Rara is fiery-hot processional music of Haiti. Here, the narrator sees a rara band named for Saint Andrew, patron saint of the town of Lèogane. Rara draws you in like a magnet, so the guy gets on his bicycle, following it down the road. When you see a rara band, you are supposed to give it some money or some food. The narrator explains that he had given all his money to the mother of his child, and has none left to give Lera, the captain of the rara. The song celebrates the power of rara, and of Haitian music in general.
lyrics
Gade yon rara,
Sent Andre, gade yon rara, oh!
Gade yon rara,
Sent Andre, gade yon rara, oh!
Lè m tande, m monte decann,
Lè m tande, m monte decann, m’ale, woo!
Lera wo, Lera wo,
Lera wo, Lera wo,
Sekan soti’m sa-a pou’m bay maman mitit mwen
Pa gen lajan ankò pou’m ba Lera manje, woo!
Look at that rara,
St. Andrew, look at that rara, oh!
Look at that rara,
St. Andrew, look at that rara, oh!
When I heard it,
I took off on my bicycle, following it!
Oh Lera, oh Lera!
When I left, I gave money to my child’s mother;
I don’t have any left to give Lera.
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