Texts & translations
BRAVO, MONSIEUR LE MONDE
Bravo, Monsieur le monde
Bravo, Mr. World
Chapeau, Monsieur le monde
Hats off to you, Mr. World
Même quand les gens diront
Even when the people say
Que vous ne tournez pas toujours très rond
That you don’t turn, you’re always so round
Bravo, pour vos montagnes
Bravo, for your mountains
C’est beau, c’est formidable
They’re beautiful and wonderful
Compliment pour vos saisons
My compliments for your seasons
Qui nous donnent des idées de chanson
Who gave so many ideas for our songs
Bravo, la mer,
Bravo, the sea
On n’a jamais trouvé un vert plus bleu, un bleu plus vert
We have never found a green so blue, a blue so green
Aucune symphonie n’est riche d’autant d’harmonies
No symphony so rich with so many harmonies
Qu’un merveilleux tonnerre qui fait l’amour avec la pluie
Like the marvelous thunder who makes love with the rain
Bravo le vent
Bravo, the wind
Qui fait danser les blés, qui fait trembler les oceans
Who makes the wheat dance, who shakes the oceans
Bravo pour le soleil et la colère du volcan
Bravo for the sun and the anger of mountains
Bravo pour l’arc-en-ciel qui met de la joie dans le coeur d’un enfant
Bravo for the rainbows who put joy in the hearts of a child
Bravo, Monsieur le monde
Bravo, Mr. World
Chapeau, monsieur le monde
Hats to you, Mr. world
Nous vous demandons pardon
We beg your pardon
Pour tous ceux qui vous abîmeront
For all those who hurt you
Bravo, Monsieur le monde
Bravo, Mr. World
Bravo, pour la colombe
Bravo, for the doves
Si vous lui laissez la vie
If you let them live their life
Nous vous dirons simplement merci
We will simply tell you thank you
Bravo, Mr. World
Chapeau, Monsieur le monde
Hats off to you, Mr. World
Même quand les gens diront
Even when the people say
Que vous ne tournez pas toujours très rond
That you don’t turn, you’re always so round
Bravo, pour vos montagnes
Bravo, for your mountains
C’est beau, c’est formidable
They’re beautiful and wonderful
Compliment pour vos saisons
My compliments for your seasons
Qui nous donnent des idées de chanson
Who gave so many ideas for our songs
Bravo, la mer,
Bravo, the sea
On n’a jamais trouvé un vert plus bleu, un bleu plus vert
We have never found a green so blue, a blue so green
Aucune symphonie n’est riche d’autant d’harmonies
No symphony so rich with so many harmonies
Qu’un merveilleux tonnerre qui fait l’amour avec la pluie
Like the marvelous thunder who makes love with the rain
Bravo le vent
Bravo, the wind
Qui fait danser les blés, qui fait trembler les oceans
Who makes the wheat dance, who shakes the oceans
Bravo pour le soleil et la colère du volcan
Bravo for the sun and the anger of mountains
Bravo pour l’arc-en-ciel qui met de la joie dans le coeur d’un enfant
Bravo for the rainbows who put joy in the hearts of a child
Bravo, Monsieur le monde
Bravo, Mr. World
Chapeau, monsieur le monde
Hats to you, Mr. world
Nous vous demandons pardon
We beg your pardon
Pour tous ceux qui vous abîmeront
For all those who hurt you
Bravo, Monsieur le monde
Bravo, Mr. World
Bravo, pour la colombe
Bravo, for the doves
Si vous lui laissez la vie
If you let them live their life
Nous vous dirons simplement merci
We will simply tell you thank you
Text by P. Delanoë, M. Fugain
SISI NI MOJA
We all laugh, we all cry, we all feel hunger, we all feel pain
We all love (heja heja), we all hate (o heja, heja, heja)
We all hope (oh heja, heya), and we all dream (heja heja)
We are one world, one people
And we all breathe the same
A tribe of many languages
A group of many heartaches
Fighting for peace among the land
Heja, heja, sisi ni moja (we are one), heja, heja
Heja, heja, sisi ni moja (we are one)
Heja, heja, heja, we are one
We all want, we all need, we all seek passion, we all seek joy
