I've seen burned lands
under the African suns
that gave fruits.
I've seen men speak
in ancient languages
but they understood each other.
Dabali koussa bata
Debol anyo dabita
Dabali koussa bata,
Daeba orbeka inam1
I've seen scorching skies
and the smoke of volcanoes
as the only cloud.
I've seen ebony skies
and, suddenly, in the night,
the eyes of Dabali2.
Dabali koussa bata
Debol anyo dabita
Dabali koussa bata,
Daeba orbeka inam
Dabali koussa bata
Debol anyo dabita
Dabali koussa bata,
Daeba orbeka inam
Before purity, look after me, look after me.
Inside the warmth of your hearts, look after me, look after me.
Dabali!
Dabali koussa bata
Debol anyo dabita
Dabali koussa bata,
Daeba orbeka inam
1. The chorus is sung in Afar, an Afroasiatic language spoken by the Afar people inhabiting Djibouti, Eritrea and Ethiopia.2. 'Dabali' is the name of an Afar girl Vianney met during his trip to Ethiopia and his stay with an Afar tribe.