The album ‘Amame’, produced by the Norwegian jazz artist Bugge Wesseltoft shows a different and more mature Mari Boine, accompanied by Wesseltoft’s tender and responsive piano playing. Songs with seriousness and depth, sung by Mari Boine tells stories about love, human vulnerability, injustice, and struggle, but also about pride and dignity.
- Amame jávkat – So We Don’t Fade
- Alit alihastá aliha – Blue Shines the Blue
- Don oidnet mu sielu – You Saw My Soul
- Elle
- Čiŋadan gahpiriin – My Head Holds High the Horned Hat
- Eadnán bákti – To Woman
- If Tomorrow’s Mine
- Mihá – I Stand Tall
- Jearrat biekkas – To Ask the Wind
- Leat go don dies – Will You Be There
- Mu oappá niegus – In My Sister’s Dream
amame
AMAME JÁVKAT
Sánit & Nuohtta: Mari Boine
Beallevahágis
deaivvadeimme moai
ledjen vuot ain olles leavttuin
duohkot deike huššamin
mášohisvuođainan
duohkot deike doapmamin
ja maid ohcamin
die dien báikái čákŋalit
juoga čurvii mu
die dien guvllui
guovllastit
nu mu háste
Hámálaš nu imašlaš
amas oahpis don
hámálaš nu imašlaš
nu don ledjet
gosa árpmuid mannet don
manne it oidno šat
gosa árpmuid jávket don
it šat gullo
Beallevahágis
deaivvadeimme moai
ledjen vuot ain olles leavttuin
duohkot deike huššamin
mášohisvuođainan
duohkot deike huššamin
ja maid ohcamin
die dien báikái čákŋalit
juoga čurvii mu
die dien guvllui
guovllastit
nu mu háste
Hámálaš ja nu imašlaš
amas oahpis don
hámálaš nu imašlaš
nu ledjet don
gosa árpmuid jávket don
manne it oidno šat
gosa árpmuid mannet don
in šat gula du
sowe
SO WE DON’T FADE
Lyrics & Music: Mari Boine
By quasi-coincidence, we met
I was, as usual restless
Looking headlong
Here and there
For what I do not need
Forever seeking
Something beckoned me
Into that place
Something called me
To turn in that direction
So fine, so astonishingly familiar
You came, a stranger
So fine, so familiar
That’s what you were
Where did you go
Why can’t I see you
Why did you vanish
I can’t hear you
By quasi-coincidence, we met
I was, as usual restless
Looking headlong
Here and there
For what I do not need
Forever seeking
Something beckoned me
Into that place
Something called me there
To turn in that direction
So fine, so astonishingly familiar
You came, a stranger
So fine, so familiar
That’s what you were
Where did you go
Why did you vanish
There is no sound of you
Anymore
alit
ALIT ALIHASTÁ ALIHA
Sánit: Karen Ánne Buljo
Nuohtta: Mari Boine
Gul, unna lottáš, gula
eallima ealli ealu bielloskála
ruoná rieggá riggodaga
gea, unna lottáš, gea
muohtačalmmiid miesážiid
Boađe unna lottáš, boađe
sielu sojiid sárgojumiide
ruoná rieggái riggodahkan
girdde, unna lottáš, girdde
alit alihastá aliha
Ále vel mana, lottážan
oro vel oanehažžat, leage lahka su
ále vel mana, unna lottáš
oro vel oanehaš su dajahusas
alit alihastá aliha
alit alihastá aliha
blue
BLUE SHINES THE BLUE
Lyrics: Karen Ánne Buljo
Music: Mari Boine
Listen, little bird, listen:
Tintinnabulations of flowing life
Abundant green wheel
Look, little bird, look
White sky, calving snow eyes
Come, little bird, come
Into soul trees’ articulations
The enlivening green wheel
Fly, little bird, fly
Blue shines the blue
Don’t go yet, little bird
Stay near her another moment
Rest, little bird, rest
In her whispers, her dance, her breath
Blue shines the blue
Blue shines the blue
don
DON OIDNET MU SIELU
Sánit: Rose Marie Huuva
Nuohtta: Mari Boine
Mun in duosttan
du dovdilis gieđaid njávkkadit
govvidit
dovddiidit
don oidnet mu sielu
Mun in duosttan
du dovdilis gieđaid njávkkadit
govvidit
