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Overdone
Ahead, ahead, guitar man! Ahead! Ahead! Ahead! Play me that music my friend Play me that music friend You’ve got our confidence, We’ve got you Njombé – Fire away!
Allez! Allez! Allez , Ndinga1 Man! Allez! Allez! Allez! Booka me dat N’dengué2 komplice3
Booka me dat N’dengué tara We get you n‘kong4, We get you njombé- Faya!
Overdone5 na Mboot6-oh, Mola7..(2X) Being overly savvy is naught, Mister Being too much of a smart-ass is zilch, my friend Being a smart-ass is zilch
Oversense na nye’zem-oh8, Tara9.. Oversense na nye’-oh,
Over N’tontu na ndutu10-oh, mellieur (2X) Too much n’diaraba na problem-oh, Élo11! (2X) Dis mutumbu12 na hep dedicase for all ma complice dem wey dem dey for wah for all kan-kan nangaï13 Yes, for all ma own pipo dem way dem dey for joi for sa-ba-saï
This [song], you lowlifes, is a hefty tribute to all my friends out there hustling at all kinds of odd jobs.
Mbombo wuna teme, wuna boogloo Sep dans le courbé14 wuna saka da-so, Becos day di go, mandat di bole…… Ndinga-man, the very very............
Overdone na Mboot-oh, Mola..(2X)
Yes! To all my “people” who show joy [by waving] “side-to-side” Brothers, go all out, you’ all [should] dance Even those who prefer traditional dance-moves, you should dance all the same Because as the day goes, time is running out (i.e time waits for no one) Guitar-man, the one and only…………..
Oversense na nye’zem-oh, Tara.. Oversense na nye’-oh,
Over N’tontu15 na ndutu-oh, mellieur (2X) Too much n’diaraba na problem-oh, Élo! (2X)
1 “Ndinga man” - (Guitar man) 2 “Ndengue” means music, obviously derived from and a homonym of Lapiro’s signature instrument- the guitar or “N’dinga” 3 “Komplice” is derived from the word “accomplice”(English) or “complice” (French); used more affectionately to me “associate” or “partner-in-crime” 4 “N’kong” is creatively used here as a double-entendre, on the one hand suggesting a “shout-out” to the cities of Nkongsamba and Njombe, both neighboring Lapiro’s hometown of Mbanga, On the other hand, acknowledging the confidence (“N’kong”) which the people have in Lapiro. 5 “Overdone” is derived from its two root words in English, literally meaning “Overly done” or “Over-cooked”. In Pidgin English “done” is used as a measure of one who is socially savvy or seasoned or slick. 6 The etymology of “Mboot” is unknown, probably appropriated from one of Cameroon’s many local languages, it’s the diametric opposite of “overdone”; suggesting a novice, neophyte, apprentice, or trainee who is out-of-touch, lame, un-cool, unsophisticated, socially inept or clumsy. 7 “Mola” means “Mister” or “Sir” in the Bakweri language. 8 “Nye’zem” is synonymous with “Mboot”. Probably derived from one of the languages native to the Western/Littoral Province. Can also be used in its abbreviated form, “Nye”. 9 “Tara” is synonymous with “Complice”, an endearing word for “friend”, “devotee” or “follower” 10 “Ndutu” means “trouble” or “problem” in the Duala language 11 “Élo” is most likely used pejoratively here as one of several slang terms for “smart-talking” public figures who have “over sense”. Pos. derived from “eloquence”. Could also be a truncation of the word “Élobi”, the word for “ghetto” in Camfranglais. 12 “Moutoumbou”: means “Lies” 13 “Nangai”: means “name” in Lingala 14 “Courbé”is used here to suggest the hunched-over posture as is common with traditional dancers from the grassfields of Cameroon 15 “N’tontu” is synonymous with “Over sense” and “n’diaraba”, and refers to an “impudent” or “smart Aleck”, an obnoxiously conceited person.
Overdone
Everybody must wakeup! You’all [should] dance, you’all should boogaloo Guitar-man, holler, holler, holler! All [of] your accomplices are [firmly] behind you my friend.Play me that music in the good-old way
All man mus wake-up, Wuna16 saka, Wuna boogloo17
Ndinga-man halla-halla-halla18! All complice dem dey for you back tara, Booka we da n’dengue according to the law! You bring yaself for take me,
You came here to sway me, I used my savvy to deflect/repel/avert you Novice, don’t bring me problems
I take modelle I motion you Mbootman no bring me ndutu You bring yaself for take me, I take modelle19 I motion you Las-man no bring me ninguis
Not you, you’re an upstart Not you novice, don’t [you] dare me Not you, you can’t show me nothing new
No be you, you noba20 born21. No be you, mbootman no try me No be you, you no fit sho me n’dongo-eh.