We all bruise, we all scar, we all fail, but learn to thrive
We are one world, one people
And we all breathe the same
In the darkness of the night
And in the glory of the morning
We walk along the path and find our way
Heja, heja, sisi ni moja (we are one), heja, heja
Heja, heja, sisi ni moja (we are one)
Heja, heja, heja, we are one
Now we stand here together and lift our hearts in song
To the rhythm of this moment in our lives
Heja, heja, sisi ni moja (we are one),
Heja, heja, sisi ni moja (we are one)
Heja, heja, sisi ni moja (we are one)
Heja, heja, sisi ni moja (we are one), heja, heja
Heja, heja, sisi ni moja (we are one), heja, heja, heja
We are one
We all love (heja heja), we all hate (o heja, heja, heja)
We all hope (oh heja, heya), and we all dream (heja heja)
We are one world, one people
And we all breathe the same
A tribe of many languages
A group of many heartaches
Fighting for peace among the land
Heja, heja, sisi ni moja (we are one), heja, heja
Heja, heja, sisi ni moja (we are one)
Heja, heja, heja, we are one
We all want, we all need, we all seek passion, we all seek joy
We all bruise, we all scar, we all fail, but learn to thrive
We are one world, one people
And we all breathe the same
In the darkness of the night
And in the glory of the morning
We walk along the path and find our way
Heja, heja, sisi ni moja (we are one), heja, heja
Heja, heja, sisi ni moja (we are one)
Heja, heja, heja, we are one
Now we stand here together and lift our hearts in song
To the rhythm of this moment in our lives
Heja, heja, sisi ni moja (we are one),
Heja, heja, sisi ni moja (we are one)
Heja, heja, sisi ni moja (we are one)
Heja, heja, sisi ni moja (we are one), heja, heja
Heja, heja, sisi ni moja (we are one), heja, heja, heja
We are one
Text by Jacob Naverud
SAIL AWAY
Dark clouds hide the sun
Rain comes down and the rivers run
Rivers run down to the sea
And when you’ve got your liberty
Don’t you want to sail away
Don’t you want to sail away? Don’t you want to sail away?
Don’t you want to sail away? Don’t you want to sail away?
Don’t you want to sail away? Don’t you want to sail away?
Don’t you want to sail away? Don’t you want to sail away?
Sail away ladies, sail away, sail away ladies, sail away
Sail away ladies, sail away, sail away ladies, sail away
Sail on, it’s time to go, sail on
You build a boat, don’t let it float away from you
Sail on, there’s a place to go, sail on
How do you know the wind will blow behind you?
Sail away ladies, sail away, sail away ladies, sail away
Sail away ladies, sail away, sail away ladies, sail away
Hoo dee oh ay dee, hoo dee oh, hoo dee oh ay dee, hoo dee oh
Hoo dee oh ay dee, hoo dee oh, hoo dee oh ay dee, hoo dee oh
Don’t you want to sail away? Don’t you want to sail away?
Don’t you want to sail away? Don’t you want to sail away?
Don’t you want to sail away? Don’t you want to sail away?
Don’t you want to sail away? Don’t you want to sail away?
Sail away ladies, sail away, sail away ladies, sail away
It is time to go, you build a boat, don’t let it float away from you
Sail away ladies, sail away, sail away ladies, sail away
There’s a place to go, how do you know the wind will blow behind you?
Sail away, sail away
Sail away, sail away
Sail away ladies, sail away, sail away ladies, sail away
Sail away ladies, sail away, sail away ladies, sail away
Sail away, sail away
Sail away
Rain comes down and the rivers run
Rivers run down to the sea
And when you’ve got your liberty
Don’t you want to sail away
Don’t you want to sail away? Don’t you want to sail away?
Don’t you want to sail away? Don’t you want to sail away?
Don’t you want to sail away? Don’t you want to sail away?
Don’t you want to sail away? Don’t you want to sail away?
