i te kabala ko ma oko 

Ko kokoro don baga mana kila i te malo la mogo tchi ma 

Imini djoukourou denin ye kouye tche kokoro don  baga le yi la de 

Mokoninfing djoukourou denin ye kokoro don baga eh allah 

Kouye kouye kouye kokoro don baga eh allah 

Kouye kouye kouye kokoro don baga eh allah 

Kokorodon baga te moko min na okonin be toro 

Ni djigui moko te moko min na okonin be  gnani 

Dmebaga te moko min na okoni be toro 

Djoukourou den baga te moko min na e konin be  gnani 

Kokoro don baga te moko min na okonin be gnani 

Demebaga te moko min na okinin be toro 

Ni djigui moko te moko min na okoni ni toro 

Djoukourou den baga te moko min na e koni na gnani 

Djoukourou denin le kouye kokoro don baga leyi la wa 

Djoukourou denin ye kouye  tche kokoro don baga leyi la deh 

Djoukourou denin kouye kokoro don baga eh allah 

____________

A person who has someone to lean on is full of confidence 

A person who has someone to lean on fears nothing 

A person who has a solid support is not easily impressed 

A person who has someone to lean on is full of confidence 

If your “backside” is resting, then you have someone to lean on 

A person with their “backside” resting, means they have someone to lean on 

An overconfident husband knows quite well he can lean on his strong spouse 

An overconfident wife is also conscious she can lean on a loving husband 

A head of state can only succeed with the support of his fellow countrymen 

A singer with their “backside” resting means they can count on good musicians 

A person who has someone to lean on is full of confidence 

A person who has someone to lean on fears nothing 

A person who has a solid support is not easily impressed 

A person who has someone to lean on is full of confidence 

If your “backside” is resting, then you have someone to lean on 

A person with their “backside” resting, means they have someone to lean on 

A person who has someone to lean on is full of confidence 

A person who has someone to lean on fears nothing 

A person who has a solid support is not easily impressed 

A person who has someone to lean on is full of confidence 

If your “backside” is resting, then you have someone to lean on 

A person with their “backside” resting, means they have someone to lean on 

Kuy kuy kuy kuy, you have someone to lean on 

Kuy kuy kuy kuy, you have someone to lean on 

Kuy kuy kuy kuy, you have someone to lean on 

A person with nobody to turn to will struggle in life 

If you have no one to support you, you will suffer in life 

If you have no one to help you, you will struggle in life 

If you have no one to lean on, you will suffer in life

A person with nobody to turn to will struggle in life

If you have no one to help you, you will struggle in life 

If you have no one to support you, you will suffer in life

If you have no one to lean on, you will suffer in life 

Chorus: 

