
LYRICS
Di Mi Ku Di Bo
Txika
Lebam Ku Bo
Nta Konsigui
Storia Ki Nkontadu
Nhu Santiagu
Di Mi Ku Bo
Mar Sagrado
Djam Nkrel Pa Mi
Txiku Branku
Tomam El
Joana
Txuputin
Nha Fidju Spera
Nha Violão
Di Mi Ku Di BO (the two of us)
Lyrics & music Elida Sofia Cabral Almeida
© 2016 Africa Nostra
Korpu rapiam
Kantu n pasa na bo
Kabeku labantam
Kantu n roxa na bo
Xintidu kontam
Xintidu kontam
Ma di mi ku di bo
Ka podi fika si
Ma di mi ku bo
Ka ta kaba pa li (bis)
Sempri n obis ta fla
Ma nunka nka ligas
Ma txabi bedju
Ka ta fuliadu
Sempri n obis ta fla
Ma nunka nka ligas
Sapatu bedju
Ka ta fuliadu
Ma di mi ku di bo
Ka podi fika si
Ma di mi ku bo
Ka ta kaba pa li (bis)
My body shivered
When I met you
My hair stood on end
When I brushed against you
My senses awoke
My senses told me
The two of us
It can’t stop here
The two of us
It won’t end like this
I always heard
But took no notice
That a worn key
Must never be thrown away
I always heard
But took no notice
That old shoes
Must not be thrown away
The two of us
It can’t stop here
The two of us
It won’t end like this
Txika
Paroles & musique Carlos Moreira dos Reis – aka Manu Reis
© 2016 Africa Nostra
Txika é bunita ti ki kaba na nada
Probulema é ki Txika, nada ka sabi fazi
Txika fla mel é ka nansi pe lanbuxa ku pretu
Txika fla me ka ta pari nem ku badiu ki fari sanpadjudu
Txika é bunita torna go konpasada
Probulema é ki Txika ka sta pasa ningem karton
Txika ba da odju bentu la Lisboa
Txika bem ku paranoia é fla pa nu ka txomal Txika
Ma se nomi me senhorita Fransiska
Txika ka ta ba rubera pamo rubera tem lama
Lata na kabesa kredu en krus, kel nen si bu pagal
Txika ka ta papia ku N`Doli, pamo ma N`Doli é bakan,
É fla pake ? n`ta kontra ku N`Doli la Praia
Ta fika na nhe nhe nhe ta fika so na tolobaskaria
Txika ka ta kusia na lenha, pamo me ta n´tola e ta intxi d tisna
E fla se pe txera so fumu e ta pui se porfumu e ta fika xeiroza
Txika ka ta bati na tina nem e ka ta feti feti na mo
Txika ka ta ba simentera, Txika ka ta panha lenha
Txika nada ka ta fasiii
Txika sta na sinema, Txika é kre ba sinema
Txika kre ser kapa jornal noticia na radiu
Txika is beautiful beyond compare
The trouble with Txika is she doesn’t know how to do anything at all
Txika says she’s too good to hang out with black people
Txika says she wouldn’t have a baby with men from Santiago or from any other place in Cabo Verde
Txika has poise and beauty
The problem with Txika is she doesn’t give anyone a chance
Txika went to Lisbon
Txika doesn’t want anyone to call her Txika anymore
Because her name is Ms. Francisca
Txika doesn’t walk in the riverbed because it is muddy
She doesn’t carry things on her head, even if you paid her
Txika doesn’t talk to N’Doli, because N’Doli is an idiot
She said, what’s the point? I’ll see N’Doli in Praia
He is always talking nonsense and acting like a clown
She doesn’t cook over firewood, because it gets stuffy and covered in ash
She says, if I’m gonna smell like fumes I’d rather spray on some perfume and smell lovely
Txika doesn’t beat clothes on the washboard or scrub them in her hands
Txika doesn’t go planting in the fields, Txika doesn’t collect firewood
Txika doesn’t do anything at all
Txika’s in a movie, Txika wants to be a star
Txika wants to be a frontpage story and make news on the radio
Lebam Ku Bo
(Take Me With You)
Lyrics: Elida Sofia Cabral Almeida
Music: Elida Sofia Cabral Almeida - Ar, Hernani Almeida
© 2014 Africa Nostra
Su lebam ku bo
Nta ba ku bo
Bu podi marka
Kazamentu ki nta kaza
Nha mai dja fla
Me ta dam boi
Nha madrinha fla
Ma tambe me ta dam sufa
Vizinhus tudu
Dja ka limpa boroncera
Ta djobi panela três pe
Pa cusia mandjoka
