Psalm 6 into Kabiyè

Following is a translation of Psalm 6 into dance and song in Kabiyè by Groupe Ñalɩmɩyɛ. The video is followed by an English back-translation as well as the original Kabiyè text and a French back-translations. The leader (call) part is in standard type, the ensemble (response) is italicized.

Eternal God, your anger is kindled against me, I beg you do not condemn me.
Aawoo, Eternal God, your anger is kindled against me, I beg you do not condemn me.
Aawoo, Eternal God, have mercy on me, aowe, Eternal God have mercy on me.
Aawoo, Eternal God, have mercy on us, aawoo, Eternal God have mercy on us.
Aawoo, Eternal God, have mercy on us oooo, Eternal God have mercy on us. (2 times)
I’m moaning, I’m facing death, ooh my God, ohh my God, come and save me.
Aawoo, I’m moaning, I’m facing death, ooh my God, ohh my God, come and save me.
How long are you going to hold your grudge against me? Aawoo, ooh my God, come and deliver me.
Aawoo, how long are you going to hold your grudge against me? Aawoo, ooh my God, come and deliver me.
Ooh my God come save me, awoo, ooh come save me. (2 times)
Depart from me, my enemies, for God has responded.
Aawee, depart from me my enemies, aawé, for God has responded.
Truly, depart from me my enemies, aawoo, for God has responded.
Truly, oo, depart from me my enemies, aawoo, for God has responded.
Aawoo, my enemies are covered in shame, my God thank you.
Aawoo, my enemies are covered in shame, aawee, my God thank you.
Truly, my enemies are covered in shame, aawee, my God thank you.
Aawoo, my God aawoo, thank you yee, my God thank you.
Truly, my God thank you, aawee, my God thank you.
My God thank you, aawoo, my God thank you.
Aawee my God thank you, aawoo, my God thank you.
Aawoo, Infinite One thank you, my God thank you.
Aawoo, Eternal thank you truly, my God thank you.
Aawee, my God thank you, my God thank you.
Aawee, my God thank you aawoo, my God thank you.

Click or tap here to see the the text in French back-translation

Eternel Dieu, ta colère s’est enflammée contre moi, je te supplie ne me condamne pas.
Aawoo, Eternel Dieu, ta colère s’est enflammée contre moi, je te supplie ne me condamne pas.
Aawoo, Eternel Dieu, aie pitié de moi, aouwé, Eternel Dieu aie pitié de moi.
Aawoo, Eternel Dieu, aie pitié de moi, aawoo, Eternel Dieu aie pitié de moi.
Aawoo, Eternal God, have mercy on us, aawoo, Eternal God have mercy on us.
Aawoo, Eternel Dieu, aie pitié de nous oooo, Eternel Dieu aie pitié de nous. (2 times)
Je gémis, je suis devant la mort, ooh mon Dieu, ohh mon Dieu, viens me sauver.
Aawoo, je gémis, je suis devant la mort, ooh mon Dieu, ohh mon Dieu, viens me sauver.
Tu vas garder rancune contre moi jusqu’à quand ? Aawoo, ooh mon Dieu, viens me délivrer.
Awoo, tu vas garder rancune contre moi jusqu’à quand ? Aawoo, ooh mon Dieu, viens me délivrer.
Ooh mon Dieu viens me sauver, aawoo, ooh viens me sauver. (2 fois)
Eloignez-vous de moi mes ennemis, car Dieu m’a exaucé.
Aawé, eloignez-vous de moi mes ennemis, aawé, car Dieu m’a exaucé.
Véritablement, éloignez-vous de moi mes ennemis, aawoo, car Dieu m’a exaucé.
Véritablement, oo, éloignez-vous de moi mes ennemis, aawoo, car Dieu m’a exaucé.
Aawoo, mes ennemis sont couverts de honte, mon Dieu merci.
Aawoo, mes ennemis sont couverts de honte, aawee, mon Dieu merci.
Véritablement, mes ennemis sont couverts de honte, aawee, mon Dieu merci.
Aawoo, mon Dieu aawoo, merci yee, mon Dieu merci.
Véritablement, mon Dieu merci, aawee, mon Dieu merci.
Mon Dieu merci, aawoo, mon Dieu merci.
Aawee mon Dieu merci, aawoo, mon Dieu merci.
Aawoo, l’Infini merci, mon Dieu merci.
Aawoo, Eternel merci vraiment, mon Dieu merci.
Aawee, mon Dieu merci, mon Dieu merci.
Aawee, Mon Dieu merci aawoo, mon Dieu merci.