Sail away ladies, sail away, sail away ladies, sail away
Sail away ladies, sail away, sail away ladies, sail away
Sail on, it’s time to go, sail on
You build a boat, don’t let it float away from you
Sail on, there’s a place to go, sail on
How do you know the wind will blow behind you?
Sail away ladies, sail away, sail away ladies, sail away
Sail away ladies, sail away, sail away ladies, sail away
Hoo dee oh ay dee, hoo dee oh, hoo dee oh ay dee, hoo dee oh
Hoo dee oh ay dee, hoo dee oh, hoo dee oh ay dee, hoo dee oh
Don’t you want to sail away? Don’t you want to sail away?
Don’t you want to sail away? Don’t you want to sail away?
Don’t you want to sail away? Don’t you want to sail away?
Don’t you want to sail away? Don’t you want to sail away?
Sail away ladies, sail away, sail away ladies, sail away
It is time to go, you build a boat, don’t let it float away from you
Sail away ladies, sail away, sail away ladies, sail away
There’s a place to go, how do you know the wind will blow behind you?
Sail away, sail away
Sail away, sail away
Sail away ladies, sail away, sail away ladies, sail away
Sail away ladies, sail away, sail away ladies, sail away
Sail away, sail away
Sail away
Text by Malcolm Dalgish
CAN YOU HEAR ME?
I look around me as I grow, I’d like to tell you all I know
I see life with all its energy, the city streets, the rush of time
This is my world, it’s where I like to be, so much to see, so much to find
I sometimes sit and wait a while, I see the sun, it makes me smile
Can you see it? Can you see it too?
Can you see it? Can you see it too?
I feel life with all its energy, the joy of waking ev’ry day
This is my world, it’s where I like to be, so much to do, so much to say
I sometimes sit and feel the sun, its warmth is there for ev’ryone
Can you feel it? Can you feel it too?
Can you feel it? Can you feel it too?
My world’s a silent one, but it’s enough for me
I hear you through your hands, the movement sets me free
But it could be a special thing to hear your voice, to hear you sing
Can you hear me? Can you hear me too?
Can you hear me? Can you hear me too?
I look around me as I grow, I’d like to tell you all I know
Can you hear me?
I see life with all its energy, the city streets, the rush of time
This is my world, it’s where I like to be, so much to see, so much to find
I sometimes sit and wait a while, I see the sun, it makes me smile
Can you see it? Can you see it too?
Can you see it? Can you see it too?
I feel life with all its energy, the joy of waking ev’ry day
This is my world, it’s where I like to be, so much to do, so much to say
I sometimes sit and feel the sun, its warmth is there for ev’ryone
Can you feel it? Can you feel it too?
Can you feel it? Can you feel it too?
My world’s a silent one, but it’s enough for me
I hear you through your hands, the movement sets me free
But it could be a special thing to hear your voice, to hear you sing
Can you hear me? Can you hear me too?
Can you hear me? Can you hear me too?
I look around me as I grow, I’d like to tell you all I know
Can you hear me?
