Lyrics — Lakou Mizik

SET LIST FOR CHEFCON 2021 - September 7-9

(Click on Song title for Original Version in Spotify)

1) TITLE: AZOUKE (Advance) - Prayer to Vodou Spirits

Parenn Legba walk with the twins (Dosu/Dosa)

Advance advance

Lakou Mizik walk with the twins

Advance advance

2) TITLE: POZE (Calm Down)

This is a reinterpretation of traditional Haitian song encouraging people to keep their cool and to not pay attention to what others say behind their back. The chorus is a boastful rara song, one that flexes musical muscles and calls out “don’t challenge us.”

Poze, poze moun sa yo, poze wi x2

Stay calm people, stay calm x2

Moun sa yo k ap pale m mal Mwen p ap okipe yo

Those people who talk badly about me, I don’t pay attention to them

Pral voye nouvèl ba yo, Mwen di poze

I’m sending you this message Stay calm!

Repeat x1

Verse 1

Ret trankil se pi gwo remèd ki gen pou kò, non, non, non

Staying calm is the best remedy for you , no, no , no

Ou ka pa tonbe si’w pa antò, wè wè wè

You won’t be taken down if you are not guilty,

Mwen pi fò, m fout’ yon’w kal

I am the strongest, I will win

M’f’on rekò, ou dakò

I have the record, and you know it

Aprè kal sa ti kè w bat fò

After this whupping your little heart beats fast

Ou ta mande bondyè lanmò

You’ll beg God to end your misery

Mwen mete w chita poze!

I’ll make you sit down and relax

Chorus

Moun yo wè yo pale

People see something and they talk

Yo pa wè yo pale

They don’t see something and they talk

Alèlè yo ye, se sou do m yo ye, an ye (x2)

They are gossipers. They gossip about me. (x2)

(Refrain)

Yo la, yo la (yo sispèk) (x4)

There they are - they look suspicious (x4)

Nou voye dlo (nou pa mouye pèsonn oh) (bis 4 fwa)

We throw water (but it’s not to get anybody wet)

Yo pale nou mal ase (x4)

They badmouth us enough (x4)

3) TITLE: PEZE KAFE (Ground Coffee)

This is a traditional song expressing the frustrations of a young boy wrongfully arrested as he goes to the market to sell coffee for his mother to buy food for the family. The boy panics wondering what he’ll tell his parents when he gets home without the money. In this version the band has added new verses to play out the whole story imagining in detail the poor boy’s anxiety at having lost the precious goods that would help feed his family. The new verses add character and depth to this age-old song decrying the injustices people face at the hands of those in power.

VERSE 1

Manman m voye m peze kafe o

My mother sends me to sell coffee

An arivan mwen sou pòtay

As I get to the town’s port of entry

Yon jendam arête mwen (bis)

A policeman arrests me (x2)

Refrain

Mezanmi, mezanmi

My friends, My friends

Sa ma di lakay lè ma rive

What will I say when I get back home?

Ou oo ou oo e wa, sa ma di lakay lè ma rive

What will I say when I get back home?

Manman m pral kale mwen

My mother will whup me

Papa m pral kale mwen tande

So father will whup me

Sa ma di lakay lè ma rive,

What will I say when I get back home?

VERSE 2

Papa m ap tann lajan kafe l o

My father is waiting for the coffee’s money

Bòs Derozye ou se sel temwen

Mr. Derozye you are my only witness

Ki va fè papa m konen

Please tell him what happened

Chodye monte

The pot is on the stove

Kòb gres yap tann o

They are waiting for the money

Mwen pa lòtè pou kafe papa m

That I can’t give from my father’s coffee

Te gaspiye nan gran chimen

That was wasted on the road

RAP VERSE

Yon peze kafe, ki bay kè kase

Just some ground coffee that’s broken a heart

Granmou mwen voye m

The old folks sent me

Pa wè rezon pou m pa ale

No reason for me not to go

Kafou bò anba pòtay la jwèt la konplike

But at the intersection by the port the whole game got complicates

Jandam nan tire pye

The police started shooting

Mezanmi zen pete

My friends, everything got crazy

Bajou preske kase

It was nearly daybreak

E m konnen frèt manman m pike

And I know my mom’s stick is going to sting

Se li ki voye m achète

She’s the one who sent me out to buy

An verite m pa kapab mize

Truly I can’t be late!