Click or tap here to see the the text in Kabiyè

Mɛwɛtam Ɛsɔ, ña-pana pane-m yeee, Mentenda-ŋ taakʋ mɔn-tɔm.
Aawoo, Mɛwɛtam Ɛsɔ, ña-pana kpana-m yeee, Mentenda-ŋ taakʋ mɔn-tɔm.
Aawoo, Mɛwɛtam Ɛsɔ ná man-pʋdɔɖɩyɛ, aawee, Mɛwɛtam Ɛsɔ ná man-pʋdɔdɩyɛ.
Aawoo, Mɛwɛtam Ɛsɔ ná man-pʋdɔɖɩyɛ, aawoo, Mɛwɛtam Ɛsɔ ná man-pʋdɔdɩyɛ.
Aawoo, Mɛwɛtam Ɛsɔ ná ɖa-pʋdɔdɩyɛ nee, Mɛwɛtam Ɛsɔ ná ɖa-pʋdɔdɩyɛ (2 fois)
Menseliɣ kpakpa, mɛwɛ sɩm nɔɔ nee, aawoo, hayɩ mɛ-Ɛsɔ yá ma-ñʋʋ.
Aawoo, Menseliɣ kpakpa, mɛwɛ sɩm nɔɔ nee, aawee, hayɩ mɛ-Ɛsɔ yá ma-ñʋʋ.
Ŋhakɩna-m nɛ pɩsɩna ɖooye? Aawoo, ooo mɛ-Ɛsɔ kɔɔ ŋlɩzɩ-m pɩ-taa.
Aawoo, Ŋhakɩna-m nɛ pɩsɩna ɖooye? Aawoo, ooo mɛ-Ɛsɔ kɔɔ ŋlɩzɩ-m pɩ-taa.
Ooo mɛ-Ɛsɔ kɔɔ ŋya ma-ñʋʋ neee, aawoo, ooo mɛ-Ɛsɔ yá ma-ñʋʋ. (2 fois)
Mon-koyindinaa, éposina-m yee, mbʋ pʋyɔɔ yɔ Ɛsɔ cosa-m.
Aawee, Mon-koyindinaa, éposina-m yee, aawee, mbʋ pʋyɔɔ yɔ Ɛsɔ cosa-m.
Toovenim taa, mon-koyindinaa, éposina-m yoo, aawoo, mbʋ pʋyɔɔ yɔ Ɛsɔ cosa-m.
Toovenim taa, mon-koyindinaa, oo, éposina-m yee, aawee, mbʋ pʋyɔɔ yɔ Ɛsɔ cosa-m.
Aawoo, fɛyɛ kpa ooo mon-koyindinaa nee, mɛ-Ɛsɔ ŋlabaɣlɛ.
Aawoo, fɛyɛ kpa oo mon-koyindinaa nee, aawee, mɛ-Ɛsɔ ŋlabaɣlɛ.
Toovenim taa, fɛyɛ kpa ee mon-koyindinaa nee aawee, mɛ-Ɛsɔ ŋlabaɣlɛ.
Aawoo, Mɛ-ɛsɔ aawoo, ŋlabaɣlɛ yee, mɛ-Ɛsɔ ŋlabaɣlɛ.
Toovenim taa mɛ-Ɛsɔ yee ŋlabaɣlɛ yee aawee, mɛ-Ɛsɔ ŋlabaɣlɛ
Aawoo Mɛ-ɛsɔ ee ŋlabaɣlɛ yee aawoo, mɛ-Ɛsɔ ŋlabaɣlɛ.
Aawee Mɛ-ɛsɔ oo ŋlabaɣlɛ yee aawee, mɛ-Ɛsɔ ŋlabaɣlɛ.
Aawoo, Pɩɩtɛŋ ŋlabaɣlɛ aawee, mɛ-Ɛsɔ ŋlabaɣlɛ.
Aawoo, Mɛwɛtam ŋlabaɣlɛ yoo toovenim, mɛ-Ɛsɔ ŋlabaɣlɛ.
Aawee, Mɛ-Ɛsɔ ŋlabaɣlɛ yee, mɛ-Ɛsɔ ŋlabaɣlɛ.
Aawee, Mɛ-Ɛsɔ ŋlabaɣlɛ yee aawoo, mɛ-Ɛsɔ ŋlabaɣlɛ.

Kabiye transcription and translation to French was completed by Mawèdong Amana, checking of Kabiye orthography and French translation was done by Kpatcha Hemou and Essokilina Tchamie, English translation by Sarah Jane Capper. Groupe Ñalɩmɩyɛ members: Ahoumondom Jacob Polonyoni, Louise Bide, Brouwa Adoko, Kodjo Boromna, Meneze Edjadefei, Maniya Pidaman.

The artists in these videos composed these songs by studying Psalms 6, 150 and 118 as well as Kabiye music and dance styles. They participated in a two-week workshop organized by SIL Togo-Benin in Kara, Togo in partnership with the master’s thesis research of Sarah Jane Capper for Dallas International University; the Association pour la Promotion des Saintes-Écritures en Kabiye (APSEK); and Scriptura.