Text by Bob Chilcott
BRING ME LITTLE WATER, SILVY
Bring me little water, Silvy
Bring me little water now
Bring me little water, Silvy
Ev’ry little once in a while
Bring it in a bucket, Silvy
Bring it in a bucket now
Bring it in a bucket, Silvy
Ev’ry little once in a while
Silvy come a runnin’, bucket in my hand
I will bring a little water fast as I can
Bring me little water, Silvy
Bring me little water now
Bring me little water, Silvy
Ev’ry little once in a while
Can’t you see me comin’, can’t you see me now
I will bring a little water ev’ry little once in a while
Ev’ry little once in a while
Ev’ry little once in a while
Ev’ry little once in a while
Bring me little water now
Bring me little water, Silvy
Ev’ry little once in a while
Bring it in a bucket, Silvy
Bring it in a bucket now
Bring it in a bucket, Silvy
Ev’ry little once in a while
Silvy come a runnin’, bucket in my hand
I will bring a little water fast as I can
Bring me little water, Silvy
Bring me little water now
Bring me little water, Silvy
Ev’ry little once in a while
Can’t you see me comin’, can’t you see me now
I will bring a little water ev’ry little once in a while
Ev’ry little once in a while
Ev’ry little once in a while
Ev’ry little once in a while
Text by Huddie W. Ledbetter
TURLUTTE ACADIENNE MONTRÉALAISE
Nonsense syllables by Marie-Claire Saindon
SESERE EEYE
Sesere eeye, sesere eeye, nar in ar in a roparte
Sesere eeye, sesere eeye, nar in ar in a roparte
Roparte maro si amma te sesere eeye
Roparte maro si amma te sesere eeye
Sesere eeye, sesere eeye, nar in ar in a roparte
Sesere eeye, sesere eeye, nar in ar in a roparte
Roparte maro si amma te sesere eeye
Roparte maro si amma te sesere eeye
Sesere eeye, sesere eeye, nar in ar in a roparte
Roparte maro si amma te sesere eeye
Roparte maro si amma te sesere eeye
Sesere eeye, sesere eeye, nar in ar in a roparte
Sesere eeye, sesere eeye, nar in ar in a roparte
Roparte maro si amma te sesere eeye
Roparte maro si amma te sesere eeye
Text by Torres Straight Islanders
WILL THERE REALLY BE A “MORNING”?
Will there really be a “Morning”?
Is there such a thing as “Day”?
Could I see it from the mountains
If I were as tall as they?
Morning, Morning,
Where does Morning lie?
Has it feet like Water lilies?
Has it feathers like a Bird?
Is it brought from famous countries
Of which I have never heard?
Morning, Morning,
Where does Morning lie?
Oh some Scholar, oh some Sailor,
Oh some Wise men from the sky,
Please to tell a little Pilgrim
Where the place called “Morning” lies?
Morning, Morning,
Where does Morning lie?
Morning, Morning,
Where does Morning lie?
Is there such a thing as “Day”?
Could I see it from the mountains
If I were as tall as they?
Morning, Morning,
Where does Morning lie?
Has it feet like Water lilies?
Has it feathers like a Bird?
Is it brought from famous countries
Of which I have never heard?
Morning, Morning,
Where does Morning lie?
Oh some Scholar, oh some Sailor,
Oh some Wise men from the sky,
Please to tell a little Pilgrim
Where the place called “Morning” lies?
Morning, Morning,
Where does Morning lie?
Morning, Morning,
Where does Morning lie?
Text by Emily Dickinson
ECCE QUAM BONUM
Ecce quam bonum et quam jucundum,
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren
habitare fratres in unum!
to dwell together in unity!
Quam dilecta tabernacula tua
How lovely are your dwelling places,
Domine virtutum concupiscit
Lord of hosts!
Et deficit anima mea, in atria Domini
My soul desires and pants for the courts of the Lord
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren
habitare fratres in unum!
to dwell together in unity!
Quam dilecta tabernacula tua
How lovely are your dwelling places,
Domine virtutum concupiscit
Lord of hosts!
Et deficit anima mea, in atria Domini
My soul desires and pants for the courts of the Lord
Text from Psalm 133 and Psalm 83
VICHTEN
Vichten a ven a ven, vichten a ven a va,
Vichten a ven a ven a ven a ven a va va.
Taria ka ta ka shoon, ta ka shoon, ta ka shoon,
Taria ka ta ka shoon, vichten a ven a va.
Ala couchi oom shoo shla lizabeta,
Ala couchi oom shoo shla ha!
Bi bi bid’n taria bodnah bi bodne,
Stalawala w’d dalia bi bodne,
Bi bi bid’n oo!
Vichten a ven a ven a ven a ven a va va.
Taria ka ta ka shoon, ta ka shoon, ta ka shoon,
Taria ka ta ka shoon, vichten a ven a va.
Ala couchi oom shoo shla lizabeta,
Ala couchi oom shoo shla ha!
Bi bi bid’n taria bodnah bi bodne,
Stalawala w’d dalia bi bodne,
Bi bi bid’n oo!
Nonsense syllables by Arthur Arsenault