Derozye ki tap gade

It was Desrosier that saw it all

Se li sel ki ka temwanye l

He’s the only witness

Mezanmi ede m rele l souple Derozye o e wa

My friends please call him - Desrosier! Ewa!

VERSE 3

Bòs Derosye vinn rakonte m o

Boss Derosier come explain to me

Mwen pa konnen douvan pòt léta

I’ve never been in trouble with the law

Kouman jandame arèté l la

How can the police man arrest me like that

Chodye desann difé gaye o

The pot is off the fire and the coals have been spread

Manche djakout mwen, bajou kaze

My bag is packed the sun is up

m M pral konn kisa k pase

I’m going to find out what happened!

Desrosier O ewa! (x4)

4) ANBA SIKLÒN (In a Hurricane)

This song speaks to the frustrations of the Haitian people who often feel that their lives rise and fall at the whims of foreign governments and NGOs who seem to profit during Haiti’s hardest moments. The chorus claims that during hurricanes and instability numbers are always shifting – a 7 turns to a 9, a 4 turns to an 8 – a reference to the perceived financial fraud that happens during these times of crisis. The people most deserving receive the least. The verse asks the question, “Why? Why do you laugh at our problems, contribute to our suffering in our times of weakness?” The international community in Haiti does have much to answer for. But the song finally turns to pride in the face of this exploitation, “Haiti will change. Haiti will rise up.” The song is in the “Kontradanse” or Contre Danse style which was inherited from the French colonial period and given a Haitian twist with vodou rhythms on traditional drums being played underneath it. This style still exists in the country where dancers form in lines with a master of the dance calling at the moves.

VERSE

Pandan n anba siklòn, e ya, e ya

While we are in the hurricane

Pandan n nan move tan

While we are in the storm

Moun yo fè sèt (7) yo tounen nèf (9)

They turn 7 into 9 (x2)

Pandan n anba siklòn, e ya, e ya

While we are in hurricane

Pandan n nan move tan

While we are in the storm

Moun yo fè sèt (4) yo tounen nèf (8) sd

They turn 4 into 8 (x2)

Moun yo fè sèt (7) yo tounen nèf (9) (bis)

Hmmm they are changing 7 into 9 (x2)

Hmmm moun yo fè kat (4) yo tounen huit (8) (bis)

Hmmm they are changing 4 into 8 (x2)

RAP VERSE

Pouki w ap trip nan pwoblèm mwen

Why are you laughing at my problems?

Kontribiye nan soufrans mwen

Contributing to my suffering

Gad jan w pilonnen bonè mwen Pitye! pitye!

Look how you crush my happiness - pity pity

Ki jan ou pilonnen kilti mwen

Why are you destroying my culture

Pou ki w vle jwi nan feblès mwen

Why are you playing on my weakness?

Gad jan w sèvi ak doulè mwen (Pitye!)

Look how you are using my pain (Pity!)

Ayiti gen pou l chanje (Y’a wè l)

Haiti is going to change (They’’ll see)

Peyi sa a gen pou l vanse (Y’a wè l)

The country must advance (They’’ll see)

Ayiti gen pou l monte (Y a wè l)

Haiti will rise up (They’’ll see)

Leve men w di wi pou li

Raise your hand and say “yes!” to it

First Verse Repeats

Konsyans, konsyans, konsyans, konsyans

Conscience! Conscience! Conscience! Conscience!

5) TITLE: TANBOU FRAPE (The Drum Beats)

The tanbou (traditional Haitian drum) is as much a symbol of Haitian strength and pride as the Haitian flag. The chorus, “When the drum beats our strength doubles,” gives a sense of how deeply this is felt. The song references sources of national pride and identity throughout – touchstones both geographic and spiritual that only Haitians can truly know.