Songs © APSEK 2024. CC BY-NC-ND

Psalm 118 into Kabiyè

Following is a translation of Psalm 118 into dance and song in Kabiyè by Groupe Leleŋ. The video is followed by an English back-translation as well as the original Kabiyè text and a French back-translations. The leader (call) part is in standard type, the ensemble (response) is italicized.

His mercy endures forever! (2 times)
My dear ones,
His mercy endures forever! (2 times)
I say that
His mercy endures forever! (4 times)
Where are the Jews? His mercy endures forever!
Praise the Eternal, His mercy endures forever!
Where are Aaron’s sons? His mercy endures forever!
Where are the Kabiye people? His mercy endures forever!
My dear ones
His mercy endures forever! (4 times)
The Eternal is with me, His mercy endures forever!
I am not afraid, His mercy endures forever!
The enemy can do nothing against me, His mercy endures forever!
The Eternal is my strength, His mercy endures forever!
My dear ones
His mercy endures forever! (4 times)
Enemies have surrounded me, His mercy endures forever!
In the name of the Eternal, His mercy endures forever!
I cut them to pieces, His mercy endures forever!
The Eternal is the victor, His mercy endures forever!
My dear ones
His mercy endures forever! (4 times)
Yuguyi, yuguyi, yuguyi, yuguyi, … [shouts of joy]
His mercy endures forever! (4 times)
The enemy cannot push me, His mercy endures forever!
Shouts of joy go up, His mercy endures forever!
From the houses of the righteous, His mercy endures forever!
The Eternal is the victor, His mercy endures forever!
My dear ones
His mercy endures forever! (4 times)
He saved me from death, His mercy endures forever!
Open the doors for me, His mercy endures forever!
That I may enter and praise him, His mercy endures forever!
Let us bow down before him, His mercy endures forever!
My dear ones
His mercy endures forever! (4 times)
Yuguyi, yuguyi, yuguyi, yuguyi, … [shouts of joy]
His mercy endures forever! (4 times)
Praise the Eternal, His mercy endures forever!
Praise be to the mighty God, His mercy endures forever!
Praise be to God, the victor, His mercy endures forever!
Let us rejoice, His mercy endures forever!
My dear ones
His mercy endures forever! (4 times)

Click or tap here to see the the text in French back-translation

Sa miséricorde dure à toujours! (2 fois)
Mes chers,
Sa miséricorde dure à toujours! (2 fois)
Je dis que
Sa miséricorde dure à toujours! (4 fois)
Où sont les juifs? Sa miséricorde dure à toujours!
Louez l’Eternel, Sa miséricorde dure à toujours!
Où sont les fils d’Aaron? Sa miséricorde dure à toujours!
Où est le peuple kabɩyɛ? Sa miséricorde dure à toujours!
Mes chers
Sa miséricorde dure à toujours! (4 fois)
L’Eternel est avec moi, Sa miséricorde dure à toujours!
Je n’ai pas peur, Sa miséricorde dure à toujours!
L’ennemi ne peut rien contre moi, Sa miséricorde dure à toujours!
L’Eternel est ma force, Sa miséricorde dure à toujours!
Mes chers
Sa miséricorde dure à toujours! (4 fois)
Les ennemis m’ont environné, Sa miséricorde dure à toujours!
Au nom de l’Eternel, Sa miséricorde dure à toujours!
Je les ai taillé en pièce, Sa miséricorde dure à toujours!
L’Eternel est le vainqueur, Sa miséricorde dure à toujours!
Mes chers
Sa miséricorde dure à toujours! (4 fois)
Yuguyi, yuguyi, yuguyi, yuguyi, … [cris d’allégresse]
Sa miséricorde dure à toujours! (4 fois)
L’ennemi ne peut pas me pousser, Sa miséricorde dure à toujours!
Les cris de joie montent, Sa miséricorde dure à toujours!
Des maisons des justes, Sa miséricorde dure à toujours!
L’Eternel est le vainqueur, Sa miséricorde dure à toujours!
Mes chers
Sa miséricorde dure à toujours! (4 fois)
Il m’a sauvé de la mort, Sa miséricorde dure à toujours!
Ouvrez-moi les portes, Sa miséricorde dure à toujours!
Afin que j’entre le louer, Sa miséricorde dure à toujours!
Prosternons-nous devant lui, Sa miséricorde dure à toujours!
Mes chers
Sa miséricorde dure à toujours! (4 fois)
Yuguyi, yuguyi, yuguyi, yuguyi, … [cris d’allégresse]
Sa miséricorde dure à toujours! (4 fois)
Louer l’Eternel, Sa miséricorde dure à toujours!
Que le Dieu puissant soit loué, Sa miséricorde dure à toujours!
Que Dieu, le vainqueur soit loué, Sa miséricorde dure à toujours!
Réjouissons-nous, Sa miséricorde dure à toujours!
Mes chers
Sa miséricorde dure à toujours! (4 fois)

