Youssou N'dour

Olel (The Echo)

Youssou N'dour


Listen to my voice 
Echoing in the night 
Talking with the universe 
Bringing advice to humanity 
My friend, respect your word 
Keep your dignity 
Try to know your role in society 
Olel invites the Halpulaar (those who speak Pulaar) 
And all Africans 
To unite around the fount of knowledge 
That is Africa 
To reflect, like the echo 
A sense of solidarity 
Within the family 
And in the wider community 
Good or bad 
What we sow, we reap 
Like the music of the great Peul festivals 
Our song carries a prayer 
That next year's celebrations 
Will see everyone reunited 
Reciting the same prayer 
My heart is full of love for you 
Political leaders shake hands 
But do they really want national unity? 
Children of Senegal 
Come dance the Yela Hayo! 
All over Senegal 
They're dancing the Yela 
Even the Serers dance the Yela! 
Senef footballers in France 
Senes footballers in Senegal 
Solidarity will win you 
The African cup in 1992 
We don't care where the rain comes from 
As long as it rains 
In Senegal 
In Mali 
They dance the Yela 
Yela is a song about love