Texts of "Dzideƒo!: Songs for Chorus and West African Percussion Ensemble" (2008)
English texts by Sarah Cornwell; Ewe translations by Vincent Von Vordzogbe (2006)
Movement 1
Henɔ (lead) Lions of the eastern seaboard Dzatao si le xedzeƒe ƒuanu la
Hunt by day. Ɗea aɖegbe gbesiagbe.
Haxelawo (group) We hunt by day. Miè ɖea aɖegbe gbesiagbe.
We tear at meats Miè vuvua adelão
Of dream, at meats of want. Si miè kudrɔe, le hiãhia me.
We ask if this is all there is, Esia katã koe nye esi li la,
We tear at promised meats. Miè vuvua adelão si nugbe miè do.
Movement 2
(L = lead, G = group)
L. This winter is larger than cities. O Kpetsi-dza-xeyiyi sia yaa ga lolo wu dugãwo.
G. Sleep, then. Esia ta, dɔ alɔ.
L. This winter is larger than cities. Kpetsi-dza-xeyiyi sia lolo wu dugãwo.
G. Sleep then – wait. Dɔ alɔ, dzudzor, na lala.
This cold will not be bribed or broken Vuvɔ sia ma xɔa adzɔnu alo aŋe o
And you are small beneath white skies. Ena be nele sue le alilikpo-yii sia te.
This winter is larger than cities. Kpetsi-dza-xeyiyi sia lolo wu dugãwo.
Sleep, then. Eya ta, dɔ alɔ.
Movement 3
Henɔ (lead): Hold out your hands, palms up
A cloudburst, a
Storm of futures,
Haxelawo (group): we say
Hold out your hands to
Catch what you can
For no one else can live this day.
© by Sarah Cornwell and Vincent Von Vordzogbe (2006)