Dabali [English translation]

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.