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Maisha Ni Safi

May 24, 1995/July 30, 1995

I had been practicing some very basic Swahili with a young friend. One night as I lay down to sleep, the phrases running around in my head grew melodies, and this song emerged. There was no stopping it until I had dragged myself out of bed and written it down.

Lui – vocals, Martin guitar
Frank – electric bass
Rob – percussion
Billy – soprano sax
Jeff – electric guitars
chorus arranged and conducted by Robert I. Hugh
Chorus: Katrina DeGraff, Ben Fink, Eric Miller, Julia Rubin-Cadrain, Gretchen Upholt, Cross Woodfield

Hujambo, hujambo! Hello my friend, I greet you!
Hujambo, hujambo! I greet you, friend, hello!

Habari gani? What’s the news, how are ya’?
Habari gani? How are ya’, what’s the news?
Nzuri. Na wewe? Just fine and how about you?
Nzuri. Na wewe? Just fine and how ’bout you?

Friends from so far away, joining together
I’ll teach you my language, you teach me yours.

Hujambo, hujambo! Hello my friend, I greet you!
Hujambo, hujambo! I greet you, friend, hello!

Ni napenda wewe. I love you, I love you.
Ni napenda wewe. I love you, yes I do.

Hearts are like music, they need no translation
The colors of our skins blend in sweet harmony.

Maisha ni safi, life is sweet and life is good
Maisha ni safi, life is sweet and good.
Nashukure, I am ever grateful.
Nashukure, grateful am I.

In either language a mama’s a mama
Vijana or children, they’re all dear to me
Do you tuck yours in with a soft lala salama
Or whisper a goodnight and sleep peacefully? And a

Ni napenda wewe, I love you, I love you.
Ni napenda wewe. I love you, yes I do.

©1995 Molly Gamblin Music (BMI)

Posted in Lyrics

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