If your “backside” is resting, then you have someone to lean on 

If your “backside” is resting, then you have someone to lean on 

If your “backside” is resting, then you have someone to lean on 

I fadjamou fonye i fadjamou fo 

I fa yere djamou fonye soma yelema aola 

Ne fadjamou sangare ne fadjamou ye sangare 

Nfa yere sangare soma yelema aola 

I badjamou fonye i badjamou fo 

I ba yere djamou foneye soma yelema aola 

Ne badjamou diakite ne ba konye fulaye  

Mba yere diakite soma yelema aola 

I den djamou fonye i dendjamou fo 

I den yere djamou fonye soma yelema aola 

Ne den djamou haidara ne dendjamou ye haidara 

Nden yere serifu ye soma yelema aola 

I teriw yoro fonye i teriw fo 

I teriw yere yoro fonye soma yelema aola 

Ne teri dowbe senegal ne teri dowbe burkina 

Nteri yere oube malibala soma yelema aola 

I teriw yoro fonye i teriw fo 

I teriw yere yoro fonye soma yelema aola 

Ne teri dowbe niger ne teri dowbe cameroun 

Nteri  yere oube algerie soma yelema aola 

I teriw yoro fonye i teriw fo 

I teriw yere yoro fonye soma yelema aola 

Ne teri dowbe laguinee ne teri dowbe codowari 

Nteri  yere franci soma yelema aola 

Aye ma ye foli wilila wi dounia 

Aye ma ye foli wilila senenkouya dounia kono 

Dounia malibala benissia 

Numoudete fila mano 

Foli wilila dunya 

Wa fila denin te noumou malo 

Foli wilila dunya 

Horon djente horon dewu 

Foli wilila dunya 

Wa horon denin te djonden soso 

Foli wilila dunya 

Bozo dente kado dewu 

Foli wilila dunya 

Wa kado denin te bozo malo 

Foli wilila dunya 

Maraca te maninka soso 

Foli wilila dunya 

Wa maninka denin te maraca lewu 

Foli wilila dunya 

_______

Tell me about your father’s family name 

My father’s family name is Sangaré, he is a real Sangaré 

And that has not changed  

Tell me about your mother’s family name 

My mother’s family name is Diakité, she is a Diakité  

A true Fula, and that has not changed 

Tell me about your son’s family name 

My son’s family name is Haidara, he is a Haidara 

A true Sherif*, and that has not changed 

Tell me where your friends are from, where your true friends are 

My friends live in Senegal, some are from Burkina 

I have true friends in Mali and that has not changed 

Tell me where your friends are from, where your true friends are 

My friends live in Niger, some are from Cameroon 

I have true friends in Nigeria and that has not changed 

Tell me where your friends are from, where your true friends are 

My friends live in Guinea, some are from Côte d’Ivoire 

I have true friends in France and that has not changed 

Let me tell the world the party has started 

The Sanankounya** party has started 

In the world and in the great Mali 

Everyone carries their own identity 

A Numu (blacksmith)*** will never dishonour a Fula and a Fula will not shame a blacksmith 

People of caste will not shame the noble and the noble will not be disobliging towards caste people.  

The Bozo will not dishonour the Dogon and the Dogon will not bring shame on a Bozo.  

The Soninké will not be disparaging to a Malinké and the Malinké will not dishonour a Soninké.  

Everyone carries their own identity 

Eh mali niale ma maliniale malinya mogolew mali niale ima 

Sadjo lale mouneye 

Eh mali niale ma maliniale malinya mogolew mali niale ima 

Sadjo lale mouneye 

Mali diara sa malidia mali diara maliden fanfan 

Meke yera sambou yere maliden  

Foto mogo bana wassoulou 

Eh mali niale ma maliniale malinya mogolew mali niale ima 

Sadjo lale mouneye 

Eh mali niale ma maliniale malinya mogolew mali niale ima 

Sadjo lale mouneye 

Eh mali niale ma maliniale malinya mogolew mali niale ima 

Sadjo lale mouneye 

Eh mali niale ma maliniale malinya mogolew mali niale ima 

Sadjo lale mouneye  

_________

Chorus:  

Mali is advancing, Malian leaders, Mali is evolving 

Let’s enjoy life, because dying young is a curse 

Let’s enjoy life, this world is only ephemeral 

Let’s enjoy life, dear companions, life is about having fun 

Let’s enjoy life, because this world is just a tale 

Let’s have fun, my beloved friends, life is about having fun 

Because dying young is a curse 

Slander cannot kill anyone 

It doesn’t stop anyone from doing what they like 

Slander cannot kill anyone 

It doesn’t stop you doing what you like in Wassulu 

Slander cannot kill anyone, good people of Mali 

But dying young is a really a curse 

Mali has evolved, Maliba has evolved 

I call on all Malians, wherever they are 

To return home and work for the country 

Factories have opened, cement is being made 

Mali has evolved 

Iron ore and gold have been discovered 

Mali is developing 

All Malians living abroad should come back home 

Mali has evolved 

Slander cannot kill anyone 

If it did, Sangaré Oumou would have been gone by now 

Slander cannot kill anyone 

I still went on tour around the world 

Touring in Australia, where I found success 

I went on tour in France and I found success there 

So, slander cannot kill anyone 

If it did, Sangaré Oumou would have been gone by now 

But slander cannot kill anyone 

Ah tché, kana negue, dugukamelemba ni kana négue sa 

Ah tché, kana negué, dugukamelemba ni kana négué sa 

Ko torote sebe sa derimagnew ne dianye mogonye n’a somainela 

Ne dianye mogoni mirimagnew ne filani nteri diarabi magni 

Ne wolole tarala kuma magnew n’filani nyoyonyé na n’soma magni sa 

Bamako tarala mirimagnew ne dianye mogo diarabi magni 

Ah tché, kana negue, wulakadjanfa kana tinya fo 

Ah tché, kana negué, dugukamelemba ni kana négué sa 

Ou bi negue ki negue ki negue ki negue ki negue ndogo 

Kamelemba a bi mounou mounou ki la espérer ki tromper 

A bi roulé ki roulé ki roulé ndogo 

A bi nyanamini ki mounou mounou ki tromper 

Eh ah ah ah i ta nyogon ye 

A bi rouler ki rouler ki rouler ki rouler ki tromper ndogo 

A bi mounou mounou ki destabiliser ki tromper 

A bi mounou mounou ki la espérer ki désespérer,  

Eh allah ! 