Mbombo22! Some lassa23 man weyi don lop24 sotay25 e head begin hip26 kriss27 don kam meetup me wey’á don kale28 kébé29 for ma own mapan30 dans le konguet31….
16 “Wuna” or “Wana” means “all of you” possibly derived from “one-and-all”, then truncated to “one-all”, then “wana”(Pidgin). It is an expression that could conceivably have been corrupted from the plantation culture of colonial Cameroon. If a European supervisor demanded cooperation from “one-and-all”, Cameroonian natives from coastal tribes would have heard “Óa na..”(Duala/Bakweri) which means “You and…”; and would correctly [mis]translate the meaning of the expression.
Friends! Some lowlife who had smoked so much [that] he was going mad met-up with me as I sat chilling at my hideout in [quartier Congo?]
17 “Boogloo” is a corruption of the word “Boogaloo”; a kind of Latin music and dance which was popular in the United-States in the late 1960s. 18 “Halla” is derived from the English word “holler”, meaning to “scream”, “yell” or “shout” 19 “Modelle” is derived from the French word “modelé”, meaning original, pattern or blueprint. Suggesting a tried-and-true method or technique for gaining influence or prevailing over someone. 20 “Noba” is a corruption of the English word “Never”, it is a recurring practice for words to be transliterated when borrowed from English/French into Pidgin. Along the coastal peoples it had to do the interference of the native languages in the adoption of English/French and the Western education. Hence, the town of Bonabedi in the outskirts of Duala/Douala becomes Bonaberi, and a word like “laugh” become “laff” (Pidgin) and end up as “Lap” in Camfranglais. 21 “Noba born” would literally be “never born” or “unborn”. This is pidgin hyperbole, suggesting one who is an upstart; so untrained, untaught, unschooled, unrefined, untutored that they might as well be “unborn” in the arts of persuasion, haggling or negotiation. 22 “Mbombo” literally means “namesake” in Douala and Mungo/Bakweri family of coastal languages. Used here as a term of endearment for “friend” 23 “Lassa” means “rearmost” or “lowest” in a series. Its etymology is unknown, but the word is commonly used in Camfranglais as synonymous with a “Mboot-man” or to designate the tell-tale attributes of such persons. It is the antonym of an “ending-man”, an expert who has reached the summit of accomplishment and suaveness. Usefully, it rhymes with “last” (English). 24 “Lop” or “Lob” is used here as a double-entendre. Derived from the French word “Lober” which means to “trick” or be “crafty”, It fits neatly into Camfranglais diction because it is also an abbreviation for the English word “Lobby” and can thus be contrived to from both languages. “Lob” could also be used to suggest that someone has been smoking ganja (Marijuana or weed). 25 “Sotay” means “until”, “till” or “to the extent that”, implying an extended period in time. The origins of the word are unknown, but “so-tey” is widely used in pidgin Creoles in Africa with the same meaning. 26 “Hip” means “to show signs of”; Derived from a corruption of the English word “heave” and suggesting uncontrollable “fits” 27 “Kriss” means “crazy”; suggesting anyone with mental problems, lacking balance or equanimity. An apt homonym to the French word “crise” -meaning “crises” or an “unstable situation” 28 “Kale” is pidgin slang for “hold down”, to hold and manage well 29 “Kébé” alludes to the characteristically stiff posture of kébé-kébé puppet heads of the Kuyu people in the Congo i.e. unmoved, unaffected, imperturbable 30 “Mapan” generally implies a range of situations: unusual, on the sly, out of the ordinary or off the beaten track. 31 “Konguet” is slang for quartier Congo, a huge shanty town on the outskirts of Douala
Overdone
Wey’á dey ma own elang-elang32, da’so33 “onze-devans-onze34” Rapidement nye’zem begin’di dribblez35 me asho-asho36 dans le shiba Kengué37 wan mimba for motion me dans le main levee A’man38, allo39-man don loss sense! Yi tin say I be gibier40! How way me á don go for nyè41 say mboot man di mimba42 overdone,
…As I was my own hangout…drinking one bottle [of beer] after another…….. Quickly, this neophyte began slobbering over me with a feigned friendship This imbecile would dare to signal at me by raising his hand. My friends, this schmoozer had lost his mind! He thinks I am sitting duck! Once I had discerned that this neophyte fancied himself a professional Against my better judgment, I decided to play the role of an idiot-on the sly,What you’d know as “the undercover role”
Kontre43 le sense popo44, me I don decide for booka45 role for moogo46 dans le sia-sia Na’i you di comprend say “le role dans le role”. Yes a’man, le motion dans le motion.