Click or tap here to see the the text in Kabiyè

E-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ. (2 fois)
Taŋwaa mɩ,
E-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ. (2 fois)
Mɔntɔŋ se
e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ! (4 fois)
Yuuda nɩ́ma wɛ le? e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ!
Ɛ́sa Mɛwɛtam, e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ!
Aarɔɔnɩ sɛyɩnaa wɛ le? e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ!
Kabɩyɛ samaɣ wɛ le? e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ!
Taŋwaa mɩ
e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ! (4 fois)
Mɛwɛtam wɛ mɔ-yɔɔ, e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ!
Sɔndʋ ɛɛkpaɣ-m see, e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ!
Koyindu ɛɛpɩzɩ-m see, e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ!
Mɛwɛtam lɛ mon-ɖoŋ, e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ!
Taŋwaa mɩ
e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ! (4 fois)
Koyindinaa pama mɔ-yɔɔ, e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ!
Mɛwɛtam ɖoŋ taa lɛ, e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ!
Mɔyɔka pa-taŋa, e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ!
Mɛwɛtam lɛ waɖʋ, e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ!
Taŋwaa mɩ
e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ! (4 fois)
Yuguyi, yuguyi, yuguyi, yuguyi, …
e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ! (4 fois)
Koyindu eetuzuu-m see, e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ!
Laŋhʋlʋmɩyɛ kubusɩ kpaɣ, e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ!
Kʋtʋʋzaa ɖɛsɩ taa se, e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ!
Mɛwɛtam lɛ waɖʋ, e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ!
Taŋwaa mɩ
e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ! (4 fois)
Ɛlɩza-m sɩm nɔɔ taa lɛ, e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ!
Ɛ́tʋlɩ-m nɔnɔsɩ, e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ!
Mansʋʋ mansa Ɛsɔ se, e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ!
Ɖiluŋ ɛ-tɛɛ se, e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ!
Taŋwaa mɩ
e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ! (4 fois)
Yuguyi, yuguyi, yuguyi, yuguyi, …
e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ! (4 fois)
Pasa Mɛwɛtam, e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ!
Pasa ɖoŋ tʋ Ɛsɔ, e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ!
Pasa waɖʋ Ɛsɔ se, e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ!
Ɖɩmayɩ amaya, e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ!
Taŋwaa mɩ
e-ɖeulabʋ fɛyɩ tɩnaɣ! (4 fois)

Kabiye transcription and translation to French was completed by Mawèdong Amana, checking of Kabiye orthography and French translation was done by Kpatcha Hemou and Essokilina Tchamie, English translation by Sarah Jane Capper. Groupe Leleŋ members: Mawèdong Amana, Amen Kantchiliba, Joeline Awi, Essokélinam Komla Pakou, Matchapatcholo Soki.

The artists in these videos composed these songs by studying Psalms 6, 150 and 118 as well as Kabiye music and dance styles. They participated in a two-week workshop organized by SIL Togo-Benin in Kara, Togo in partnership with the master’s thesis research of Sarah Jane Capper for Dallas International University; the Association pour la Promotion des Saintes-Écritures en Kabiye (APSEK); and Scriptura.

Songs © APSEK 2024. CC BY-NC-ND

Psalm 150 into Kabiyè (Ɛsɔwazaa)

Following is a translation of Psalm 150 into dance and song in Kabiyè by Groupe Ɛsɔwazaa. The video is followed by an English back-translation as well as the original Kabiyè text and a French back-translations. The leader (call) part is in standard type, the ensemble (response) is italicized.

Uuuuyi, uuuyi, hiiiii [shouts of joy]
Praise the Eternal, eee.
In heaven in his house, eee.
Praise him in heaven, eee.
For his power, eee.
For his works, eee.
For his greatness, eee.
Which has no end, eee.
Eee which has no end, eee.
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (5 times)
Take the horn, eee.
Every stringed instrument, eee.
Drums and flutes, eee.
Bring them and let us praise him with them, eee.
With the cymbals, eee.
Big and small, eee.
On his throne, eee. (4 times)
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (5 times)
Are you alive? yes.
Come and let us praise God, eee. (3 times)
Everything that breathes, eee.
Eee Praises God, eee.
Eee Let us praise God, eee. (2 times)
Trees and birds, eee.
(They) praise God, eee.
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (5 times)
Praise the Eternal, eee. (2 times)
Eee Praise the Eternal, eee.
Praise the Eternal, eee.
He is so good, eee.
He is so big, eee.
He is so vast, eee.
Shout to praise him with shouts, eee.
Shout to praise him, eee.
Stoop down to praise him, eee. (4 times)
Rise up to praise him, eee. (2 fois)
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (5 times)
Dance to praise him, eee. (2 fois)
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (6 times)
Praise the Eternal, eee. (4 times)
He is so good, eee.
He is so just, eee.
He is so vast, eee.
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo.

