Sai boddeoh Sumpun komo
Sai boddeoh Sumpun komo
I am Not Going to Marry Sumpun
Children's Song
Children's Song
(Baluba)
(English)
1. Sai Sumpun komo.
De Sumpun nenah?
Sumpun se jello jeppo
Boddeoh Sumpun.
2. Sai Sumpun komo.
De Sumpun nenah?
Sumpun auch nahn jehn deddoc.
Boddeoh Sumpun.
1. I am not going to marry Sumpun.
What has Sumpun done?
Sumpun doesn't live a seafaring life
Boddeoh Sumpun.
2. I am not going to marry Sumpun.
What has Sumpun done?
Sumpun does not support me.
Boddeoh Sumpun.
Notes
We believe this may be a Tshiluba rhyme. If anyone can confirm this, please email me.
Comments
This rhyme can be found in Negro Folk Rhymes, Wise and Otherwise, with a Study by Thomas W. Talley of Fisk University (1922).
Here's the text from the section of the book where this song can be found: "The rhymes... 'Sai Boddeoh Sumpun Komo,' and 'Byanswahn-Byanswahn' were kindly contributed by Mr. John H. Zeigler, Monrovia, Liberia, and Mr. C. T. Wardoh of the Bassa Tribe, Liberia. They are natives and are now in America for collegiate study and training...." Later it said, "The following child's play rhyme in Baluba with its translation was contributed by Mrs. L. G. Sheppard, who was for many years a missionary in Congo, Africa."
We're not sure if this rhyme is from Liberia or Congo and which language it's in. If anyone can confirm the language, and/or country of origin, please email me