Le Lion rouge

Le Lion rouge

English: The Red Lion
National anthem of Senegal
Also known as	"Pincez tous vos koras, frappez les balafons" (English: "Everyone strum your koras, strike the balafons")
Lyrics	Léopold Sédar Senghor, 1960
Music	Herbert Pepper, 1960
Adopted	1960
Audio sample
U.S. Navy Band instrumental version (one verse and chorus) file help

"Le Lion rouge" (English: "The Red Lion"), more commonly known by its incipit "Pincez tous vos koras, frappez les balafons" (English: "Everyone strum your koras, strike the balafons") is the national anthem of Senegal. It was adopted in 1960.

Development

The lyrics were written by Léopold Sédar Senghor, Senegal's first president, while the music is composed by Frenchman Herbert Pepper, who also composed the national anthem of the Central African Republic, "La Renaissance". The kora (a type of harp) and balafon (wooden xylophone) are traditional Senegalese musical instruments.

Lyrics

French	Wolof	English translation
Pincez tous vos koras, frappez les balafons ! Le lion rouge a rugi – le dompteur de la brousse. D'un bond s'est élancé, dissipant les ténèbres. Soleil sur nos terreurs, soleil sur notre espoir. Debout, frères, voici l'Afrique rassemblée ! Fibres de mon cœur vert. Épaule contre épaule, mes plus que frères, O Sénégalais, debout ! Unissons la mer et les sources, unissons la steppe et la forêt ! Salut Afrique mère !	Yëngël len koora yii, ndënd yeek balafoŋ yi! Gayndék sibi ñaare na ki jafé ca àll ba Jugléen mélni kuy naaw dólli xàjji lëndëm gi Feeñal njaxare yi leeral suñu yaakaar Taxawleen doomi nday, Afrika dajéna Yéenay sama buumi xol na mbàgg yi tóllo Ma doomi nday, yéen wa Senegaal jugleen Ñu boole géej gi ak ndox mi bàll Te boole ñaay bi ak àll bi Sargal Afrik suňu yaay!	Everyone strum your koras, strike the balafons! The red lion has roared – the tamer of the savanna. With a leap it rushed forward, dispelling the darkness. The sun shines on our terrors, the sun shines on our hope. Stand up, brothers, for Africa has gathered here! Fibers of my green heart. Shoulder to shoulder, my more-than-brothers, O Senegalese, arise! Let us unite the sea and the springs, let us unite the steppes and the forest! Hail Mother Africa!

External links

• Senegal: Pincez Tous vos Koras, Frappez les Balafons - Audio of the national anthem of Senegal, with information and lyrics