Click or tap here to see the the text in French back-translation

Uuuuyi, uuuyi, hiiiii [cris d’allégresse]
Louez l’Eternel, eee.
Au ciel dans sa maison, eee.
Louez-le au ciel, eee.
Pour sa puissance, eee.
Pour ses oeuvres, eee.
Pour sa grandeur, eee.
Qui n’a pas de fin, eee.
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (5 fois)
Prenez la corne, eee.
Tout instrument à cordes, eee.
Tambours et flutes, eee.
Amenez et louons-le avec, eee.
Avec les cymbales, eee.
Grandes et petites, eee.
Sur son trône, eee. (4 fois)
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (6 fois)
Es-tu vivant ? oui.
Viens et louons Dieu, eee. (3 fois)
Tout ce qui respire, eee.
Eee Loue Dieu, eee.
Eee Louons Dieu, eee. (2 fois)
Arbres et oiseaux, eee.
Louent Dieu, eee.
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (4 fois)
Louez l’Eternel, eee. (2 fois)
Eee Louez l’Eternel, eee.
Louez l’Eternel, eee.
Il est tellement bon, eee.
Il est tellement grand, eee.
Il est tellement vaste, eee.
Acclamez pour louez-le avec, eee.
Acclamez pour le louer, eee.
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (4 fois)
Abaissez-vous pour le louer, eee. (4 fois)
Levez-vous pour le louer, eee. (2 fois)
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (4 fois)
Dansez pour le louer, eee. (4 fois)
Louez l’Eternel, eee. (4 fois)
Il est tellement bon, eee.
Il est tellement juste, eee.
Il est tellement vaste, eee.
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo.

Click or tap here to see the the text in Kabiyè

Uuuuyi, uuuyi, hiiiii
Ɛ́sa Mɛwɛtam, eee.
Ɛsɔdaa ɛ-ɖɩɣa taa, eee.
Ɛ́samɩ-ɩ ɛsɔdaa, eee.
E-ɖoŋ yɔɔ, eee.
Ɛ-tʋma yɔɔ, eee.
Ɛ-sɔsɔtʋ yɔɔ, eee.
Tɩfɛyɩ kamaɣ kaʋ, eee. (2 fois)
Eee tɩfɛyɩ kamaɣ kaʋ, eee.
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (5 fois)
Ɛ́kpaɣ nɔndɔŋ nee, eee.
Cɩmɩŋ tɩŋa payɩ, eee.
So nɛ hɩsɩ, eee.
Ɛ́kɔna nɛ ɛ́samɩ-ɩ, eee.
Nɛ cɩmɩŋ tɛlɛmnaa, eee.
Sɔsɔma nɛ Cikpema nee, eee.
E-kewiyaɣ kpelaɣ taa, eee. (4 fois)
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (6 fois)
Ŋwɛ wezuu yaa we? ɛɛɛ.
Kɔɔ nɛ ɖɩsa Ɛsɔ, eee. (3 fois)
Mbʋ payɩ pʋwɛ wezuu yɔ, eee.
Eee Pɩsa Ɛsɔ, eee.
Eee Ɖɩsa Ɛsɔ, eee. (2 fois)
Tɩŋ nɛ sumasɩ, eee.
Pɩsa Ɛsɔ, eee.
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (4 fois)
Ɛ́sa Mɛwɛtam, eee. (2 fois)
Eee Ɛ́sa Mɛwɛtam, eee.
Ɛ́sa Mɛwɛtam, eee.
Louez l’Eternel, eee.
Praise the Eternal, eee.
Ɛwɛ ɖeu pɩtɩɩfɛyɩ, eee.
Ɛkpaɣlaa pɩtɩɩfɛyɩ, eee.
Ɛwalaa pɩtɩɩfɛyɩ, eee.
Ɛ́kpalɩ nɛ ɛ́samna-ɩ, eee. (3 fois)
Ɛ́kpalɩ ɛ́samɩ-ɩ, eee. (2 fois)
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (4 fois)
Éluŋ nɛ ɛ́samɩ-ɩ, eee. (4 fois)
Ɛ́kʋyɩ nɛ ɛ́samɩ-ɩ, eee. (2 fois)
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (4 fois)
Ɛ́paa nɛ ɛ́samɩ-ɩ, eee. (4 fois)
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo. (6 fois)
Ɛ́sa Mɛwɛtam, eee. (4 fois)
Ɛwɛ ɖeu pɩtɩɩfɛyɩ, eee.
Ɛtʋʋzaa pɩtɩɩfɛyɩ, eee.
Ɛwalaa pɩtɩɩfɛyɩ, eee.
Eeeyiyaaa, eewooo.

