Voandalana (Fruit of the Trip)

Tarika, Son Egal, 1997

sonegal

(Levelo)

This song was written by Rakotoarivelo Jean de Britto Marie G., a.k.a. Levelo, the third of his we've recorded. His lyrics are full of very strong Malagasy play on words, proverbs and true illustrations. They are very beautiful.

He started a trio in 1981 that toured abroad and won prizes. I remember watching their show - three very powerful people. And then Levelo was no longer heard - I guess his fame did not last because nobody supported him so he (like many others) gave up. All he wants to do is music but he cannot earn his living by it in Madagascar.

When we met in 1991, he insisted I listen to his songs in case I wanted to sing them. Little did he know that I already sang them all the time! Me and my sister Noro were singing one of his songs in the kitchen when we were first offered a record deal!

I find this one very beautiful and very complex. I had a really difficult time in translating it, almost impossible. A lot of the words he uses are part of the disappearing culture of Madagascar. This song exactly represents the style of music and life of my own tribe, the Merina.

As soon as we arrived we played the drums/We are sorry because we forgot to say hello/We were in a hurry to clap/It's a party for gathering family members/To listen to some music/Made especially for you/The fruit of our trip is only a lullaby/If you happen to like it/Get the seats and settle down to listen to the music.

Ours is a proper seed produced by the red dust/It grows and grows to enter the red bloodstream. It's not "hola-kazo" or "voatapia" or "ketapotsy"/Or delicious "bononoka" with peanut/It's not guayava or "soherin-dandy" or "bokana"/But only made up songs to be listened to.

All the songs that the Malagasy used to sing/We will play them until they echo/It is not for your stomach/Those who are hungry can chew wind/Because lyrics can be the food for a resting mind/Lots of thoughts/Let the prophet tell you the little that we know/My brain is tired and needs to be sung a song.

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