I want to share with you a beautiful song from Peter Gabriel. I wrote this note on my Facebook long time ago and now it is perfect to share it with you as I decided to add another chapter of passion here: Music.
Learning the language through singing can be the easiest and subconscious way. Most of my learning when I was a child came through singing along with Peter Gabriel :]. No matter how old you are: listen, sing along and enjoy the powerful influence of the tunes and language!
All those who would like to experience this song as the language lesson:
* Look at the tittle and try to imagine what this song will be about.
* Listen to the song and dance!
* Listen to the song again and try to follow with the words in front of you - you can join in with your singing aloud or quietly in the music of your brain.
* What is the meaning of this song? Was your guess right?
* Make an entry in your private visual dictionary for *tide*. If you still haven't got one you can start it following the directions from here.
You will find more exercises and the lyrics with the gaps to fill in here.
* Changing your ways, changing those surrounding you - shaking the tree *
Peter Gabriel – Shaking The Tree
(co-written with Senegalese singer, songwriter Youssou N’Dour)
Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon is a Senegalese term meaning, “If we had known, if we had only known”.
The native language is Wolof.
(there are different versions of this song for live vs. studio sets, as well as a couple of lines varying by recording year. A 12” extended remix version exists as well. This is the order of the lyrics as sung in the 1993 Secret World
Tour)
Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon, We are shakin' the tree
Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon, We are shakin' the tree
Waiting your time, dreaming of a better life
Waiting your time, you're more than just a wife
You don't have to do what your mother has done
She has done
This is your life, this new life has begun
It's your day - a woman's day
It's your day - a woman's day
Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon, We are shakin' the tree
Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon, We are shakin' the tree
Turning the tide, you are on the incoming wave
Turning the tide, you know you are nobody's slave
Find your sisters and brothers
Who can hear all the truth in what you say
They can support you when you're on your way
It's your day - a woman's day
It's your day - a woman's day
Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon, We are shakin' the tree
Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon, We are shakin' the tree
Changing your ways, changing those surrounding you
Changing your ways, more than any man can do
Open your heart, show him the anger and pain, so you heal
Maybe he's looking for his womanly side, let him feel
You had to be so strong
And you do nothing wrong
Nothing wrong at all
We're gonna break it down
We’re gonna shake it down
Shake it all around
********************************************************************************
So let yourself feel and enjoy. Ther more you sing the better for your language and soul!
Kindly
A
(co-written with Senegalese singer, songwriter Youssou N’Dour)
Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon is a Senegalese term meaning, “If we had known, if we had only known”.
The native language is Wolof.
(there are different versions of this song for live vs. studio sets, as well as a couple of lines varying by recording year. A 12” extended remix version exists as well. This is the order of the lyrics as sung in the 1993 Secret World
Tour)
Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon, We are shakin' the tree
Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon, We are shakin' the tree
Waiting your time, dreaming of a better life
Waiting your time, you're more than just a wife
You don't have to do what your mother has done
She has done
This is your life, this new life has begun
It's your day - a woman's day
It's your day - a woman's day
Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon, We are shakin' the tree
Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon, We are shakin' the tree
Turning the tide, you are on the incoming wave
Turning the tide, you know you are nobody's slave
Find your sisters and brothers
Who can hear all the truth in what you say
They can support you when you're on your way
It's your day - a woman's day
It's your day - a woman's day
Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon, We are shakin' the tree
Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon, We are shakin' the tree
Changing your ways, changing those surrounding you
Changing your ways, more than any man can do
Open your heart, show him the anger and pain, so you heal
Maybe he's looking for his womanly side, let him feel
You had to be so strong
And you do nothing wrong
Nothing wrong at all
We're gonna break it down
We’re gonna shake it down
Shake it all around
********************************************************************************
So let yourself feel and enjoy. Ther more you sing the better for your language and soul!
Kindly
A