My friend, the neophyte blinded me with [___CFA?]. Quickly I confirmed; “Yes, that will do”. Amidst the serious haggling, I fancied myself an aficionado(i.e. a ‘playa’), I played-along to give him [high] hopes, The novice believed he was firmly in charge. [Only] An idiot laughs as the river sweeps him away!
Mbombo , nye’zem don flancher me two-fue for excé, Rapidement á confirme; á say “Oui, sa donne’. Dans la situation for hanh-hanh47 popo me a don begin di mimba joeur, Á di bata gib’é48 espoir49
Lassa di mimba sey’i di controller situation ensure. Moomoo di lap50, ndiba51 di kell’i!
32 “Elang-elang” is probably derived from “élancé”(French), alluding to the willow tree with its relaxed, drooping/sagging branches. 33 “Da’so” is a Pidgin word contrived from “that’s all” meaning “basically” 34 “Onze-devans-onze” Perhaps one of the most cryptic expressions Lapiro uses in the song, the expression literally means “one ‘eleven’ after another”. Borrowed directly from the Anglophone socio-cultural experience where parliamentary proceedings were deliberated on ten official agenda items, “Item eleven” described ALL after-hours activities, which usually involved alcohol. In French, the word for “eleven” is “onze”. So “onze-devans-onze” describes drinking “one bottle [of beer] after another” 35 “Dribbler” is French for “dribble”, contrived to mean, “speaking rapidly” and “disjointedly” to one’s listener. 36 “Aso-aso” is derived from the alliteration of the word “associé”(French), truncated to its first syllable “aso”- used here to mean one who is “inordinately friendly” 37 “Kengué” or “Nkengué” is synonymous with “Mboot”, specifically and “imbecile”. Anglophone Cameroonians will recognize this word as “Kendé” or “N’kendé”: name for the inedible white residue that settles at the bottom of a palm wine bottle , or the burnt chaff under a pot of fufu. 38 “A’man” is the honorific equivalent of “Mister” in the Ewondo-Beti language group. “Sango” for the Duala and “Mola” for the Bakweri. 39 “Allo” is a word derived from the truncation of “allocution”(French) meaning “speech” or “dialogue” or “talker” 40 “Gibier” is appropriated wholly from its French meaning for “game” or “prey”. Allegorically “gibier d’eau” (French) is a “water fowl” , suggesting a “sitting duck” which can easily be shot down. 41 “Nyè” is used here to mean “see” or “observe” or “notice”, “perceive”, “detect” or “discern”. 42 “Mimba” is a corruption of the word “Remember”(English), used to mean “think”-more accurately “assume”, “imagine” or “consider” 43 “Kontre” is adopted wholly from the word “Contre” (French) meaning “against” 44 “Popo” means “truthfully” or “straightforwardly” 45 “Booka” is a transliteration of “Boca”(Portuguese word for “mouth”), used here to mean “play” or “fool around” or “participate”. The word entered CamFranglais through the popularity of the renowned Argentinean team “Boca Juniors” or “Boca”, the team that could “play” football. 46 “Mogoo” or “Mougou” means “idiot”, or one who susceptible to being “pushed around” 47 “Hanh-hanh” is an onomatopoeic expression for “haggling” or “bargaining”, suggesting the give/take and the back/forth of the exchange. 48 “gib’é” or “gi’yé”: expressions borrowed from Pidgin, derived from “Give him” (English) 49 “Espoir” is wholly appropriated from French, meaning “hope” 50 “Lap” or “laff” is a corruption of the word “laugh” (English) 51 “Ndiba” is the word for “water” in the Duala language, used here to mean “river”
Overdone
De temps-en-temps kengué di lep me mbindi52 fue fo say me’a go convaincre all amougou A’man, a di ratta53 da main levee take hold ma foot54. For las heur55 non wey’a ēleke-man don go comprend sey’i own motion don knock56, E’jibi57 wan mambi fo brass58 me, Na’e wey a don langua59 e say, “petit frère lookut!60 no tenter61; You chercha, you trouva: you trouva, you supporta62
No make a rectifier63 you lek dat small toitteur64 for parpaing65 fo mbang wey dem di m’belle yi say maitre Lep66 dan you own agenda, you don fall fo chôki67!”