VERSE 1

Ayibobo, laka lakaye

Blessing on the house

Ayibobo, twa baget, twa legede (bis)

Blessing on the three drum sticks

Kote l pase fè tout sanm vibre,

Wherever it is it makes me shiver

Andan zantray nou li deméré

In our guts that’s where it lives

Kote l frape fè tout moun danse

Wherever its playing it makes everybody dance

Ave l nou te chante libète

With it we have sung for freedom

Tout nasyon an te transfòme

The whole nation has been transformed

Sou tèt zòtey nou tap danse

On our tip toes we danced

Tanbou n’ frape gason pa kanpe

When we play our drums, men cannot stand

Non Tout moun nèt konnen se Ayisyen nou ye

Everybody knows that we are Haitian

CHORUS

Ayibobo

Tanbou n frape fòs nou double

When our drum hits our strength doubles

Manman tanbou libète a

The mother drum of Liberty

Tanbou n frape fòs nou double

When our drums beat our strength doubles

Twa tanbou mantò idjaye

The three drums mantò Idjaye *

VERSE

Espri yo n ta pral entèpelé,

We call out the spirits

Desalin manzè defilé,

Dessaline and his wife out walking in the streets

Non mwen pa bezwen konn nasyonalite’w

No I don’t need to know your nationality

Bajou’n nan kafou fòs nou double

Our rhythm is at the crossroads and our strength doubles

Nou tout konn kiyes nou ye,

We know who we are

Yon pil manman ak papa libète

Mothers and fathers of Liberty

Depi w proche wap tou kole tande frè Paske

If you come closer you’ll never want to leave

Tanbou n frappe

Because our drums are beating

(Refrain)

Ou pa konn lakou soukri

You don’t know lakou soukri *

Ou pa konn lakou badjo

You don’t know lakou badjo*

Ou pap ka jwenn bout nou

You won’t find out our roots

Ou pap ka jwen bout nou

You won’t find out our roots

Ou pa konn wout pou w al souvnans

You don’t know the way to Souvnans*

Ou pa konn pik makaya

You don’t know Peak Makaya

Ou pap ka jwen bout nou

You won’t know our roots

Ou pa jam konn jete dlo

You don’t give water to the spirit

Ou pa konn di ayibobo

You don’t say Ayibobo

6) TITLE: SANBA YO PRAN PALE (the poets are speaking)

A “sanba” is a poet and a keeper of oral history in Haitian lore. In the 1980’s a group of young Haitian’s created a back to the earth movement to discover their roots. They took the name of the “sanba’s” as they researched and discovered their history. Sanba Zao of Lakou Mizik was one of the founders of this movement. His song “sanba yo pran pale” is a prayer saying that the sanba’s or the poets are speaking and taking the words directly to the Lwa or spirits.

Sanba Yo pran pale

The poets are speaking

Sanba yo pran pale nan lakou a

The poets are speaking in the sacred lands

Sanba rele lwa yo

The poets are calling the sprits

(Lists spirits)

7) TITLE: MANMAN LAVI (Mother Of Life)

This song, sung as if a “kove” or work song celebrates the role of women and particularly mothers in Haitian society. The sacrifices they make and the hard work they do as the “poto mitan” or “center post” holding up Haitian society. This song also gives a glimpse into life in the countryside where workers and neighbors come together to help till the land and plant.

REFRAIN

alo m bawoul deja (mmm)

Ah I’ve told you this already

anpidi manman (mmm)

Wou roo manman lavi

Mother of life

Wi Manman lanati (mmm)

Yes Mother Nature

VERSE 1

Li leve bone wi pou ale plante

She wakes early to go plant

A size kove a pral debage

At 6am the work party will head out

Res pitimi bonba yo pral plante

They are’ going to plant the rest of the bulgur

Tan an mare sanble lapli Pral tonbe

We better hurry up it looks like the rain is coming

REFRAIN

Alo m bawoul deja (mmm)

Well I told you already..

anpidi manman (mmm)

About my mama

Ou Roy oo manman lavi (mmm)

Mama of life

Wi manman lanati (mmm)

