Happy Haitian Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the brave, beautiful Haitian mothers out there. Many lost children in the earthquake. Many lost their homes. Many struggle still to care for their families in their new situations. This song is for all of them.



I had some help with my translation of the lyrics from an alumna of our school, because there were several spots I couldn't figure out. She told me that she had help from her Moso Manman on some parts too! She also told me that Emeline Michel sang at her parents' wedding. Kreyol lyrics follow.


Moso Manman (Special/Rare Mama)
By Emeline Michel
Come dance my mama
Can dance my mama
I can give you diamonds my mama
I won't be able to pay you what I owe you
Come dance my mama
You have to smile my mama
I make you sing for my mama
I can't pay you what I owe
Days pass by, we are now grown
A lot of things we can say
When I look at where I've come from
its not only a miracle of nature
This book of love surpasses me
For the strength that you spent
The house has a central pillar
when you have a rare/special mama

Come dance my mama
Can dance my mama
I can give you diamonds my mama
I won't be able to pay you what I owe you
Come dance my mama
Can dance my mama
I can give you diamonds my mama
I can't pay you what I owe you
I look at your wrinkled brow
All your hair has turned white
O Father please give me more
Days so that I can give you love
Strut your stuff (walk around proudly and make a big deal)
You're never grown for your mama
This contract is a written in blood
that lasts till time no longer exists woooooooooo
Come dance my mama
Can dance my mama
I can give you diamonds my mama
I can't pay you what I owe you
Come dance my mama
Can dance my mama
I can give you diamonds my mama
I can't pay you what I owe you
Your door is wide open
No matter what I may do in life
Those who were here have left mama
But you are still here
Dear little mama
You are a stroke of pencil without error (You are a perfect stroke of pencil)
Ask questions, look for answers...mama is always right
Can dance mama
You are a diamond my mama
I can't pay you what I owe you
Come dance my mama
Can dance my mama
Can give you diamonds my mama
I can't pay you what I owe you
mmmmmmmmm (dance my mama)
Dance, dance, dance my mama (dance my mama)
Thank you mama, thank you mama ( dance my mama)
Thank you thank you so much ( dance my mama)
(Dance my mama)
Your door is wide open
No matter what I may do in life
Those who were here have left, mama
But you are ever here
Dear little mama
You are a stroke of pencil without error (You are a perfect stroke of pencil)
Ask questions, look for answers...mama is always right
Chorus
Come dance my mama
Can dance my mama
I can give you diamonds my mama
I won't be able to pay you what I owe you
Come dance my mama
Can dance my mama
I can give you diamonds my mama
I can't pay you what I owe you
Smile my mama
(Dance my mama)

I can't I can't pay you
I won't pay you mama
I won't pay you
Your door is wide open
No matter what I may do in life
Those who were here have left, mama
But you are ever here
Dear little mama
You are a stroke of pencil without error (You are a perfect stroke of pencil)
Ask questions, look for answers...mama is always right
(Dance my mama)


Kreyol lyrics:

Vinn danse manman mwen
ka danse manman mwen
m'ka ba'w diaman manman mwen
m'pap ka peye'w sa mwen dwe'w
vinn danse manman mwen
fo'w souri manman mwen
m'fe'w chante pou manman mwen
pa ka peye'w sa mwen dwe'w

jou file nou finn grandi
ampil bagay nou va di
le'm gade kote'm soti
se pa selman mirak la nati
liv lanmou sa depasse'm
pou fos a fiel ki depanse
kay lan gin yon potomitan
lè'w possede moso manman wooooooooooooo

vinn danse manman mwen
ka danse manman mwen
m'ka ba'w diaman manman mwen
m'pa ka peye'w sa mwen dwe'w
vinn danse manman mwen
ka danse manman mwen
ka ba'w diaman manman mwen
m'pa ka peye'w sa mwen dwe'w

m'ap gade
fe'w ti vise
tout cheve blan gintan pouse
ou papa souple rajoute'm
de jou pou'm ba ou lanmou
pou mizèl fè gran panpan
ou pa janm granmoun pou manman'w
kontra sa ekri aksan
jouk tan pa rete ankinn tan wooooooooo

chorus
vinn danse manman mwen
ka danse manman mwen
m'ka ba'w diaman manman mwen
m'pa ka peye'w sa mwen dwe'w
vinn danse manman mwen
ka danse manman mwen
ka ba'w diaman manman mwen
m'pa ka peye'w sa mwen dwe'w

pot tou gran l'ouvri
kelkeswa sa'm ta fè nan la vi
sa ki te la ta va di'm manmi
ou menm ou la pi di
ti manman cheri
ou se yon kout kreyon san rati
mande kesion chèche repons manman wa'p gin rezon

ka danse manman
ou se diaman manman mwen
m'pap ka peye'w sa mwen dwe'w
vinn danse manman mwen
ka danse manman mwen
ka ba'w diaman manman mwen
m'pa ka peye'w sa mwen dwe'w

mmmmmmmm (danse manman mwen)
danse danse danse manman'm (danse manman mwen)
mèsi manman mèsi manman'm (danse manman mwen)
mèsi mèsi ampil (danse manman mwen)

pot la gran l'ouvri
kelkeswa sa'm ta fè nan la vi
sa ki te la ta va di'm manmi
ou menm ou la pi di
wi manman cheri
ou se yon kout kreyon san rati
mande kesion chèche repons manman'm toujou gin rezon

danseeeee danse manman'm
danse manman'm
danse manman'm
danse manman'm mmmmmmmm

chorus repeat

(danse manman mwen)
souri manman'm
(danse manman mwen)
m'pa ka mwen paka peye'w
m'pap ka peye'w manman
mwen p'ap peye'w

pot tou gran l'ouvri
kelkeswa sa'm ta fè nan la vi
sa ki te la ta va di'm manmi
ou menm ou la pi di
wi manmi cheri
ou se yon kout kreyon san rati
mande kesion cheche repons manman wa'p gin rezon