Ko hi lahilahilala mamadou lasolou lahi  

Wika soni ni oula dalela  

Malideni ni oulada lela 

Sangaré kono ba folala 

Woyka tchebaw ni oulada lela,  

Dugu kamelembaw ni oula dalela 

Sangaré oumou bafolala 

Wika soni ni oulada lela  

Mogobalew ba ou nyamou nemba 

Kana negue kana negue tché kamalemba ou ka destabiliser  

A mandi nyé 

Ah tché, kana negue, dugukamelemba ni kana negue sa 

Ah tché, kana negué, dugukamelemba ni kana négué sa 

I ba bo wale dema suguruba et tate sokono eto labandon dé 

Kanafo wale dema torokutala eta dimbeye eto labandon 

I ba fo wale dema kamelemba ebabe sokono eto labandon labolodé 

Ka bo wale dema dolomina e ta dimbeye eto tchokodo folon 

Ah tché, kana negue, wulakadjanfa kano tinya 

_________

Chorus 

Stop lying to me, players; don't mess me about 

Stop lying to me, players; don't mess me about 

One can have fun and remain serious; love si hard and I'm missing my lover 

My love and soulmate, I'm thinking of you and feeling heartache 

When I'm travelling, I miss my lover and soulmate a lot 

When I go to Bamako, I suffer heartache from missing my love and soulmate 

Chorus

Stop deceiving me for nothing, you are so far away 

Stop deceiving me, players; don't mess me about 

My little sister, they will tell you lie after lie after lie... 

The player will mess with you, give you hope and deceive you 

Little sister, he will fool you, fool you and fool you... 

He will make you dizzy, mess you around and deceive you, eh! 

You will not see it coming! 

Little sister, he will fool you, fool you, fool you, fool you and deceive you 

The player will mess you around, destabilise you and deceive you 

He Will mess you around, raise your hope then make you desperate 

Eh Allah! 

I greet Malians, Sangaré Oumou say good evening to you 

I greet all men, I greet players/play-boys 

Sangaré Oumou say hi to you 

I greet all Malians… 

Quit lying to me, don't deceive me; don't destabilise me, player 

I don't like that 

Chorus 

Stop deceiving me for nothing, you are so far away 

Stop deceiving me, players; don't mess me about 

You call other people's daughter whore; do you know what yours will become? 

Don't call someone else's son a drug addict, as you don't know the fate of your own 

Don't call someone else's son a player/play-boy, as you don't know the fate of your own 

Don't call someone else's son a drunk, as you don't know the fate of your own 

Chorus: 

Stop deceiving me for nothing, you are so far away.  

