NA MANSU MANSU – Bilingual Lyrics /English

• By: Freirianas Guerreiras, Milito Freire

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the vibrant sounds of Cape Verde with "NA MANSU MANSU" by Freirianas Guerreiras and Milito Freire. This captivating Batuku track, delivered in Cape Verdean Creole and Portuguese, offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich linguistic and musical traditions of the islands. Its engaging rhythm and powerful vocal delivery make it a memorable piece for language learners and music enthusiasts alike.

[English]

Hey hey hey hey

Hey hey hey

Hey hey hey hey

Wow, darling, don’t tempt me, hey hey hey hey

Hey hey hey

Hey hey hey hey

Wow, darling, don’t tempt me, black beautiful girl

... with you

Come to me so we can talk

I don’t know where you’re from

We don’t know

Oh no, no

No, darling, don’t tempt me

No, no

No, darling, don’t tempt me—leave me at the edge of my heart, love

I’m still young

My mother doesn’t want us at home

I’ve already told you but I can’t stay quiet; I want to make it clear

But I, Milito, have held on; I’m dreaming of you

I’ve already spoken with my friends

My intention is to go and meet your family

My mother has already given me blessings: My child loves you, follow your heart. Hey hey hey hey

Hey hey hey

Hey hey hey hey

Wow, darling, don’t tempt me, hey hey hey hey

Hey hey hey

Hey hey hey hey

Wow, darling, don’t tempt me—I've already felt your nobility

But you are the king of suffering

I’ve already felt your nobility

But you are the king of the cursed

But we, you don’t understand

Your people’s children are disgraced, they never stay at home

But we, you don’t understand; I was your love, you silently seduced me without age

All families, without experience, I can’t speak

Love has no age; its bond lives in your love

I’ve already told you, if you let me, we’ll go softly. Softly, softly

Softly, we go softly

Softly, softly

Softly, we go softly

Hey, we’re going – softly

Oh, we’re going – softly

Our road goes – softly

Milito Freire – softly

Oh! My black love – softly

Hold me, calm, darling, I can’t stay silent

Oh, darling, I can’t stay silent

[]

Iai aiai ai aian

Iai aiai aian

Iai aiai ai aian

Uia, rapasinhu, ka bu ntenta-m Iai aiai ai aian

Iai aiai aian

Iai aiai ai aian

Uia, rapasinhu, ka bu ntenta-m Minina préta, bunita

[?] ku bo

Txiga na mi pa nu konbersa

Mi N ka sabe bo é di undi

Ami N ka [?]

[?] Nau, nau

Nau, rapasinhu, ka bu ntenta-m

Nau, nau

Nau, rapasinhu, ka bu ntenta-m Larga-m di pónta nha sulada, môs

Mi nha idadi é poku

Nha mai ka kre noiba na kasa

Dja N fla-u ma N ka pode ku stribilin N kre dexa-u ben klaru

Ma mi, Milito, dja N dura N ta sunha ku bo

Dja N kumenta ku nhas amigu

Nha xintidu é pa N ba konxe bu família

Nha mai dja da-m benson: Nha fidju matxu, sigi bu kurason Iai aiai ai aian

Iai aiai aian

Iai aiai ai aian

Uia, rapasinhu, ka bu ntenta-m Iai aiai ai aian

Iai aiai aian

Iai aiai ai aian

Uia, rapasinhu, ka bu ntenta-m Mi dja N obi bu nobidadi

Fladu ma bo é rei di malkriadu

Mi dja N obi bu nobidadi

Fladu ma bo é rei di matxikadu Minin di genti bu ta disgrasia, u ka ta kasa

Mas ami bu ka ta ngana

Minin di genti bu ta disgrasia, u ka ta kasa

Mas ami bu ka ta ngana Mi N éra k'é rapasinhu, N paxona sedu sen idadi

Famílias tudu [?], sen spiriénsa N ka dizisti

Amor ka ten idadi, filisidadi sa na bu mô

Dja N fla-u ma si bu dexa-m ma nu ta bai na mansu-mansu Na mansu-mansu, na mansu-mansu

Na mansu-mansu, nu ta bai na mansu-mansu

Na mansu-mansu, na mansu-mansu

Na mansu-mansu, nu ta bai na mansu-mansu

Oi, ma nu ta bai - na mansu-mansu

O, ma nu ta bai - na mansu-mansu

Kaminhu li e bai - na mansu-mansu

Milito Freire - na mansu-mansu

O! Nha préta - na mansu-mansu

Leba-m ku bo Kalma, rapasinhu, N ka pode ku stribilin

O, rapasinhu, N ka pode ku stribilin

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
rapasinhu /ʁapasĩu/ B2	noun - kind of traditional dance or expression
nha /ɲa/ A1	determiner - my
família /fa'milja/ A2	noun - family
kurason /ku'ʁasõ/ B2	noun - heart
familía /fa'milja/ A2	noun - family
confiança /kõfiˈãsɐ/ B2	noun - trust, confidence
bensón /bẽ'sɔ̃/ B2	noun - blessing, blessing gift
sangi /sã'ɡĩ/ B2	noun - blood
destinu /destinu/ B2	noun - destiny, fate
nómadu /nɔ'madu/ B2	noun - name
kasa /'kaza/ A2	noun - house, home
pintura /pĩ'tuɾa/ B2	noun - painting, paint
sóldadji /sõldadʒi/ C1	noun - brotherhood, camaraderie
esperança /espəˈnɐsɐ/ B2	noun - hope

Key Grammar Structures

• Txiga na mi pa nu konbersa

  ➔ Imperative mood with pronoun placement

  ➔ The imperative verb 'Txiga' (come) is followed by the pronoun 'na mi' (to me), showing typical Portuguese pronoun placement.

• Mi N ka sabe bo é di undi

  ➔ Negation with 'ka' and subject pronoun 'N'

  ➔ The negation 'ka' is used instead of 'não' in Cape Verdean Creole, and 'N' is a shortened subject pronoun for 'eu' (I).

• N kre dexa-u ben klaru

  ➔ Future intention with 'kre'

  ➔ 'Kre' (want) expresses future intention, similar to 'querer' in Portuguese.

• Dja N fla-u ma N ka pode ku stribilin

  ➔ Past tense with 'dja' and pronoun contraction

  ➔ 'Dja' marks the past tense, and 'fla-u' is a contraction of 'fla' (say) + 'u' (to you).

• Na mansu-mansu, nu ta bai

  ➔ Present progressive with 'ta'

  ➔ 'Ta' is used to form the present progressive, similar to 'está' in Portuguese.