Nha pai dja fla
Me ta dam dos kanter di orta
Nha vovo dja manda flam
Pam nba toma kuarta midju
Ma nhas minis ma nhas minis
Dja ka pripara ses bistidu
Pes sirbim dama
Nta ba laxidu panha agu, nta bai
Nta ba ladera fasi lenha, nta bai
Nta da ku joeliu na txom
Nta da ku po na pilom
Nta pila midju
Nta fasi masa
Ah, Nta ba ku bo
Eh, nta ba ku bo
Oh, nta ba ku bo
Nta ba ku bo
Nta ku bo bu kutelu
Su lebam ku bo
Nta ba ku bo
If you take me
I’ll go with you
Fix a wedding date
I’ll marry you
My mother promised me an ox
My godmother will give me a couch
My neighbors have already cleaned everything
The big pans
Are ready to cook the manioc
My father will dig me a kitchen garden
My grandmother has put aside
A sack of corn for me
The girls have prepared their
Bridesmaid dresses
I’ll go and fetch water
Gather wood, kneeling on the ground
I’ll crush corn with the pestle
To make flour
I’ll go with you
To your hillside
If you take me
I’ll go with you
NTA KOnsigui
(I’ll Make It)
Lyrics: Elida Sofia Cabral Almeida
Music: Elida Sofia Cabral Almeida - Ar, Hernani Almeida
© 2014 Africa Nostra
Keli e nha vida
Keli e nha storia
Keli e nha mundu
Ki npodi skrebel
Num padas di papel
Ki npodi abrevial
Menus ki um minutu
Eia eia eia eia
E si ke nha vida
Eh eh eh eh
E si ke nha storia
Xeiu di altus i baxu
Xeiu di pontus i frakasus
Xeiu di perdas i vitoria
Memu assim nka ta disuspera
Nau nau nau, nau nau nau nau
Pamodi nsabi ma nta supera
Nu ki nkre nta insisti
Kem ki nkre nta pirsisti
Nka ta disisti
Pamodi nsabi ma nta konsigui
Keli e nha vida
Keli e storia pikinoti
Ki ta leba num padas di papel
Ora doci, ora margos
Ora dretu, ora mariadu
E si ke nha vida
Ora pretu, ora branku
Ora ta ri, ora ta txora
E si ke nha storia
Mas mundu dja nbem dja
Nta futi futi ti ki ntxiga la
Mas mundu dja nbem dja
Nta futi futi ti ki ntxiga la
Pamodi nsabi ma nta konsigui
It’s my life
It’s my story
It’s my world
I could write it
On a scrap of paper
I could sum it up
In less than a minute
Eia…
It’s my life
Eh…
It’s my story
With highs and lows
Successes and failures
Defeats and victories
But I don’t lose hope
No, no, no
I know I’ll get by
I’ll get what I want, I’ll persevere
I’ll persist
I won’t desist
I know I’ll make it
It’s my life
It’s my little story
Told on a scrap of paper
Sometimes sweet, sometimes bitter
Sometimes good, sometimes bad
Storia Ki Nkontadu
(The Story I was Told)
Lyrics: Elida Sofia Cabral Almeida
Music: Elida Sofia Cabral Almeida - Ar, Hernani Almeida
© 2015 Africa Nostra
Sabura dja ka sta na mundu
Fladu ma morti sta bidjaku
So n ta obi ma flanu dja bai
Duensa go nka sabi di undi a ta sai
Ti falta dagu dja tem
Txuba ka sa ta bem
Homi dja toma mundu
Pa di sel
Ti falta dagu dja tem
Txuba ka sa ta bem
Kau sta disordiadu
Djam nkre odja Kabu Verdi
Ki nlabanta n obi ta fladu
Sodadi di kel ki nka konxi
So storia ki n kontadu
There’s nothing good left in this world
They say that death is cunning
They say that some guy has left us
Sickness gives no warning
It’s the drought
The rain that never comes
People think the world
Belongs to them
It’s the drought
The rain that never comes
All is chaos
I’d like to see the Cape Verde
I’ve always heard about
I’m homesick for something I never knew
But those are just tales
Nhu Santiagu
(Mr. Santiago)
Lyrics: Elida Sofia Cabral Almeida
Music: Elida Sofia Cabral Almeida - Ar, Hernani Almeida
© 2014 Africa Nostra
Tudu bes ki ntem txeu tempu
Nka txiga Santiagu
Fadiga ta dam
Korasom ta pertam
Pamodi la ki sta nha fonti di inspirasom
Nha biku la ki sta interadu
Ntem sodadi papia ku nhas bedjus
Pam brinka ku nha mininus
Na mei di banana
Nhu Santiagu
Nta lebabu na nha petu
Santa Kruz di meu