Kokoro don baga mana ke ila i te malo la moko ma oko 

Kokoro don baga mana ke ila i te siran na ko gne oko 

Djigui moko ma na ke  ila i te kabala ko ma oko 

Kokoro don baga mana ke ila ite malola moko ma  

I mi ni djoukourou dene yen kou yi kokoro don baga de yi i la de 

Moko nin fing djoukourou dene ye kouye  kokoro don baga de yi i la 

Fourou ke djoukurou dene ye kouye foudou mousso gnouman le yi kokodo 

Foudou mousso djoukourou denin ye kouye tche foudouke gnouman de yi kokodo ke 

Massakeye djoukourou denin de kouye gnamadenyi de  ye layi kokodo 

Donkililala djoukourou denin ye kouye folila gnouman leyi kokodo ke 

Mokoninfing djoukourou denin ye kouye tche kokorodo baga eh allah 

Kokoro don baga mana kila i te malo la moko ma oko 

Kokoro don baga mana kila i te siran kogne oko 

Djigui moko mana ke i la i te kabala ko ma oko 

Ko kokoro don baga mana kila i te malo la mogo tchi ma 

Imini djoukourou denin ye kouye tche kokoro don  baga le yi la de 

Mokoninfing djoukourou denin ye kokoro don baga eh allah 

Kouye kouye kouye kokoro don baga eh allah 

Kouye kouye kouye kokoro don baga eh allah 

Kokorodon baga te moko min na okonin be toro 

Ni djigui moko te moko min na okonin be  gnani 

Dmebaga te moko min na okoni be toro 

Djoukourou den baga te moko min na e konin be  gnani 

Kokoro don baga te moko min na okonin be gnani 

Demebaga te moko min na okinin be toro 

Ni djigui moko te moko min na okoni ni toro 

Djoukourou den baga te moko min na e koni na gnani 

Djoukourou denin le kouye kokoro don baga leyi la wa 

Djoukourou denin ye kouye  tche kokoro don baga leyi la deh 

Djoukourou denin kouye kokoro don baga eh allah 

__________

A person who has someone to lean on is full of confidence 

A person who has someone to lean on fears nothing 

A person who has a solid support is not easily impressed 

A person who has someone to lean on is full of confidence 

If your “backside” is resting, then you have someone to lean on 

A person with their “backside” resting, means they have someone to lean on 

An overconfident husband knows quite well he can lean on his strong spouse 

An overconfident wife is also conscious she can lean on a loving husband 

A head of state can only succeed with the support of his fellow countrymen 

A singer with their “backside” resting means they can count on good musicians 

A person who has someone to lean on is full of confidence 

A person who has someone to lean on fears nothing 

A person who has a solid support is not easily impressed 

A person who has someone to lean on is full of confidence 

If your “backside” is resting, then you have someone to lean on 

A person with their “backside” resting, means they have someone to lean on 

A person who has someone to lean on is full of confidence 

A person who has someone to lean on fears nothing 

A person who has a solid support is not easily impressed 

A person who has someone to lean on is full of confidence 

If your “backside” is resting, then you have someone to lean on 

A person with their “backside” resting, means they have someone to lean on 

Kuy kuy kuy kuy, you have someone to lean on

Kuy kuy kuy kuy, you have someone to lean on 

Kuy kuy kuy kuy, you have someone to lean on 

A person with nobody to turn to will struggle in life

If you have no one to support you, you will suffer in life

If you have no one to help you, you will struggle in life 

If you have no one to lean on, you will suffer in life 

A person with nobody to turn to will struggle in life 

If you have no one to help you, you will struggle in life 

If you have no one to support you, you will suffer in life 

If you have no one to lean on, you will suffer in life 

Chorus: 

If your “backside” is resting, then you have someone to lean on 

If your “backside” is resting, then you have someone to lean on 

If your “backside” is resting, then you have someone to lean on 

Kounkoun ai kana kounkoun mbona 

Kounkoun ai kana kounkoun mbona 

Nyenye kana nyenye mona 

Nyenye kana nyenye mona 

Ya mogolew ai ma kounkoun loa 

Maliden nyuman no aima kounkoun me wa 

Ai mai kounkoun noa 

Neta ma nyogonlew ni e kounkoun ye alla 

Mogo si na mousso djougou debe kounkoun moyela 

Kounkoun 

Moussou furuke djouroubi nye nye mode 

Nye nye 

Eh mogabara nyogon djougou debi koukoun boyela  

Kounkoun 

Mogota ma nyogon debi nye nye saratasa 

Nye nye 

Kounkoun ai kana kounkoun mbona 

Kounkoun ai kana kounkoun mbona 

Nyenye kana nyenye mona 

Nyenye kana nyenye mona 

_______

Chorus

Please stop slandering me, don’t spread lies about me 

People, don’t you know what slanders are? 

Good people of Mali, have you not heard the lies? 

Don’t you know about the slanders? 

My dear companions, these are slanders 

They are spread by wicked co-wives 

They can be spread by a bad husband 

They can be spread by a jealous co-worker 

They can be spread by a malicious travelling companions 

Even by an ill-intentioned family member 

My dear companions, these are the slanders 

You can pound rice; you can pound maize, millet or fonio 

To sort out the grains, but not with humans 

A bad neighbour will take you apart by slandering you 

Your wicked sibling is capable of slandering you 

Your bad husband will slander you without a shame 

Please stop slandering me, don’t spread lies about me 

I don’t want anyone to spread false news about me 

I don’t want anyone to spread false news about me 

People of Wassulu, don’t you know what slanders are? 

