Literally, the song is about the illness and death of a man named Soley. But Soley means “sun” in Creole, and the song can be interpreted metaphorically. In the L’Artibonite valley of Haiti, the Sun is sick: there is no energy, and people are losing hope. A bòkò, or healer, is called, and arrives to take care of the situation. The Sun cannot die.
lyrics
“Latibonit”
(Traditional, from the Artibonite region)
Latibonit, oh,
Yo voye rele mwen, yo di m Soley malad!
Latibonit, oh,
Yo voye rele mwen, yo di m Soley malad!
Lè mwen rive mwen jwem Soley couche!
Lè mwen parèt mwen jwem Soley mouri, wo!
Sa se dè regrè, wo,
Pou’m antere Soley.
Oh, L’Artibonite,
They called me and said Soley is sick!
Oh, L’Artibonite,
They called me and said Soley is sick!
When I arrived, Soley was lying down,
When I got there, Soley was dead.
It is awful, oh,
For me to bury Soley.
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