sidi yella
Suso, Salieu. 1993. Griot. Lyrichord, LYRCD 7418.
(Siddy Yellah)
"Siddy" is a title reserved for a great man, a man dedicated to the community. He sees to its physical well being by providing work and encouraging people to work hard, and he is a great healer. He also sees to the community's spiritual well being by teaching about the Koran. "Siddy Yellah" means "Siddy has Died".
(Sidi Yellah)
A modern elegy to Sidi Aidara, a highly regarded religious and community leader in Gambia, during the 1920s.
| Sara gallau, sara gallau, bai nal kef wonunu, sara gall au. | Indeed he was, indeed he was a scholar of the Qur'an. |
| Sidi yellah, Sidi yellah, kara Burama fama alene Sidi kumbo. | Sidi has died, Sidi has died, the father of the Marabout Ibraihim has died. |
| Sidi yellah, Sidi yellah, Sidi yellah, Sahel linko. | Sidi bas died, Sidi has died, Sidi from the Sahel has died. |
| Sara galla, Sara gallah, Sara gallau, wo, Sara gallah bai nal kefwonunu, sara gallah. | Indeed he was, indeed he was a scholar of the Qur'an. |
| Aidara banin Quraes nin banin Has Minka alina sidifo kumba Aidara. | He was kin to Muhammed from Quarase and from Has Minka, in the region of Mecca, let's mourn for Aidara |
| Sidifobe larim, Sidifobe, larim, Aidara ah, Sidi yellah. | Sidi lay down, Sidi lay down, Sidi has died. |
| Sidifo yellah lumena dibo dunta sanji manke. | The day Sidi died, a dark cloud covered the Earth |
| Satano lu luba kumbo la Sidi yellah, Ji nolu ba kumbo la Sidi yellah. | Even Satan and the jinn are mourning too; Sidi has died. |
| Jinolu bakumba la Subhana Allahi-wa... | All the jinn give praise to Allah... |