Kabiye transcription and translation to French was completed by Mawèdong Amana, checking of Kabiye orthography and French translation was done by Kpatcha Hemou and Essokilina Tchamie, English translation by Sarah Jane Capper. Groupe Ɛsɔwazaa members: Pouwèdéou Noëline Mizou, Tchilalou Atakora, Poyodi Pounegue, Ezolina Françoise Tayele.

The artists in these videos composed these songs by studying Psalms 6, 150 and 118 as well as Kabiye music and dance styles. They participated in a two-week workshop organized by SIL Togo-Benin in Kara, Togo in partnership with the master’s thesis research of Sarah Jane Capper for Dallas International University; the Association pour la Promotion des Saintes-Écritures en Kabiye (APSEK); and Scriptura.

Songs © APSEK 2024. CC BY-NC-ND

See also Psalm 150 into Kabiyè (Ɛsɔwazaa).

Psalm 150 into Kabiyè (Mɛwɛ Tam Sɔɔlɩm)

Following is a translation of Psalm 150 into dance and song in Kabiyè by Groupe Mɛwɛ Tam Sɔɔlɩm. The video is followed by an English back-translation as well as the original Kabiyè text and a French back-translations. The leader (call) part is in standard type, the ensemble (response) is italicized.

Yuuuuiii, uuuii, uuuii [shouts of joy]
Let us praise God, the Eternal, God, Eternal.
Eee let us praise God, the Eternal yee, God, Eternal. (2 times)
Eee let us praise God, the Eternal yoo, God, Eternal.
Let us praise God, the Eternal, God, the Eternal!
Yee let us praise God, the Eternal yee, God, the Eternal!
Eee let us praise him in his house yee, God, Eternal. (2 times)
Eee where he shows his power, God, Eternal. (2 times)
In his royal house yeee, the Eternal, God, Eternal!
In his royal house, the Eternal yooo, God, Eternal!
In his royal house, the Eternal yeee, God, Eternal!
God, the Eternal yee, God, the Eternal.
Eee let us praise God, the Eternal yeee, God, Eternal.
His works are many, God, Eternal.
His works are numerous yeee, God, Eternal.
Hmmmm, My God is great, God, Eternal.
He is so big yee, God, Eternal. (2 times)
With what should we praise him? God, Eternal.
Let us say, “With what should we praise him yeee?” God, Eternal.
Hummm Eternal God yee, Eternal God.
Eternal God, Eternal God. (3 times)
Let us praise him with horns yeee, let us praise the Eternal. (3 times)
Ooo let us praise him with horns yeee, let us praise the Eternal.
Let us praise him with flutes yeee, let us praise the Eternal. (2 times)
Let us praise him with drums yeee, let us praise the Eternal. (2 times)
Aaa let us praise him with drums yeee, let’s praise the Eternal.
Let us praise him with drums and dances yeee, let us praise the Eternal. (2 times)
Let us praise him with flutes yeee, let us praise the Eternal.
Aaa let us praise him with flutes yeee, Let us praise the Eternal.
Let us praise God, he is eternal yee, let us praise the Eternal. (2 times)
Who must praise God? Everything that God has made and created and that lives must come and praise God.
Let everything that breathes, praise God.
Eee let everything that breathes, praise the Eternal. (2 times)
Let all humans praise him yee, let us praise the Eternal.
Let boys and girls praise him yee, let us praise the Eternal.
Let women and men praise him yee, let us praise the Eternal. (2 times)
Ooo let us praise the Eternal yee, Let us praise the Eternal.
Let the animals praise him, let us praise the Eternal.
Let the trees and the wind praise him, let us praise the Eternal.
Let the trees and the flowers praise him, let us praise the Eternal.
Hummm, praise the Eternal yee, praise the Eternal.
Let the trees and the flowers praise him yee, let us praise the Eternal.
May all humans praise him yee, let us praise the Eternal.
Let us praise the Eternal yee, let us praise the Eternal. (2 times)
Let the idolaters praise him yee, let us praise the Eternal. (2 times)
Let the Christians praise him yee, let us praise the Eternal. (2 times)
Dance with glory to praise him yee, let us praise the Eternal.
Dance with glory to praise him yee, let us praise the Eternal.
Dance with glory to praise him, let us praise the Eternal.
Hɩmmm praise the Eternal, let us praise the Eternal yeee, let us praise the Eternal. (2 times)
Everything that breathes, praise the Eternal, let us praise the Eternal. (2 times)
Praise the Eternal, praise the Eternal, praise the Eternal. (2 times)