dovddiidit
govvidit
dovddiidit
in duosttan
don oidnet mu sielu
Mun ballájin go himudolla munno bullehii
ballájin dolvvohallat
iežan dovdduide
jos eallima johttin mu doalvu du lahkosii
ja don dovddat mu lagašvuođa
dego uvjalitna biekka nirrii
siđan dus ále daga diehttin
yousaw
YOU SAW MY SOUL
Lyrics/sánit: Mari Boine
Music/nuohtta: Mari Boine
I didn’t dare
To hold your exquisite hands
I didn’t dare
To feel any more
You saw into my soul
I didn’t dare
To imagine any more
I ran, a frightened deer
Afraid of the flame
You saw into my soul
I didn’t dare
To hold your exquisite hands
Afraid of being consumed
Should life bring me close to you again
If you sense my presence
Like a feather on the wind
Pay it no mind
elle
ELLE
Sánit: Rawdna Carita Eira
Nuohtta: Mari Boine
De rahpasii giđđaeatnu fas
de dulvvi miel luoittašeimme
jiekŋaidja fertii viimmat vuollánit
De girdilin biellocizážiin
de joradin guovssahasain
vuoibmás vuoiŋŋahagas šogadeimme ovttas
mu bieggabártnážan
De rahtase jienaheamit fas
de golggiihii sátnerávdnji
gálbmon gáttiin go mii viimmat gávnnadeimmet
mu bieggabártnážan
Go váccašat ealloravddas de
go guođohat suhkesoivviid
almmiravda ealáska ja sugada
mu bieggabártnážan
elle
ELLE
Lyrics: Rawdna Carita Eira
Music: Mari Boine
So the spring river is open again
We let ourselves enter its flow
Long nights of ice finally over
My dearest son of the wind
Surely I fly with the bluethroat
Surely I dance the Aurora
A powerful breath we exhale as one
My dearest son of the wind
Like the ice our silence breaks open
Words flow over the frozen ground
When at last we gather by the shore
My dearest son of the wind
As you walk with the reindeer
Among their tall, branching antlers
The entire sky is moving, alive
My dearest son of the wind
cinadan
ČIŊADAN GAHPIRIIN
Sánit: Kerttu Vuolab, Mari Boine
Nuohtta: Mari Boine
Čiŋadan gahpiriin,
maid fuolkán duddjon lea
mun máttaráhku hápmái
fas gárvodan ođasin
dál bajidat ládjogahpira
midjiide kruvdnun
maid dolin eai udnon
Hervvošat gahpira
mii Golle-Gádjá lei
nu čáppisin kruvnnidan
ja geallun bajidan
máttaráhkkumet
áŋgirvuohta
ain doarju bargat
iešráđálažžan min
Doai láiddesteidde min
de jávkan gáldu lei
fas buhtes čáhcin gávdnon
dat ođasmahttá min
čihkkon ártnaid dat máhcaha
iežamet gáhttet árbámet várjalit
hat
MY HEAD HOLDS HIGH THE HORNED HAT
Lyrics: Kerttu Vuolab, Mari Boine
Music: Mari Boine
I stand tall in the Sámi hat
That my sister sewed for me
A copy of our matriarch’s
Strength flows from each seam
My head holds high the horned hat
In defense of all who are small
Its power once forbidden
To our women in the old days
We admire the ladjogahpir
That once crowned Golle-Gádjá
That exalted her grandeur
Her strong will, a torch
Informing our own paths
Sisters lead the way
To the hidden spring
Where clear water flows
Refreshes our spirits
Returns long-buried seeds
Our heritage, life source
We will nurture and protect
eadnan
EADNÁN BÁKTI
Sánit: Kerttu Vuolab
Nuohtta: Mari Boine
Eadnán bákti
ja mearra
ja albmi don leat
seamma nanus ja njuovžil
ja geahpas go dat
áiggiid čađa
du dedde
ja jaskkodit ge
muhto ieš eallin bealuštii
du čuožžilit
de luohte don lieđđi leat
Eatnigiella mus čuodjá
du sátnin
don mus
ádden sániid
dat čudjet
ja gulan du mus
It leat fáŋga
it bálvá
it ráiggiid duokŋas
dus maid lohppi lea dárbbašit jeđđehusa
go ollu dus gáibidan leat
Dat du futnot
go dihtet
don vuoigadis leat
vearridaguid
sii čihket
ja giellásiid
buot
don leat áhkku
leat oabbá
leat nissonolmmoš
danin dus ballet
go eallin