Fo beginner form68 for today, you must learn one chapter fo Ndinga man
Time and again this imbecile would leave me with a little [money?], so I could use it to convince all the foolish people. I would swipe that ‘raised hand’ and use it to settle my affairs. In the end, when this useless man would understand that his ‘efforts’ had been squashed, The scoundrel wanted to shake me down, That’s when I told him: “Young man watch out! Don’t even dare; You sought, you found: as you find, [so too] you must endure Don’t make me set you straight like that smalltime brick roofer in Mbanga who is being policed like a master builder. Abandon that project of yours, you’ve been conned/defrauded!
In today’s’ beginner class, you must learn one chapter from the Guitar-man, Chapter One: Don’t make mistakes Chapter two: A fool’s error is the experts’ gain Chapter three: Being overly savvy is naught Chapter four: Being a novice is a handicap/disease
Chapter one: No make erreur Chapter two: Erreur fo mbutuku, na dame for n’dos Chapter three: Oveddone na mboot Chapter four: Mboot na sick!
52 “Mbindi” means “little” as in “small amount” 53 “Ratta” means “swipe” used to mean “divert”, “reroute” or “misappropriate”. Probably derived from the word “rat”(English) or “arata”(Pidgin), alluding to the rodent’s penchant for “pilfering” or “making off” with household items. 54 “Take hold ma foot” is a common Pidgin idiom, meaning to ‘make do’ with whatever is available. E.g. “take dis chop hold ya bele” meaning “take this food and fill your belly for now” 55 “las heure” means “final hour”, or the “end” combining “last” (English) and “heure” (French) 56 “Knock” means “squash” or “frustrated”, derived from the malfunctioning of internal-combustion engines which manifests as a clatter or pinging sound, described as “engine knock”. 57 “E’jibi” or “Eshimbi” is [I believe] a word from a local Cameroon language used interchangeably as synonyms for the derogatory “Mboot man” or “Ē’leke man” 58 “Brass” is derived from “Brasser”(French), meaning to “brew”, “mix” or “shake-down”- to apply force or duress. 59 “langua” means “tell” or “inform”, derived from “language” (English/French) or from the Duala “languêa” 60 “lookot” means “watch out” or “beware”, derived from “look out” (English) 61 “tenter” is French for “tempt”, and used to mean “incite” or “provoke”. It usefully rhymes with “tempeter”(French) for “rave” or “rave” 62 “Chercha”/ “trouva” / “supporta” are French words (indicatif) meaning respectively “seek”-“find”- “tolerate”/endure, conjugated here in the passé simple tense. 63 “Rectifier” is derived from French, meaning “adjust” or “repair”. Used here to mean “correct” or to “set aright”. 64 “Toiture” is the French word for “Roofing”, so “Toiteur” is contrived to mean one who does roofing- a roofer. 65 “Parpaing” is the French word for construction “block” or “bricks”, known as “parpen”/ “parpend” (English) 66 “Lep” is a corruption of “leff”(Pidgin) or “leave” (English), used here to mean “abandon” 67 “Choki” or “Tchoki” means to be “victim” to a con or ruse. Aptly complements “Choko” or “Tchoko” which means paying to elicit favor with a bribe. “Choko” probable originates from “Choke”(English) or “throttle”- a process which in cars enriches the fuel mixture of (an internal-combustion engine) by diminishing the air supply to the carburetor. 68 “Beginner form” means the “upstart class”, derived wholly from Cameroon’s Anglophone secondary educational system where classes are ranked from Form one to five.
Overdone
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camfranglais http://etounou.free.fr/?2007/03/28/39-parler-camerounais-dictionnaire#K http://listserv.linguistlist.org/Cameroon Pidgin https://www.indiana.edu/~iulcwp/pdfs/03-echu03.pdf
Now listen to Lapiro’s “Overdone” in a whole new light:
http://www.zshare.net/audio/8198233a600a05/
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