Aunt Mineta, we will talk about slanders in Wassulu 

People of Daoudabougou, have you not heard the lies? 

Aunt Mineta, we haven’t talked about the false news 

There are so many lies being spread about Sangaré Oumou 

Good people of Mali, please don’t spread these lies 

My dear companions, these are the slanders 

Please stop slandering me, don’t spread lies about me

I don’t want anyone to spread false news about me

Please stop slandering me, don’t spread lies about me 

I don’t want anyone to spread false news about me 

Please stop slandering me, don’t spread lies about me 

I don’t want anyone to spread false news about me 

Ah ah minata waraba ah ah nelanyon a temba 

Ah ah minata waraba ah ah nelanyon a temba 

Neta ma nyogonlew ni e kounkoun ye alla 

Mogo si na mousso djougou debe kounkoun moyela 

Kounkoun 

Moussou furuke djouroubi nye nye mode 

Nye nye 

Eh mogabara nyogon djougou debi koukoun boyela  

Ah ah minata waraba ah ah nelanyon a temba 

Ah ah minata waraba ah ah nelanyon a temba 

Neta ma nyogonlew ni e kounkoun ye alla 

Mogo si na mousso djougou debe kounkoun moyela 

Kounkoun 

Moussou furuke djouroubi nye nye mode 

Nye nye 

Eh mogabara nyogon djougou debi koukoun boyela  

Ah ah minata waraba ah ah nelanyon a temba 

Ah ah minata waraba ah ah nelanyon a temba 

_____________

Chorus: 

Ah Mineta the lioness, there is no one like my mother 

Numu Tènèn’s daughter Mineta, the lioness with no equals in Wassulu 

Madio Salimou’s lioness, you are incomparable 

Lioness! 

Mineta Sidiki’s lioness, she has no equals 

Lioness! 

Diakité Sekoba’s lioness, she is incomparable 

Diakité Mamadou’s mother, lioness, she is incomparable 

Sangaré Faly’s mother, lioness, she is incomparable 

Lioness! 

Sangaré Oumou’s mother, the lioness, my mother has no equals 

Sangaré Maissata’s mother, the lioness with no equals 

Lioness! 

Diakité Mamadou’s mother, lioness, she is incomparable 

Diakité Bakari’s mother, lioness, Mina is incomparable 

Lioness! 

Diakité Benogo’s mother, lioness, she is incomparable 

Ma Sangaré’s mother, lioness, Mina is incomparable 

Lioness! 

Ah Mineta, you bring hope to the hopeless 

Thank you 

Hey Mineta, you take care of the poor 

Thank you 

Ah Mineta, you bring hope to the orphans 

Thank you 

Hey Mineta, you console the sick 

Thank you 

Ah Mineta, you take care of the poor 

Thank you 

Hey Mineta, you take care of yours and other people’s children 

Ah, my mother used to buy and sell at the market 

She used to go to Koniakari market 

She used to go to markets Kayes-ba  

She used to go to markets in Abidjan 

She used to go to markets in Bamako 

She used to go to markets in Timbuktu 

Mmm, my mother has no equals 

I sing this part for all the mothers 

If your mother does not do something for you 

She will do something to you 

Numu Tènèn’s daughter Mineta, you did a lot for me 

Solomini’s Mineta, you did a lot for me 

Mmm, thank you so much mum 

Mineta, you never accepted to betray your dignity in Bamako 

Mineta, you did not accept anything else but decent work 

Mineta who would take her breast out of her own child's mouth  

and breastfeed other people's children. 

Numu Tènèn’s daughter, thank you for everything 

Numu Tènèn’s daughter Mineta, thank you so much 

Mmm, my mother, my mother, thank you 

Hmm mogoya nyesilani mogoyanye ah ah sisan mogoya 

Konia na mogomima oye keli djoukouye dounia he he sisan mogoya 

Miniana i furuyon mina oye farali djoukouloukan kan he sisan mogoya 

Konia na mogomiwala oye ke li djoukouye dounia he sisan mogoya 

Bi mokolou ou te kolaban 

Bi mokolou ou te kolaban 

Ahi mogoya ne amina mogoya la eh eh sisan mogoya 

Hmmm mogoya ne amini mogolew la eh sisan mogoya tewa 

Bi mokolou ou te kolaban 

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