Mother nature

Manman tout pitit ooo

Mama of all small things

Te gentan manmanm jezu

Was also the Mama of jesus

VERSE 2

Papa m sou kabann li poko leve chodye kafe nou gentan prepare

My Papa is still in bed and hasn’t gotten up, but the pot of hot chocolate is already prepared

Bwa m pral chache poum Pwa sou dife a midi fok kove a jwen manje

I’m going to find some wood for the fire because the workers need food at noon

Wi nan kove Se la mw leve

Yes, I was raised in the work crew

Viv ansanm tet ansanm Pataje oooo Royooo

Live together, put our heads together and share

Yon sel dwet pa manje kalalou non non non Anpil men chay palou

One finger can’t eat okra alone, and many hands make light work

Woule eeee tanbou Libete a pou mw oo

Play the drum of liberty for me

Swanye la delivrans Tanbou ladelivrans lan pou mw

“Play” the drum of deliverance for me

Swenge tanbou tet ansanm oo Tanbou tet ansanm nan pou mw oo

Play the drum of putting heads together

Siye pran konsyans ooo anbou pran konsyans lan pou mw

Beat the drums of conscience for me

Mw tand’on tanbou ki frape. Mw tande yon lot ki reponn

I hear one drum beating. I hear another that responds

Tout sila ki te malad geri sevre bondye sevi ak tanbou ouou pou gerizon

All that was sick is healed its true the God uses drums for healing

Tanbou yo konn pale - Tanbou konn kominike

The Drums know how to speak – The Drums know how to communicate

Lespri yo konn pale - Gad jan wap kominike

The spirits know how to speak – See how they communicate

Tanbou yo konn pale - Wi yo konn kominike

The drums know how to speak – Yes they know how to communicate

Tanbou yo konn pale - Gad jan yap kominike

The drums know how to speak – Look at how they communicate

REFRAIN

Wi Li Maynay ou rooyoo Manmanm leve bone Li gen maynay

She works so hard Mama wakes early she’s already got it done

Li maynay ouroyoyooy Kove a debake li gentan maynay (2bis)

She works hard the work crew is leaving but she’s got it all done

Li maynay li gentan maynay (6bis)

She works hard she’s already done it all

VERSE 3

Manmanm pajanme Gen domi nan je

Mama never has sleep in her eyes

Fok lekol inivesite peye

School and University has to be paid for

Mw konen yon jou Vye ko a va tchoule

I know one day her old body will give out

Bondye va banou fos Poun kontinye

God give us all strength to keep going

Wi nan kove Se la mw leve

Yes, I was raised in the work crew

Viv ansanm tet ansanm Pataje oooo Royooo

Live together, put our heads together and share

Yon sel dwet pa manje kalalou non non non Anpil men chay palou

One finger can’t eat okra alone, and many hands make light work

Woule eeee tanbou Libete a pou mw oo

Play the drum of liberty for me

Swanye la delivrans Tanbou ladelivrans lan pou mw

“Play” the drum of deliverance for me

Swenge tanbou tet ansanm oo Tanbou tet ansanm nan pou mw oo

Play the drum of putting heads together

Siye pran konsyans ooo anbou pran konsyans lan pou mw

Beat the drums of consciousness for me

Mw tand’on tanbou ki frape. Mw tande yon lot ki reponn

I hear one drum beating. I hear another that responds

Mw tande timoun yo geri Wi lespri yo te vini

I heard a child was healed yes the spirits came

Lespri yo konn pale – Tanbou konn kominike

The spirits know how to speak – the drums know how to communicate

Tanbou yo konn pale – Gad jan yap kominike

The drums know how to speak – look how they communicate

Lespri yo konn pale - Gad jan yap kominike

The spirits know how to speak – Look at how they communicate

REFRAIN

Wi li maynay ooo Manmanm leve bone Li gentan maynay

She works so hard Mother woke early she’s already done it all

Li maynay ooo kove a debake li gentan maynay (2bis)

She works so hard the work team is leaving she’s already done it all

Manman kote ou ye? Kove a ap chante

Mama where are you? The workers are singing

Se ou yo vinn chache an ale rekolte

It’s you they’re looking for let’s go harvest

Manman nan lakay la m ye Manman mazonbel plante

Mama I’m at the house. Mama still out planting

Manman tontonm finn pile

Mama I finished prepping the food

Apre bondye manman Ou se lavi mw

Mama – aside from God you are my life

Te kwem diw sa deja (mmm)

I think I already told you..

