Saturday, May 16, 2015

Malaika - Swahili song made famous by Miriam Makeba.


Please click on each of the web-links below with your speakers on :-


MIRIAM MAKEBA - "Malaika" - Original 1974 single with Swahili and English Lyrics.

Malaika - Miriam Makeba

Angélique Kidjo - Malaika (2010 FIFA World Cup™ Kick-off Concert)



Miriam Makeba et Harry Belafonte (1966)

Malaika is a Swahili song. Malaika generally means "angel" in Swahili. As is the case with many Swahili words, it is ultimately derived from Arabic. An alternative Swahili meaning is a "baby" or "small child",[1] hence at least one particular traditional version of the song is commonly used as a lullaby throughout East Africa.[2] One of the better known versions is possibly the most famous love song in Kenyan pop music, as well as being one of the most widely known of all Swahili songs.
The lyrics of the song differ slightly from version to version; the title itself is subject to variation, such as "Ewe Malaika
The song is sung by a poor young man who wishes to marry his beloved ″Angel″ or ″Little bird″ but is defeated by the bride price.
The original text and the translation by Rupert Moser originally into German is:

Malaika, nakupenda Malaika
 Angel, I love you angel
Malaika, nakupenda Malaika
 Angel, I love you angel
Nami nifanyeje, kijana mwenzio
 and I, what should I do, your young friend
Nashindwa na mali sina, we,
 I am defeated by the bride price that I don't have
Ningekuoa Malaika
 I would marry you, angel
Nashindwa na mali sina, we,
 I am defeated by the bride price that I don't have
Ningekuoa Malaika
 I would marry you, angel

Kidege, hukuwaza kidege
 Little bird, I think of you little bird
Kidege, hukuwaza kidege
 Little bird, I think of you little bird
Nami nifanyeje, kijana mwenzio
 and I, what should I do, your young friend
Nashindwa na mali sina, we,
 I am defeated by the bride price that I don't have
Ningekuoa Malaika
 I would marry you, angel
Nashindwa na mali sina, we,
 I am defeated by the bride price that I don't have
Ningekuoa, Malaika
 I would marry you, angel

Pesa zasumbua roho yangu
 The money (which I do not have) depresses my soul
Pesa zasumbua roho yangu
 the money (which I do not have) depresses my soul
Nami nifanyeje, kijana mwenzio
 and I, what should I do, your young friend
Ningekuoa Malaika
 I would marry you, angel
Nashindwa na mali sina, we
 I am defeated by the bride price that I don't have
Ningekuoa Malaika
 I would marry you, angel

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