Eh Yakobo
Here's a Swahili version of Frère Jacques...
Eh Yakobo
Hey, Jacob
Children's Song
Children's Song
(Swahili)
(English)
Eh Yakobo,
Eh Yakobo,
Walala?
Walala?
Amka twende shule
Haya njoo,
Haya njoo.
Hey, Jacob,
Hey Jacob,
Are you sleeping?
Are you sleeping?
Wake up let's go to school
Ok come,
Ok come.
Comments
I asked Anthonia about the popularity of this version of Frère Jacques in Tanzania. It seems there are different versions known there. Here's what Anthonia wrote:
"I'm more familiar with the English version, which is;
Are you sleeping
Are you sleeping
Brother John
Brother John
Morning bells are ringing
Morning bells are ringing
Ding dong bell
Ding dong bell.
(Others sing 'Ok come, ok come", instead of 'Ding dong bell, Ding dong bell.')
I have asked my colleagues here, one said she sung it in Swahili using the name Yakobo (Jacob). Yet the other said they used the name Mussa (Moses)."
Thanks!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Anthonia Maji for translating this song!
Photo: Wikipedia, cc, Kids at Maringa Chini Primary School, Tanzania.
Aksante Sana!