Anpidi manman (mmm)

Ouroy manman l tro piti

Mama it’s too little

Mmm Tanpri met tikal sou li

Please mama put a little more on my plate

Mmm Manman tout pitit oo

Mama just a little more

Maprann ou manman jezu mmmmmmmmmmmmm

I’m learning from you mama

8) TITLE: GAYA (Healing)

This song was Lakou Mizik’s Kanaval song from 2018 with Haitian DJ Michael Brun. In classic “kanaval” style the song shifts between singers and melodic parts and ends in a dance party. The song is a call for Haitians from every corner of the country to come together to celebrate and heal the country.

Moun Jeremie Moun Okay yo Avanse

People of Jeremie People of Au Cayes - Advance!

Moun leogane kote moun Jacmel yo Avanse

People of Leogan where are my Jacmel people? Advance!

Moun Okap moun L’atinonit yo Avanse

People of Au Cap and Peole of the L’Artibonite - Advance!

Moun Fò Cochon moun la gonave yo Avanse

People of Fort Cochon and people of La Gonave - Advance!

Wi peyi sa two rich pou y’al di’l pòv

Yes this country is too rich for them to call us poor

Gaya Gaya Gaya Woy Woy Woy Woy Gaya Gaya

Heal Heal Heal

Se ti peyi gen Citadel la

Its the little coiuntry with the Citadel

Gaya Gaya Gaya Woy Woy Woy Woy Gaya Gaya

Wi se ti peyi Pik Makaya li ye

Its the country with Peak Makaya

Gaya Gaya Gaya Woy Woy Woy Woy Gaya Gaya

Peyi premye pep nan mond la

The country fo the first free people

Gaya Gaya Gaya Woy Woy Woy Woy Gaya Gaya

No si’m piga pran pawol moun ti gason

So don’t listen to the words of other people little boy

Pè djol’w ti gason pa pale pale moun ti gason

Shut your mouth don’t listen to the gossip little boy

Pa antre nan koze moun you ti gason

Don’t listen to what other people are saying

Pè djol’w pa pale kose moun yo ti gason

Shut your mouth don’t repeat what they are saying

Nou pa ka kite yo kraze kilti sa

We won’t let them destroy our culture

Gaya Gaya Gaya Woy Woy Woy Woy Gaya Gaya

Se pa ti bout de dessaline lan

We are the descendants of Dessaline

Gaya Gaya Gaya Woy Woy Woy Woy Gaya Gaya

Pa kite’l pilonnen kilti sa

Don’t let them crush this culture

Gaya Gaya Gaya Woy Woy Woy Woy Gaya Gaya

Premye zile libere a

The first island that was liberated

Gaya Gaya Gaya Woy Woy Woy Woy Gaya Gaya

Nou fe’l nou fe’l nou we se ak kilti’n nou fe’l

We did it we’ve seen that its with our culture we did it

Kafou oh ouvre chemin Kafou o ouvre chemin pou nou pase

At the crossroads clear the path At the crossroads open the path so that we can come through.

Moun Jeremie Okay Avanse

People of Jeremi and Au Cayes - Advance!

Moun leogane kote moun Jacmel yo Avanse

People of leogane and Jacmel - Advance!

Moun Okap moun Potoprense yo Avanse

People of Au Cap and Port-au-Prince Advance!

Chofè moto’m yo Avanse

My Moto drivers - Advance

Moun Bon Repos moun Canaan’m yo

People of Bon Repos and Canaan - Advance

Moun Belèm Cite soley ak Solino yo - Avanse

People of Belle Aire, City Soleil and Solino - Lets Advance!

Ay ay ay ay Deven devan devan net

Forward forward all the way!

An ale an ale an ale an ale

Let’s go let’s go let’s go!