“In the Old Days”

[NASSIR]

What a nostalgia!

 

 

“In the Old Days”

 

 

Sung by Mohamed Jama Joof and Maryan Mursal:

(late 1960s).

 

In English

 

He:

In the old days it was custom that a girl perfumed her hair and braided it. She wrapped around her waist a wide cloth belt with fringes and an ornamental cord, and wore a white dress. But something has changed. Something weird with long horns they wear as hats on their heads and run all over the market. [Refrain:} You women have destroyed our culture. You have overstepped the religious law and destroyed our religion. Girls, won’t you behave?

 

She:

What was custom in the old days and a hundred years ago and what has been left behind, don’t make us go back to that well-worn road, for we have turned away from it with effort. Now we expect to run and compete for the sun and the moon and to lead people. [Refrain:] First get some education and learn how to read and write. Don’t try to turn back, you country hick, people who have woken up!

 

He:

In the old days it would happen that a girl would not address you for one or two months, and the men who went out looking would not see her for days. But something has changed. In the evening a whole gang of them goes out, carrying fat purses, wandering about outside like robbers. [Refrain]

 

She:

God allayed the waters of sea and river and made them come together. And he put in order the wide earth and the mountains and created his human beings each in a different way. You are a loser. No one is asking you to come along. [Refrain]

He:

In the old days it was custom to pay as bride wealth for a girl a whole herd of camels and the most exceptional horse, and a rifle on top of that. But something has changed. You are self-absorbed and ignore the advice of the family in which you were born. [Refrain]

 

She:

Girls used to be exchanged for a herd of camels and short-legged goats. But the religion we learned and the Qur’an do not allow this. Today we have no need for those who deal in what they do not own and for this old-fashioned dividing up of women. [Refrain:] First get some education and learn how to read and write. Don’t try to turn back, you country hick, people who have woken up!

 

 

In Somali

 

He:

Beri hore waxaa jiray, inan timaha diibtoo, baarkana u tidhicdoo,

boqorkiyo dhaclaha iyo, maro baylah xidhatee.

Wax beddelay kuwii hore, balo geesa dheeroo, buul madaxa saarto,

suuqa baratamayee.

Naa bi'ise dhaqankii, sharcigii ka baydhoo, diintii burburisee,

hablow maad is badh qabataan?

 

She:

Boqol sano horteed iyo, beri hore wixii jiray, ee layska baal maray,

budulkii dib ha u qaban, laga soo baqoolee.

Hadda baratan iyo orod, bisha iyo cadceeddiyo, beesha loo horseedoo,

aannu beegsanaynaa.

Horta baro tacliintiyo, buuggiyo dhigaalkoo,

badowyahow dib ha u celin dadka soo baraarugay

 

He:

Beri hore waxaa jiray, inan aan bil iyo laba, hadal kaaga bixinoo

raggu baadiggoobaa, beri arag ku weydaa

Wax beddelay kuwii hore, casarkii dar baxayoo, kiish buuran qaatiyoo

budhcad dibedda meertee.

Naa bi'ise dhaqankii, sharcigii ka baydhoo, diintii burburisee,

hablow maad is badh qabataan?

 

She:

Ilaahii bad iyo webi, biyahooda dhaarshee, meel kula ballamayee,

dhulka baaxaddaliyo, buuraha rakibay baa

bani aadmigiisana, ruuxba cayn u beeree

waad baafiyoodee, cidi kulama baydhinee.

Horta baro tacliintiyo, buuggiyo dhigaalkoo,

badowyahow dib ha u celin, dadka soo baraarugay

 

He:

Beri hore waxaa jiray, inan baarax geeliyo, faraskii Baxdow wada,

yarad looga bixiyaa, bunduqana la raacshaa.

Wax beddelay kuwii hor, isu bogan badh maqanoo,

bahdii ay ka dhalatiyo, baylihisay waanee.

Naa bi'ise dhaqankii, sharcigii ka baydhoo, diintii burburisee,

hablow maad is badh qabataan?

 

 

Source

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[NGONGE]

I love the speed and tempo of this song. Never fully paid attention to all the lyrics though. Thanks for the translation, saaxib.