Dalkeygow by Faadumo Qaasim
Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 11:01 am
To me, this is one of the most powerful songs that I have ever listened to. I can not express it in words but it touches me in a way that no song have ever touched my soul. Mr. Amin must've extracted these words from the depths of his soul.
Lemme try to translate for the unfortunate non-Somali speakers, even though I am sure I could never do justice in reflecting the weight of the lyrics and the aim of the author.
Dalkaygow dushaadu waa barwaaqee dalkaygow
O my country, you are lushly verdant, O my country
Dalkeygow dabeyshaadu waa udgoontee dalkaygow
O my country, your breeze is aromatic O my country
Dalxiis kaagama aan imaanin dalkaygow
I am not a sightseer from afar O my country
Meel aan kugu doorsanaayaa
There isnÂ’t a place I would barter with you
Miyay dunidaba ku taalaa dalkaygow
In the whole wide world
Inaan dibadaha wareego
To roam overseas
Inaan dawarsado shihseeye
To beg foreigners
Danlaawe inaan ahaado
To be aimless
Qaxooti inaan dan moodo
To feel to be refugee is fulfilling
Waxay dantu igu xambaartay, dalkaygow
I deemed necessary O my country
Markii duulba duul wareemay, dalkaygow
When factions attacked one another, O my country
Markii nabad la isu diiday, dalkaygow
When peace became illusive O my country
Sokeeye markuu is dooxay, dalkaygow
When kinfolks gored each other O my country
Duqowdii la dhaafi waayay, dalkaygow
When elders were not spared
Markay dihatee sun daacday
When it went abyss and belched poison
Ayaan nafta la soo dalaalay, dalkaygow
That is when I rescued my soul O my country
Dalkaygow dushaadu waa barwaaqee dalkaygow
O my country, you are lushly verdant, O my country
Dalkeygow dabeyshaadu waa udgoontee dalkaygow
O my country, your breeze is aromatic O my country