Essence of Sweet Lullaby

Mrs. WonderDawg turned me on the CD "Deep Forest" after hearing it back in 1992 at The Nature Store. It's one of those muzak soundtracks that just fits the environmental/science/nature/discover the world storefront environment.

Today the CD "Essence Of the Forest - Deep Forest" arrived in the mail and once again, I'm enjoying this compilation by French artists Eric Mouquet and Michael Sanchez.



The song "Sweet Lullaby" is very memerizing with a language I've never heard before (vocals by Afunakwa (Northern Malaita, Solomon Islands) masterfully arranged over lush electronics and a tone down dance beat.

Thanks to the Internet, I'm able to locate the "Sweet Lullaby" video (up for Best Video at the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards):



and understand the lyrics:

(Solomon Dialect Based on English)
Sasi sasi o to aro aro
Young brother, young brother you be quiet

O angi si nau boroi amu
Although you are crying to me

Ni ma oe e fasi korona
Your father has left us

Dolali dasa na, lao dai afuimae
He has gone to the place of the dead

Afuta guau mauri, Afuta wela inomae
Protect the head of the living, Protect the orphan child

Sasi sasi ae o angisi nau
Young brother, young brother hey? although you are crying to me

Boroi nima oe e fasi koro na
Your father has left us

Dolali dasa na, lao dai afuimae
He has gone to the place of the dead

Afuta guau mauri, Afuta wela inomae
Protect the head of the living, protect the orphan child

Interpreting the Song:

This interpretation and lyrics come from one very old lady, living in Fataleka (one of the Solomon Islands), as translated by her grandchildren. The song is said to be very old and hence the new generation does not understand every word.

The song is about a young child crying because he does not see his father with the family. In response his elder sister sung this song to comfort as well as tell him the reality, with an appeal for their deceased father to protect this child in the land of the living (local ancient belief is that the dead care for loved ones they left behind).

The old woman also said that the sample, if listened to carefully, used some words and sounds that were added to make it sound more melo. Expression of some words twice, as well pronounciation of most of the words are different from that of normal conversation. Eg. 'O' should be OE', Angiangi should be angisi. This is very common with local traditional songs.

Source: Deep Forest Music

Check out the web site for history of Deep Forest as this band explores world music at its finest; and especially the Multimedia section for downloadable wallpaper.

Buy the CD and sample the music Essence of the Forest - Deep Forest at Amazon.

Good stuff.