November, 10th, 2008
last updated July, 4th, 2009

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Swahili Original Videos:

Amina

performed by Peter Otiatoh (S. bin Robert)

1. Lyrics

   This is a poem in Swahili by the most famous Swahili-language poet, Shaaban bin Roberts (Shaaban Robert). The translation is original (by Christopher Sunami, 2007).
   
   Amina umejitenga, kufa umetangulia
   Kama ua umefunga, baada ya kuchanua
   Nakuombea mwanga, Peponi kukubaliwa
   Mapenzi tuliyofunga, hapana wa kufungua
   
   Amina, you have removed yourself, gone first into death
   Like a flower you have closed, after you had blossomed
   I will beg in a clear voice for Heaven to accept you
   The love we bound together, nothing can loosen
   
   Nilitaka unyanyuke, kwa kukuombea dua
   Sikupenda ushindike, maradhi kukuchukua
   Ila kwa rehema yake, Mungu amekuchagua
   Mapenzi tuliyofunga, hapana wa kufungua
   
   I ask for you this prayer that upwards you will rise
   I didn't want you to be defeated by the sickness that took you
   Yet in His mercy, God has chosen you
   The love we bound together, nothing can loosen
   
   Majonzi hayeneneki, kila nikukumbukia
   Nawaza kile na hiki, naona kama ruia
   Mauti siyasadiki, kuwa mwisho wa dunia
   Mapenzi tuliyofunga, hapana wa kufungua
   
   My grief is unspeakable, each time I remember you
   I am lost in my thoughts, I see like in a dream
   I don't believe that death is the end of the world
   The love we bound together, nothing can loosen
   
   Nasaidiki haziozi, roho hazitapotea
   Twafuata wokozi, kwa mauti kutujia
   Nawe, wangu mpenzi, Peponi utaingia
   Mapenzi tuliyofunga, hapana wa kufungua
   
   I don't believe they decay, souls cannot be lost
   We follow our salvation, since death will come for us
   And you my beloved, will surely enter Heaven
   The love we bound together, nothing can loosen
   
   Jambo moja nakumbuka, sahihi ninalijua
   Kuwa sasa umefikia, ta'bu isikosumbua
   Kwayo nimefurahika, nyuma nilikobakia
   Mapenzi tuliyofunga, hapana kufungua
   
   One thing I remember, correctly I know it
   Now that you have arrived, problems can no longer trouble you
   By means of this thought, I am able to be happy
   The love we bound together, nothing can loosen
   
   Ninamaliza kutunga, kwa kukuombea dua
   Vumbi tena likiunga, roho likirudishiwa
   Mauti yakijitenga, mapenzi yatarejea
   Mapenzi tuliyofunga, hapana wa kunfungua
   
   I complete my composition with the words of this prayer
   When the dust has settled, may your soul be received
   Death will remove itself, and love will be returned
   The love we bound together, nothing can loosen