Nta karegau riba nha kosta
Kaba go nem nka ta kansa
Ah Matinhu Matu Madera ntem ki bai
O ma ntem ki passa pa Laranjeira
O ma ntem ki subi kebrada
Pam nba toma bensom la na Mozinha
Ah Matinhu Riba tambe ntem ki bai
Pam nfla gudedja mo ki stadu
O ma ntem ki passa pa Cruz
Pam nba toma bensom la na Sabina
Nhu Santiagu
Nta lebabu na nha petu
Santa Kruz di meu
Nta karegau rima nha kosta
Kaba nem nka ta kansa
Every time I leave
My island of Santiago
I’m feverish
And there’s a lump in my throat
You’re my inspiration
My umbilical cord is rooted in you
I want to talk to my elders
And play with my children
In the banana plantations
Mr. Santiago
You’re in my heart
I carry my town of Santa Cruz
On my back
And never grow tired
I’ll go to Matinhu Matu Madera
Via Laranjeira
I’ll go up to ask
Monzinha to bless me
I’ll visit Matinhu Riba, too
To say hello to everybody
I’ll call in at Cruz
To obtain Sabina’s blessing
Mr. Santiago
You’re in my heart
I carry my town of Santa Cruz
On my back
And never grow tired
Di Mi Ku BO
(You and Me)
Lyrics: Elida Sofia Cabral Almeida
Music: Elida Sofia Cabral Almeida - Ar, Hernani Almeida
© 2014 Africa Nostra
Paxenxa mi djam odja
Ma ka sta da mas
Ka bali pena mas insisti
Bem fika ta txora
Fika ku odiu di kumpanheru
Di mi ku bo (ka sta da mas)
Di mi pa bo (dja ka sta mas)
Di nos dos (sa ta ba so pa traz)
E midjor (ki nu fika pa li)
Ta txiga cedu
Kada um pa si banda
Ora ki noti
Djobi kumpanheru so ungulidu
Nu ka mesti mas insisti (ka sta da mas)
Nu ka mesti mas insisti (ka sta da mas)
Papia txeu (pa ke)
Vivi asi (nka kre)
Nu ka sta (na korda kifari maradu)
Nu ka mesti mas insisti (Ka sta da mas)
Nu ka mesti mas insisti (Ka sta da mas)
Papia txeu (pa ke)
Vivi asi (nka kre)
Nu ka sta (na korda kifari maradu)
Oi oi oi (Nu ka sta na korda kifari maradu)
Sadly I see
It’s all gone wrong
Better to give up
Than cry
And hate each other
You and me are over
No, it isn’t working
We’re going backward
Best leave it there
In the morning
We go our different ways
When evening comes
We don’t look for each other anymore
Better to give up
Better to give up
Talking gets us nowhere
I don’t want to live like this anymore
Unattached, unmarried
Better to give up
Better to give up
Talking gets us nowhere
I don’t want to live like this anymore
Unattached, unmarried
Mar Sagrado
(Holy Sea)
Lyrics & music: Jorge Tavares Silva
© 2014 Africa Nostra
E-eh! Kamin di mar
Faka feridu dentu nha petu
Nta djamubu dentu di mi
Si ponta di veu ka txiga txon
Nen grinalda ka sribi se donu
E-eh! Mar sagrado
Npupa mundu ngeme ka volta
Sakedu xintadu da tudu kelme
Dexan djamubu dentu di mi
N odja rama na Ceu
N odja korbu na kruz
Nka speraba ki era pa mi
Mar sagradu forti bu nganan
Kasamentu era manhan
Nha nobreza era pa bo
Spera oji spera manhan
Spera manhan pa nunka mas
E-eh! The path to the sea
Is a wound in my heart
That grips my whole being
My bridal veil
And my crown of flowers
Will be of no use
E-eh! Holy sea
I cried, I moaned before the world
I begged in silence, but he didn’t come back
Holy sea, I carry you within me
I saw streaks in the sky
Crows on the crosses
Bad omens
Holy sea, you destroyed me
The wedding was tomorrow
My virtue was for him
I’ve waited for that day
I’ll wait for that day forever
Djam Nkrel Pa Mi
(I Want Her to Myself)
Lyrics & music: Elida Sofia Cabral Almeida
© 2014 Africa Nostra
O Rapasinhu
Dexa di imprudencia
Dexa malkriadesa
Ka bu da minin di gueti ku pedra
Onti Nha Francisca
Txomam la di kelotu lem
Ta flam
Ke pam toma kontal bo
Onti Nhu Dimingu
Txiga na mi
Ta sunsuram
Ke pam mara nha bodeku
E fla o mama
E ka malkriadesa
Bu sabi min recebi
Tudu kel ki bu dam
Ma o ki n odjal
