Le Lion rouge

National anthem of Senegal
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"Le Lion rouge" (English: "The Red Lion"), more commonly known by its incipit "Pincez tous vos koras, frappez les balafons" (English: "Everyone strum your koras, strike the balafons") is the national anthem of Senegal. It was adopted in 1960.

Development

The lyrics were written by Léopold Sédar Senghor, Senegal's first president, while the music is composed by Frenchman Herbert Pepper,[1] who also composed the national anthem of the Central African Republic, "La Renaissance". The kora (a type of harp) and balafon (wooden xylophone) are traditional Senegalese musical instruments.

Lyrics

French Wolof English translation

Pincez tous vos koras, frappez les balafons !
Le lion rouge a rugi – le dompteur de la brousse.
D'un bond s'est élancé, dissipant les ténèbres.
Soleil sur nos terreurs, soleil sur notre espoir.
Debout, frères, voici l'Afrique rassemblée !

Fibres de mon cœur vert.
Épaule contre épaule, mes plus que frères,
O Sénégalais, debout !
Unissons la mer et les sources,
unissons la steppe et la forêt !
Salut Afrique mère !

Yëngël len koora yii, ndënd yeek balafoŋ yi!
Gayndék sibi ñaare na ki jafé ca àll ba
Jugléen mélni kuy naaw dólli xàjji lëndëm gi
Feeñal njaxare yi leeral suñu yaakaar
Taxawleen doomi nday, Afrika dajéna
Yéenay sama buumi xol na mbàgg yi tóllo
Ma doomi nday, yéen wa Senegaal jugleen
Ñu boole géej gi ak ndox mi bàll
Te boole ñaay bi ak àll bi
Sargal Afrik suňu yaay!

Everyone strum your koras, strike the balafons!
The red lion has roared – the tamer of the savanna.
With a leap it rushed forward, dispelling the darkness.
The sun shines on our terrors, the sun shines on our hope.
Stand up, brothers, for Africa has gathered here!

Fibers of my green heart.
Shoulder to shoulder, my more-than-brothers,
O Senegalese, arise!
Let us unite the sea and the springs,
let us unite the steppes and the forest!
Hail Mother Africa!

References

  1. ^ "Symbolique nationale". Gouvernement du Sénégal. Archived from the original on 2019-02-04. Retrieved 2021-11-30.

External links

  • Senegal: Pincez Tous vos Koras, Frappez les Balafons - Audio of the national anthem of Senegal, with information and lyrics
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