translation of lyrics

1. congo e`/ congo is

       music & lyrics: Juan-Carlos Formell          

"Congo is the Black man, Carabali

Congo is Mandingo, Lucumi king

Congo is the angel, sent by God

Congo are holy," Orula spoke --

Oyeye O! Oyeye O! Oyeye O!

drum, drum

"Congo is the arm that cuts the cane

Congo is the guiro, rum and the palm;

Congo is the Indian that came before --

Congo are amulets," Orula spoke --

"Congo is Elegua, and also Chango

Congo is the grandson of Maria and Ramon;

Congo is the oakwood, rumba and danzon --

Congo is the new man", Orula spoke --

"Congo is tobacco, black is his love,

Congo is the awakening of the runaway slave;

Congo is the wildwood, the moon and sun --

Congo are free," Orula spoke.

2. control, control

   music & lyrics: Juan-Carlos Formell

and who controls you,

the Black or the White,

your lover or wife,

your dog or your cat?

who controls you:

love or desire,

the church or your taxes --

your father or grandfather?

control, control,

control, control

leave me alone

in my misery

control control,

control control,

if I die

I won't suffer anymore

who controls you:

laugher or tears,

the police --

your house or your car?

who controls you:

celibacy,

gluttony or sex --

the pimp in the street?

who controls you:

the moon or a prayer,

yoga or the pope --

your mind or your body?

who controls you:

drugs or liquor,

the saint or the sorcerer --

your mother or your child?

don't be afraid to suffer:

free yourself

face your pain

I'm bringing a new life

for your heart

let go, throw out all the evil

free yourself!

3. insurreccion / uprising

       music: Juan-Carlos Formell

4. Papa Karo

    music & lyrics: Juan-Carlos Formell

Papa Karo, god in my mind

Papa Karo, caressing this moment.

Papa Karo, I am your child,

Papa Karo, blessed father.

Kororo Papa, Papa Karo

Kororo Papa, Papa Karo

your love made a river

of fire and flowers in my heart.

Kororo Papa, Papa Karo

Kororo Papa, Papa Karo

I ask you your name

and an Angel answers:

"Papa Karo".

Papa Karo, song in my mind,

Papa Karo, my soul yearns for you.

Papa Karo, my peaceful path,

Papa Karo, I live for you.

5. elegía/elegy

music: Juan-Carlos Formell

text: Nicolas Guillen

beat it down with the drum

beat it down --

by way of the sea

the pirate came:

messenger of evil

with his fixed gaze

with his monotonous wooden leg

by way of the sea.

you must learn to remember

what the clouds cannot forget

by way of the sea:

with jasmine and the bull

with flour and iron

and the Black man to make gold

to weep in his uprooting

by way of the sea.

how can you forget

what the clouds still remember?

by way of the sea:

the parchment of the law

the ruler to mis-measure

and the whip to punish

and the syphilis of the viceroy,

and death --

to sleep without waking,

by way of the sea

hard memory to remember

what the clouds cannot forget.

And beat it down with the drum,

beat it down, runaway slave --

beat it down.

6. yanbando

music & lyrics: Juan-Carlos Formell

when the Black man dances

the moon wakes up --

to steal the light from his smile.

The drums talk all night long

black blood wells up in song --

no work tomorrow.

the moon slips away

the rooster struts --

children frolic on the beach.

the sun shines into the house

the Black man hides his pain --

the day of freedom vanquishes sorrow.

7. amor de Luna /moon love

     music & lyrics: Juan-Carlos Formell

here comes the moon

shrouded in mist --

There is a sorrow

that's not forgotten

a song that's sad

and tonight

it will all be forgotten

because the moon bought love

moon love,

a simple love

moon love,

my great love

moon love,

magical love

mystical love....

8. Penetracion del viento/

     penetration of the wind

        music: Juan-Carlos Formell

9. testamento /testament

       music: Juan-Carlos Formell

          lyrics: Jose Marti

 when I die,

 without a country

 but with no master,

 on my grave I want

 a wreath of flowers and a flag.

  I come from everywhere

  and everywhere I go:

  I am art among the arts

  and in the woodlands

  I'm the woods.

  I'm growing a white rose

  in July as in January:

  for the honest friend

  who gives me their true hand --

  and for the cruel person

  who tears out my heart

  I'm not growing nettles,

  I'm growing a white rose.

   don't put me in the dark

   to die like a traitor:

   I'm good, and since I'm good;

   I'll die with my face to the sun.

       Yemaya, Obatala...........

 10. se feliz /be happy

  music & Lyrics: Descemer Bueno

if loneliness numbs your soul,

if winter comes up to your window

don't give in to the open wound

better to forget, and start a new life

and breathe in the fresh air,

without falling into doubt --

if one day you find happiness in life

be happy --

be happy... be happy... be happy.

with the colors of a butterfly,

fly between the clouds of spring --

if you think that the rain will strip you bare,

play in the seas that wake the moon

and -- be happy

be happy.. be happy... be happy.

If loneliness numbs your soul ....

11.  divina luz /divine light

           music & lyrics: Juan-Carlos Formell

divine light that washes away sorrow

divine light that guides us to love

divine light that saves our life

when someone wounds our heart

om...om..om...

divine light that fills us with happiness

divine light that perfumes reason

divine light that saves our life

when someone crushes hope.

divine light that caresses us

divine light that frees us from rancor

divine light that saves our life

when someone wounds our heart.

divine light that blesses a smile

divine light that beautifies this song

divine light that saves our life

when someone crushes hope.