Click or tap here to see the the text in French back-translation

Yuuuuiii, uuuii, uuuii [cris d’allégresse]
Louons Dieu, l’Eternel, Dieu, Eternel.
Eee louons Dieu, l’Eternel yee, Dieu, Eternal. (2 fois)
Eee louons Dieu, l’Eternel yoo, Dieu, Eternel.
Louons Dieu, l’Eternel, Dieu, Eternel!
Eee louons Dieu, l’Eternel yee, Dieu, Eternel!
Eee louons-le dans sa maison yee, Dieu, Eternal! (2 fois)
Eee là où il montre sa puissance, Dieu, Eternel. (2 fois)
Dans sa maison royale yeee, l’Eternel, Dieu, Eternel!
Dans sa maison royale, l’Eternel yooo, Dieu, Eternel!
Dans sa maison royale, l’Eternel yeee, Dieu, Eternel.
Dieu, l’Eternel yee, Dieu, Eternel.
Eee louons Dieu, l’Eternel yeee, Dieu, Eternel.
Ses œuvres sont nombreuses, Dieu, Eternel.
Ses œuvres sont nombreuses yeee, Dieu, Eternel.
Hmmmm, Mon Dieu est grand, Dieu, Eternel.
Il est tellement grand yee, Dieu, Eternel.(2 fois)
Avec quoi devons-nous le louer? Dieu, Eternel.
Disons avec quoi devons-nous le louer yeee? Dieu, Eternel.
Hummm Dieu Eternel yee, Dieu Eternel.
Dieu Eternel, Dieu Eternel. (3 fois)
Louons-le avec des cornes yeee, louons l’Eternel. (3 fois)
Ooo louons-le avec des cornes yeee, louons l’Eternel.
Louons-le avec des flutes yeee, louons l’Eternel. (2 fois)
Louons-le avec les tambours yeee, louons l’Eternel. (2 fois)
Aaa louons-le avec les tambours yeee, louons l’Eternel.
Louons-le avec des tambours et des danses yeee, louons l’Eternel. (2 fois)
Louons-le avec de flutes yeee, louons l’Eternel.
Aaa louons-le avec de flutes yeee, louons l’Eternel.
Louons Dieu, il est éternel yee, louons l’Eternel. (2 fois)
Qu’est-ce qui doit louer Dieu ? Tout ce que Dieu a fait et créé et qui vit doit venir et louer Dieu.
Que tout ce qui respire, loue Dieu.
Eee que tout ce qui respire, loue l’Eternel. (2 fois)
Que tous les humains le louent yee, louons l’Eternel.
Que les garçons et les filles le louent yee, louons l’Eternel.
Que les femmes et les hommes le louent yee, louons l’Eternel. (2 fois)
Ooo louons l’Eternel yee, louons l’Eternel.
Que les animaux le louent, louons l’Eternel.
Que les arbres et le vent le louent, louons l’Eternel.
Que les arbres et les fleurs le louent, louons l’Eternel.
Hummm, louent l’Eternel yee, louons l’Eternel.
Que les arbres et les fleurs le louent yee, louons l’Eternel.
Que tous les humains le louent yee, louons l’Eternel.
Louons l’Eternel yee, louons l’Eternel. (2 fois)
Que les idolâtres le louent yee, louons l’Eternel. (2 fois)
Que les chrétiens le louent yee, louons l’Eternel. (2 fois)
Dansez avec gloire pour le louer yee, louons l’Eternel. (2 fois)
Dansez avec gloire pour le louer yee, louons l’Eternel.
Dansez avec gloire pour le louer, louons l’Eternel.
Hɩmmm louez l’Eternel, louons l’Eternel yeee, louons l’Eternel. (2 fois)
Tout ce qui respire, loue l’Eternel, louons l’Eternel. (2 fois)
Louez l’Eternel, louez l’Eternel, louez l’Eternel. (2 fois)

