This song is called “Sidii hogosha roobka”. It’s a Somali classic standard, recorded by one of Somalia’s most prominent singers of the 60s and 70s, Mandeeq. This is her version of the song below. Scroll down to track 12, then press play.
I’ve been listening to K’nann’s new album, “Troubadour” so much lately and the Somali lyrics he includes are beautiful, and intriguing. I searched some translations on the web and came up with this neat connection. His version of the classic standard is below…love both versions.
To me, K’naan’s has something real special in it, something more raw, a little bit sensual. No luck in a translation yet, so I’m still working on that part. I wonder if K’naan’s english lyrics are a translation…