Nha korasom ta dam kram
Fadiga ta dam
Nta txomal e ka ta kudim
Mama djam nkrel pa mi
Papa djam nkrel pa mi
Hey, little boy
Be careful
Stop being ill-bred
Don’t throw stones at other children
Yesterday, Madam Francisca
Called me from way over there
To tell me
To keep an eye on you
The other day, Mr. Domingo
Came to see me
And begged me
To keep my brat on a leash
Oh, mama
I’m not ill-bred
I learned
Everything you taught me
But when I see her
My heart races
I’m all stirred up
I call to her and she doesn’t answer
Mama, I want her
Papa, it’s her that I want
Txiku Branku
(INB - Txiku: short for Francisco / Branku: white)
Lyrics & music: Elida Sofia Cabral Almeida
© 2014 Africa Nostra
Mi nobu dentu nha tempu
Bragerus tudu na roda
Ta djobi um skapulu
Pa tram um txabasku
Ma nha forsa e grandi
Nha diseju e ka pikinoti
Fadiga ka dam
Xintidu ka kansam
Nha nobeza e ka di bo
Ami e di Txiku Branku
Ki ba trabadja na Lisboa
Pa nu bem goza raforma
Eia! Nha nobeza e ka di bo
Eia! Ami e di Txiku Branku
Bu ka tem nada (pa bu dam)
Sai di nha bera (ko intentam)
Nha mai tem dor (di bufinu)
Ki disgrasal si bida
Eia nha nobeza e ka di bo
Eia ami e di Txiku Branku
When I was young
Boys courted me
Using their tricks
To capture the spoils
But my strength and willpower
Were great
I didn’t weary
Or lose my head
My virtue isn’t yours
I belong to Txiku Branku
Who works in Lisbon
And will come back to enjoy his retirement
Eia! My virtue isn’t yours
Eia! I belong to Txiku Branku
You have nothing to offer me
Leave me alone, don’t tempt me
My mother still suffers because of that smooth talker
Who destroyed her life
My virtue isn’t yours
I belong to Txiku Branku
Tomam El
(Take It From Me)
Lyrics: Elida Sofia Cabral Almeida
Music: Elida Sofia Cabral Almeida - Ar, Hernani Almeida
© 2015 Africa Nostra
Ka bu liga si nka papia
N kre so obi voz
Si nka txiga na bo
Nkre xinti bu pasu ta bem te mi
Para li djobi pa mi
Nka tem kulpa si nhor Deus fazem si
Sem jetu ku plavras
Ma ninguem ta amau mas ki mi
Tomam el e poku
Keli ki ntem pam ndau
Bu mereci mundu
Ma keli e nha tudu
Don’t worry if I don’t say anything
I only want to hear your voice
If I get closer to you
I want to hear your footsteps coming towards me
Just stop and look at me
It’s not my fault, God made me this way
I’m not good with words
But nobody loves you more than I do
Take the little
I have to offer you
You deserve the world
But it’s all I have
Joana
Lyrics & music: Elida Sofia Cabral Almeida
© 2014 Africa Nostra
Bariga bira si kortam
Kabelu na kabesa labantam
Ma nka pensaba nka maginaba
Si tudu keli era boa nova
Di Joana e sempre korenti
Ma mês djasta na metadi
Kombersu dja bira poku
Stadu tudu ketu
Oh Joana
Undi bu manda bu razam es fim di mês
Pa mi nem se ka bem
Xintidu podi kansam
Ma e ta pilam rixu di mas
Nha fidju femia korpu limpu
Spertu balenti sabidu
Ma kusa sail pa kololu
Ah nha grandesa fika te li
Txeia piku bem ku stromentu
Leba tudu pa rubera baxu
Palu dja manda fla me krel
Ma minim di guenti dja menxel
Oh Joana
Undi bu manda bu razam es fim di mês
Pa mi nem se ka bem
Xintidu podi kansam
Ma e ta pilam rixu di mas
My stomach aches
My hair stands on end
And I don’t think
It’s good news
Joana’s always been right on time
But now it’s halfway through the month
I don’t know what to say
Nothing’s happening
Oh, Joana,
what’s up with you this month?
There’s no sign
I can’t get it off my mind
I’m so worried about you
My daughter, your body was pure
You were clever and strong
What’s happened to you?
I’m worried sick
It’s like a flood
Sweeping everything away
Palu tells me he reckons
Some boy’s responsible
Oh, Joana,
what’s up with you this month?
