N'ap Debat (We're Hangin' On) - Sydney Guillaume

This composition is dedicated to people of Haiti and the victims of the January 12, 2010 earthquake. --This is the world premiere performance on January 22nd, 2011 by the 2011 Michigan School Vocal Music Association Men's Honor Choir. Brandon Ulrich, Conductor

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Scores are available for purchase from the composer.
Email: sydney@sydneyguillaume.com
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English Translation:

Oh! What an unbearable pain!
Oh, gracious God!
What an unbearable sorrow!

The third bell of the Cathedral just rang;
The sun set long ago behind Mount Lopital...
Mother Nature derailed, straining everyone to misery.
Large structures and small rafts have turned to dust and ashes.
Jesus, Marie, and Joseph... Grace and Mercy...

Mother Nature derailed, straining everyone to misery.
We see, but we don't understand,
It happened so suddenly.
The earth trembled!
The earth shook harder than a desert's leaf.

Help! Help! Rescue me, I beg you!
I'm at a loss for words...

Dies irae, dies illa; (Day of wrath, day of anger)
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine.
(Grant them eternal rest, Lord.)

Haiti! Haiti! What an unbearable pain,
Tighten your belt.
Haiti! Haiti! You are a valiant woman,
Hang in there, don't give up...

Rubberneckers from everywhere ask: "How's it going?"

"We're hangin'on, we're hangin'on,
We're hangin'on by the grace of God.

I am a bent reed that does not break;
Things may be awful today,
But tomorrow I will shine.

Wait and see, my friend,
Tomorrow I will shine."

Beware, Rubberneckers!
Don't even try, schemers!
I swear to you,
Haiti will not perish!

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Haitian Creole Text by: Gabriel T. Guillaume
(February 2010)

Woy! Alon doulè rèd'o!
Alon doulè rèd'o!
Mezanmi, woy!

Twazièm son fenk sonnen nan Legliz Katedral;
Solèy kouche lontan dèyè Mòn Lopital...
Lanati dechennen met tout moun anba kòd.
Gro kolòn, ti poto tounen pousiè ak sann.
Jezi, Mari, Josèf... Gras' a Mizerikòd...

Lanati dechennen met tout moun anba kòd.
Nou wè, nou pa konprann,
Sa rive sanzantann.
Latè tranble!
Latè tranble pi rèd pase fèy nan savann.

Anmwe! Anmwe! Sekou souple!
Nan pwen bouch pou pale...

Dies irae, dies illa;
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine.

Ayiti! Ayiti! Alon doulè rèd'o,
Mare senti'w sere.
Ayiti! Ayiti! Ou se yon fanm vanyan,
Kenbe la, pa lage...

Legetè toupatou mande: "Kouman ou ye?"

N'ap debat, n'ap debat,
N'ap debat gras' a Die.

Mwen se rozo banbou nan chimen chwal malen;
Ou mèt wè'm plat atè,
Yon lòt moman, m'an lè.

Rete tann zanmi mwen,
M'ap vin pi bèl demen.

Atansyon Legetè!
Pa pran chans Magouyè!
An verite twa fwa,
Ayiti pap peri!
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Category:

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