Malaika
There is some debate about authorship of the wonderful Swahili song Malaika, but it is generally credited to Fadhili William. There are many English translations available, but here I have made a translation with the same rhythm as the original lyrics -- the English words fit to the tune. So you could sing the song in English, or maybe in Swahili with a few English lines to explain the meaning.
Malaika, nakupenda Malaika
Malaika, nakupenda Malaika
Nami nifanyeje
Kijana mwenzio
Nashindwa na mali sina, we
Ningekuoa Malaika
Nashindwa na mali sina, we
Ningekuoa Malaika
Pesa zasumbua roho yangu
Pesa zasumbua roho yangu
Nami nifanyeje
Kijana mwenzio
Nashindwa na mali sina, we
Ningekuoa Malaika
Nashindwa na mali sina, we
Ningekuoa Malaika.
Kidege, hukuwaza (we) kidege
Kidege, hukuwaza (we) kidege
Nami nifanyeje
Kijana mwenzio
Nashindwa na mali sina, we
Ningekuoa Malaika
Nashindwa na mali sina, we
Ningekuoa Malaika
Malaika, love you, angel, Malaika
Malaika, love you, angel, Malaika
Here I am, as your love
And what am I to do?
Lack of fortune is defeating me
Or I would marry you, angel
Lack of fortune is defeating me
Or I would marry you, angel
Money, that's the cause of my troubled heart
Money, that's the cause of my troubled heart
Here I am, as your love
And what am I to do?
Lack of fortune is defeating me
Or I would marry you, angel
Lack of fortune is defeating me
Or I would marry you, angel
Little bird, always dream of you, little bird
Little bird, always dream of you, little bird
Here I am, as your love
And what am I to do?
Lack of fortune is defeating me
Or I would marry you, angel
Lack of fortune is defeating me
Or I would marry you, angel