There’s no sign
I can’t get it off my mind
I’m so worried about you
Txuputin
(I’ll Tell You About It)
Lyrics: Uziel Sança Gomes
Music: Uziel Sança Gomes - Ar, Hernani Almeida
© 2014 Africa Nostra
Dja tem txeu tempu
Ntem gana papia ku bô
So ki nka sabi mo ki nta txiga na bô
Manda kumpadi ba na bu kaza
Pa trau kunbersu pam pode papia ku bo
Manda kumpadi ba na bu kaza
Pa trau kunbersu pam pode txiga na bô
Passa na mi ntxumau ka respondeme
Ntrau ku pedra bu nega kudim
Mandau karta bu fla bu ka sé lê
(Eh eh eh)
Kuzé ki nta fasi
Ma Kuzé ki nta fasi, kuzé ki nta fasi,
Kuzé ki nta fasi,
Ma kuzé ki nta fasi, Kuzé ki nta fasi
A bô nem bu ka mariadu
Dexa da pa brabu
A bo nem bu ka mariadu
Dexa da pa brabu
Eh eh eh oh, Eh eh oh
Nem bu ka mariadu
Dexa da pa brabu
Si txuputin ncontau, si txuputin ncontau
Si txuputin ncontau, si txuputin ncontau
For a long time
I’ve wanted to talk to you
But I don’t know how
I sent a friend to your home
To make contact
I sent him to your home
To ask you to come and see me
I call but you don’t answer me
I send you a pebble
but you don’t get me
I write to you
but you send word that you can’t read
I don’t know what to do anymore
What to do anymore,
what to do anymore…
You’re not a bad person
So why be so rude?
You’re not spiteful
So why be so cruel?
Eh Eh Eh Oh, Eh eh oh
You’re not a bad person
So stop pretending to be heartless
Ah, if I could talk to you
Ah, if I could tell you about it
Nha Fidju Spera
(Wait, my child)
Lyrics: Elida Sofia Cabral Almeida
Music: Elida Sofia Cabral Almeida - Ar, Hernani Almeida
© 2014 Africa Nostra
Ami nlabanta n atxa nha mai ta flam
Nha fidju ko meti komi kasadu
Sima bu odjam li mi nada nka tem
Ma bu ka ta fladu fidju mansebadu
Nha fidju spera
Deus ta dabu di bo
Xinta bu ozerba
Mudjer ka ta trokadu pa mudjer
Mi nranja ku um koitadu
Moda mi
Nu kumi nu bebi nu bisti
Tudu kel ki parci
Mi nranja ku um koitadu
Sima mi
Nu kumi nu bebi nu bisti
Tudu kel ki parci
Ma nha nomi e limpu
Undi ki nbai
Nta anda ku rostu labantadu
Nha fidju tomam komu ixemplu
Ka bu pom na burgonha
Nha fidju spera
Deus ta dabu di bo
Xinta bu ozerba
Mudjer ka trokadu pa mudjer
Ka bu sai di kutelu
Nem ko dixi cidadi
Ka muda di rubera
Deus ta lebau di bo
Nha fidju spera
Deus ta dabu di bo
Xinta bu ozerba
Mudjer ka trokadu pa mudjer
From my youngest age
My mother told me to avoid married men
As you see, I have nothing
But I do have my dignity
Wait, my child
God will grant you what you deserve
Sit down and look
You can’t switch wives
I got together
With somebody like me
We were content
With what we had in life
I’ve never sullied my name
I’ve always been able to walk
With my head held high
My child, follow my example
Don’t make me ashamed
Stay in your village
Don’t go to town
Don’t move from your valley
God will help you
Nha Violão
(My Guitar)
Lyrics & music: Elida Sofia Cabral Almeida
© 2014 Africa Nostra
Beleza sem igual
Korpu natural
Pol na petu dia ku noti
Nha konfidenti
Do re mi ke madrinha
El e sisti nos paixão
Sol pa tistimunha
Mi ku bo ah nha violão
Cetam es aliansa
Ku saudi sem duensa
Tomam nha pobresa
Bu fazi bu rikeza
Do re mi ke madrinha
El e sisti nos paixão
Sol pa tistimunha
Mi ku bo ah nha violão
Incomparable beauty
With your natural body
You’re with me day and night
You’re my confidante
Do, re, mi are the godmothers
Watching over our passion
The sun is our witness
My guitar and me
Accept this union
Grant me health
Take my penury
And turn it into your wealth
Do, re, mi are the godmothers
Who watch over our passion
The sun is our witness
My guitar and me