Jarabi (also spelled Diarabi) is a love song that first became popular with many kora players and guitarists in Mali, Gambia and Guinea in the early 1960’s.
Jarabi (“Beloved”) praises the all-conquering power of love and the song went on to become associated with the celebrations of community, nationhood and the African cultural renaissance that was flowering at the time that West African nations gained independence.
Individual singers have adapted the lyrics over the decades, Todd Martin’s Mandebala website provides translations of some different renditions and additional historical background for the song.
This version is by Maya Sona Jobarteh, who comes from a line of legendary griot kora players in Gambia and is the first female professional player of the kora, which had traditionally been an instrument only played by males.
Beloved
Forgive me, mothers, but money cannot buy love
It’s true, forgive me, fathers, no riches can buy love
It doesn’t touch you for no reason.
By God, one who owns everything
May still be lonely and worrying about life
While a poor person with nothing
Can find the happiness that love brings
I didn’t know that love felt so good
You left me wondering in sadness
I don’t want gold, I don’t want money
Just to know that I am the one that you love
Love, love is like an alcoholic drink and I am addicted to it
Love, love is a disease for which there is no cure
Love, love is like an alcoholic drink and I am addicted to it
Love, love is a disease for which there is no cure ever
Oh my love, take my hand
Don’t leave me, please stay with me
Can’t you see that I’m worried and suffering?
I’m hurting, hurting, I beg you, please
Talk to me, talk to me and reassure me
Don’t listen to what people say about me
Smile at me, smile at me and take my worries away
You know, I am just in love
You have lit up my life
Now, my heart is full of joy
The world should realise that love
Is more powerful than everything else
And once you taste it
It will change your life forever
Love, love is like an alcoholic drink and I am addicted to it
Love, love is a disease for which there is no cure
Love, love is like an alcoholic drink and I am addicted to it
Love, love is a disease for which there is no cure ever
I’m hurting, hurting because of love, I’m hurting, hurting because of love! (x11)
Here is the poem in the original Malinke.
Jarabi
Aw y’afama nalu, wari tè kanu sanna
Wuya tè aw y’afama n’falu, nafolo tè kanu sanna
A tè se mòosi ma guansan
Walay fen bèe bè dòfè,
Nk’o siini miirijan de la,
Ali fosi tè mòo min fè,
Jarabi di na o dusu sumaya
Ne tun ma lòn ko diyanye duman tan
I k’an to kini kini le la
N’tè sanu kò, n’tè wari dun kò
Ka lòn ten ko ne kelen dòrònle duman i ye.
Jarabi, jarabi ye dòlò le di dunya, ne tè se k’a to yen
Jarabi, jarabi ye bana le di dunya, fura tè bana min na
Jarabi, jarabi ye dòlò le di dunya, ne tè se k’a to yen
Jarabi, jarabi ye bana le di dunya, fura tè bana min na abada.
A n’diya, n’bolo mina sa
Kana taa, to n’dafè sa
I ma n’ye hami ni miiri la wa?
Woyiyo, woyiyo n’b’i dari
Kuma n’fè, kuma n’fè, ka miiri bò n’na
Kana n’mina mòo kan ma
Yèlè n’fè, yèlè n’fè, ka hami bò n’na
I ma lòn i diyanye bana le ye n’na.
I kèlen yeelen di ne ma
Sisan ne kòni sèwara
Fo k’a ye ko diyanye min ye
A fanka ka bon ni fèn bèe ye
N’i y’a nènè dòròn sinya kelen
A b’i la dinya latè yèlèma.
Jarabi, jarabi ye dòlò le di dunya, ne tè se k’a to yen
Jarabi, jarabi ye banna le di dunya, fura tè banna min na
Jarabi, jarabi ye dòlò le di dunya, ne tè se k’a to yen
Jarabi, jarabi ye banna le di dunya, fura tè banna min na abada.
Woyiyo woyiyo jarabi, woyiyo woyiyo jarabi (x11)
Performed by Sona Jobarteh,
from the album Fasiya,
West African Guild Records (2011).
Translation by Wilfred Willey.
