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Elida Almeida

LYRICS

Di Mi Ku Di Bo

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

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

LebamKuBo

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

NtaKonsigui

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 Ni Nkontadu

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

Nhu Santiagu

Di Mi Ku BO 

(You and Me) 

Di Mi Ku BO

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

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) 

Djam Nkrel Pa Mi

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) 

Txiku Branku

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) 

Tomam El

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

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

Txuputin

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 Fidju Spera

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

Nha Violão
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