Click or tap here to see the the text in Kabiyè

Yuuuuiii, uuuii, uuuii
Ɖɩsa Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam.
Eee ɖɩsa Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam yee, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)
Eee ɖɩsa Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam yoo, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam.
Ɖɩsa Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam!
Eee ɖɩsa Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam yee, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam!
Eee ɖɩsamɩ-ɩ ɛ-ɖɩɣa taa Mɛwɛtam yee, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam! (2 fois)
Eee ɖenɖe ɛwɩlɩɣ e-ɖoŋ yɔ, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)
E-kewiyaɣ ɖɩɣa taa, Mɛwɛtam yeee, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam!
E-kewiyaɣ ɖɩɣa taa, Mɛwɛtam yooo, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam!
E-kewiyaɣ ɖɩɣa taa, Mɛwɛtam yeee, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam.
Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam yee, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam.
Eee ɖɩsa Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam yeee, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam.
Ɛ-tʋma labʋ ɖɔwa, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam.
Ɛ-tʋma labʋ ɖɔwa yeee, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam.
Hɩmmm, Mɛ-Ɛsɔ, ɛpaɣlaa, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam.
Ɛpaɣlaa pɩtɩɩfɛyɩ yee, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)
Ɛbɛ pʋmʋnaa pasamna-ɩ kɛ? Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam.
Se ɛbɛ pʋmʋnaa pasamna-ɩ yeee? Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam.
Hɩmmm Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam yee, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam.
Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam. (3 fois)
Ɖɩkpaɣ nɔndɔŋ ɖɩsamɩ-ɩ yeee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam. (3 fois)
Ooo ɖɩkpaɣ nɔndɔŋ ɖɩsamɩ-ɩ yeee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam.
Ɖɩkpaɣ hɩsɩ ɖɩsamɩ-ɩ yeee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)
Ɖɩkpaɣ so nɛ ɖɩsamɩ-ɩ yeee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)
Aaa Ɖɩkpaɣ so nɛ ɖɩsamɩ-ɩ yeee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam.
So nɛ payɛ ɖɩsamɩ-ɩ yeee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)
Ɖɩkpaɣ hɩsɩ ɖɩsamɩ-ɩ yeee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam.
Aaa ɖɩkpaɣ hɩsɩ ɖɩsamɩ-ɩ yeee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam.
Ɖɩsa Ɛsɔ, ɛwɛ tam yee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)
Ɛbɛ pʋwɛɛ se pɩsa Ɛsɔ? Mbʋ Ɛsɔ laba, ɛlu nɛ pʋwɛɛ wezuu yɔ, pʋwɛɛ se pɩ-tɩŋa payɩ lɛ, pʋkɔɔ pɩsa Ɛsɔ.
Mbʋ payɩ pʋwɛ wezuu yɔ, pɩsa Ɛsɔ.
Eee mbʋ payɩ pʋwɛ wezuu yɔ, pɩsa Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)
Ɛyaa tɩŋa pasamɩ-ɩ yee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam.
Evebiya nɛ pɛlaa pasamɩ-ɩ yee, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam.
Halaa nɛ abalaa pasamɩ-ɩ yee, Ɛsɔ Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)
Ooo ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam yee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam.
Se tɛtɛ kpɩna ɛsamɩ-ɩ yee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam.
Se tɩŋ nɛ heelim pɩsamɩ-ɩ yee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam.
Se tɩŋ nɛ hɛtʋ pɩsamɩ-ɩ yee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam.
Hmmm pɩsa Mɛwɛtam yee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam.
Se tɩŋ nɛ hɛtʋ pɩsamɩ-ɩ yee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam.
Ɛyaa kpeekpe pasamɩ-ɩ yee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam.
Ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam yee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)
Se sɩɩnaa layaa, pasamɩ-ɩ yee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)
Nɛ Kɩrɩsɩtʋ piya pasamɩ-ɩ yee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)
Ɛ́paa nɛ ɛ́kʋndɩ nɛ ɛ́samɩ-ɩ yee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)
Ɛ́paa nɛ ɛ́canɩ nɛ ɛ́samɩ-ɩ yee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam.
Ɛ́paa nɛ éɖeɣyi nɛ ɛ́samɩ-ɩ, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam.
Hɩmmm Ɛ́sa Mɛwɛtam yeee, ɖɩsa Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)
Hɩmmm louez l’Eternel, louons l’Eternel yeee, louons l’Eternel. (2 fois)Hɩmmm praise the Eternal, let us praise the Eternal yeee, let us praise the Eternal. (2 times)
Se mbʋ payɩ pʋwɛ wezuu yɔɔ, pɩsa Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)
Ɛ́sa Mɛwɛtam yee, ɛ́sa Mɛwɛtam. (2 fois)

Kabiye transcription and translation to French was completed by Mawèdong Amana, checking of Kabiye orthography and French translation was done by Kpatcha Hemou and Essokilina Tchamie, English translation by Sarah Jane Capper. Groupe Mɛwɛ Tam Sɔɔlɩm members: Piwèlong Tamassi, Kézié Daniel Bataba, Toï Mèhèza Meba, Essokamhaou Pagana, Mamalinèwè Pekpissi.

The artists in these videos composed these songs by studying Psalms 6, 150 and 118 as well as Kabiye music and dance styles. They participated in a two-week workshop organized by SIL Togo-Benin in Kara, Togo in partnership with the master’s thesis research of Sarah Jane Capper for Dallas International University; the Association pour la Promotion des Saintes-Écritures en Kabiye (APSEK); and Scriptura.

Songs © APSEK 2024. CC BY-NC-ND

See also Psalm 150 into Kabiyè (Ɛsɔwazaa).