du bealde
lea
girdde
don loddi maid leat
ja luohte don lieđđi leat
towoman
TO WOMAN
Lyrics: Kerttu Vuolab
Music: Mari Boine
Like a mountain
Like the ocean
Like the heavens, you are
Just as majestic
As mobile and light
They held you down for a long time
And kept you silent
But life itself is on your side
Helps you rise
Like a flower, you are
Our mother’s tongue echoes in me
As your words
Bringing understanding
They sing in me
You are no prisoner
Nobody’s servant
You are not lesser than
You, too, deserve consolation
When so much is demanded of you
They still gaslight you
Because they know your honesty
Their crimes to hide
With lies
You are grandmother
Mother
Sister
Woman
They fear you, for they know
You have life on your side
Fly like the bird you are
Trust you are a flower
tomorrow
IF TOMORROW’S MINE
Lyrics/sánit: Donna Williams
Music/nuohtta: Mari Boine, Haakon-Marius Pettersen
When the wind blows and the rain falls
Is it the tears and the howling of lost souls
Is there nobody who hears
The silent call
From deep inside
Where you ran to hide
High steel walls and broken glass
In the big black nothing, there is no time past
The face that they made you wear is a plastic mask
Your coffin’s sealed
For they think it’s real
Your coffin’s sealed
For they think it’s real
There’s an earthquake going on, behind the wall
And the face in the street doesn’t care at all
For in the world of image, you don’t look so small
And you wonder why
They just walk on by
And you wonder why
They just walk on by
And you wonder why
They just walk on by
From the place in the shadow where the light shines through
You will find me
In that place in your mind that gets a glimpse or two
You will fly
In a world of your own, you’re not alone
When you’re lonely
Tear down the walls that you built
Leave that prison cell behind
miha
MIHÁ
Sánit: Stian Soli translated to Sámi by Rawdna Carita Eira, Mari Boine
Nuohtta: Stian Soli, Mari Boine, Joik theme by Elin Kåven
Seavdnjadeamos seavdnjadii,
čiekŋaleamos bákčasii
gos doaivva, vuoigŋa dihtton ii
die diesa riegádin mun
Go čurvon heađis, holvo sii
seaktin dolvo mu máisttašit
máná sielu gaikkodit
sálvin nannosit eallimii
Mu váibmu coahkká ja vuoiŋŋan ain
vujohahkii deddojuvvon muh’ lean ain dás
čalmmát
bahá čalbmái
mun ealán, dás bisun – mihán
Váhnen mahkáš – nu behtolaš
sávan gáđohus vástida
go don ja valvát ollebeht’
ošoše dolat njuokčamiin
Ja don gii oskkus sárdnidat
ándagassii addima deattuhat
ipmil go lei gii guđii mu
oarbbisin seavdnjadassii nie
Mu váibmu coahkká ja vuoiŋŋan ain
vujohahkii deddojuvvun muh’ lean ain dás
čalmmát bahá čalbmái
mun ealán, dás bisun – mihán
Seavdnjadeamos seavdnjadii
čiekŋaleamos bákčasii
gos doaivva, vuoigŋa dihtton ii
die diesa riegádin mun
stand
I STAND TALL
Lyrics: Stian Soli translated to Sámi by Rawdna Carita Eira, Mari Boine
Music: Stian Soli, Mari Boine, Joik theme by Elin Kåven
Into the darkest dark
Into the deepest pain
Where all hope disappears
Into this I was born
When I cried for help
They only brayed
Grabbed at easy prey
Took my childhood away
But I clung to life
My heart still beats
And I still breathe
They couldn’t drown me
In the sinking moor
I’m still here
Face to face with the evil eye
I am alive
I’m walking tall – mihá
The caring parent
You were meant to be
You betrayed
May your hell welcome you
And your slavering pack with flames
Swallow you all
To those who preach of grace
When does forgiveness give permission
What kind of god bows down to men
And abandons children?
My heart still beats
And I still breathe
They couldn’t drown me
In the sinking moor
I’m still here
Face to face with the evil eye
I am alive
I’m walking tall – mihá
Into the darkest dark
Into the deepest pain
Where all hope disappears
Into this I was born
jearrat
JEARRAT BIEKKAS
Sánit: Nils Aslak Valkeapää
Music: Mari Boine, The Wind’s Joik by Nils Aslak Valkeapää
Jearrat biekkas manin dat bossu
jearrat manin jogat golget
jearrat biekkas manin lasttat gahččet
manin geassi
manin skábma
Iige gullo earágo biegga šuvvá
Iige gullo go biekka šuvvan
Iige gullo earágo biegga šuvvá
Iige gullo go biekka šuvvan
Čalmmiid meaddil
oainnuid ráidu
eallima vuosttaš suoibo lávkkit
unna suorbmažat láibume eatni čiččiid
vuosttaš bánit
vuosttaš sánit
rávis olmmožin rahpaseapmi
oaidnit šat earágo olles agi fuola
ja sii geat eai šat vájalge earágo muittus
ievttás máilmmi jávkan guolbaniid
Iige gullo earágo biegga šuvvá
Iige gullo go biekka šuvvan
Jearrat biekkas manin dat bossu
jearrat manin lottit girdet
jearrat biekkas manin lasttat gahččet
manin geassi
manin skábma
Iige gullo earágo biegga šuvvá
Iige gullo go biekka šuvvan
Iige gullo earágo biegga šuvvá
Iige gullo go biekka šuvvan
wind
TO ASK THE WIND
Lyrics: Nils Aslak Valkeapää
Music: Mari Boine, The Wind’s Joik by Nils Aslak Valkeapää
To ask the wind
Why it blows
Why the stream flows
Why the leaves fall
Why the summer
Why the dark time, skábma
The answer you get is the wind
All you hear is its whisper
The answer you get is the wind
All you hear is its sighs
In your mind’s eye
Visions cascade
Life’s first wavering steps
Small fingers caress
Mother’s soft breasts
First teeth
First words
Soon maturity’s burdens
Leaden cares and memories tell
Of all that is gone to yesterday
The answer you get is the wind
All you hear is its whisper
To ask the wind
Why it blows
Why the stream flows
Why do leaves fall
Why the summer
Why the dark time, skábma
The answer you get is the wind
All you hear is its whisper
The answer you get is the wind
All you hear is its sigh
dies
LEAT GO DON DIES
Sánit & Nuohtta: Mari Boine
Leat go don dies
jos mu juolggit eai šat guotte
leat go don dies
jus máilbmi munnje jorgala sealggi
Livččet go don dás
jos in máhte šat in maidige
livččet go ain dás
go buohkat munnje jorgalivčče sealggi
Oainnan du dás
dalle mánnán go dii leiddet olles čora
váillahan din
dás okto čohkkán geahčan glása ráigge
there
WILL YOU BE THERE
Lyrics & Music: Mari Boine
Will you be there
If my feet can’t carry me
Will you be there
If the crowds no longer cheer
Will you be there
If I no longer know
Up from down on anything
If the whole world turns its back
In my mind’s eye I see you, child
So much life around me
Here alone, I miss you all
Gazing out the window
mu
MU OAPPÁ NIEGUS
Sánit: Mari Boine
Nuohtta: Bugge Wesseltoft, Mari Boine
Buotveagalaš jávoheapmi
buotveagalaš jávoheapmi
buotveagalaš jávoheapmi
Leago áigi čierrut
nu galbmasat ja čábbá dát várit
leago áigi čierrut
Duosttan go
nagodan go
duosttan go
nagodan go
duosttan go
nagodan go
duosttan go
nagodan go
joavddan go
nákcen go
joavddan go
nákcen go
duosttan go
nagodan go
galgabehtet čierrut
logai son
mu oappá niegus
Gallii galggan vázzit ovddas maŋás
gallii galggan vázzit ovddas maŋás
ovdalgo muitán maid mun áigojin
ovdalgo muitán maid mun áigojin
Heajomus
rašimus eallimin
heajomus
rašimus eallimin
gullot gohčodeamin luottaidat
gullot gohčodeamin luottaidat
ja diet nubbi fas bođii dien donbeaivve nuohtain
mii manai njuolgga váibmui
mii manai njuolgga váibmui
ja juoga dego leahkkasii
gosa hearráíd
váldibeahtti mu
dream
IN MY SISTER’S DREAM
Lyrics: Mari Boine
Music: Bugge Wesseltoft, Mari Boine
Oh Mighty Silent one
Mighty Silent one
Is it time to cry
These mountains are beautiful
but oh, so cold
Is it time to let my tears flow
Do I dare
Am I strong enough
Do I dare
Am I strong enough
Do I dare
Am I strong enough
Do I dare
Am I strong enough
Will I get there
Am I ready
Will I get there
Am I ready
Do I have the courage
Am I strong enough
Can I bear it now
Remember to let go
Of the tears of grief
Said he
Visiting my sister’s dream
How long must I go back and forth
Before I recall what I was going to do
How long must I go back and forth
Before I recall what I was going to do
The most fragile
Most vulnerable life
The most fragile
Most vulnerable life
I hear you named your own path
I hear you named your own path
And the other one brought me Tomorrow’s Song
It pierced my heart
It pierced me
And something broke open inside
Where on earth
Are you taking me now?
English lyrics translations by Julie Whitehorn
Eangalasgillii jorgalii: Julie Whitehorn
