Arlo Guthrie - Guabi Guabi (with Translation) video free download
This African folksong is about a young man who wants to bring sweets, buns, bananas to his sweetheart. There is a loose translation below. Arlo Guthrie sings, "Guabi Guabi" on his ninth album released in 1976, "Amigo". I hope you enjoy!
Translation & information for "Guabi Guabi" from http:\\www.arlo.net:
It's a Zulu children's song with a wonderful melody and addictive guitar fingerpicking, and was taken from the singing and playing of guitarist George Sibanda(2). It can be found on an album put out by Decca called Guitars of Africa.
The song is about someone who teases his girlfriend by holding something behind his back and saying, "Guess what I've got." It's an interesting mix of Zulu and French expressions, and this English transliteration and translation is from Andrew Tracy of the African Music Society thanks to the guitar tutorials of Happy Traum (who put out a book with the tablature for Guabi Guabi):
"Guabi, Guabi, guzwangle notamb yami,
(Hear, Guabi, Guabi, I have a girlfriend)
Ihlale nkamben', shu'ngyamtanda
(She lives at Nkamben, sure I love her)
Ngizamtenge la mabanzi, iziwichi le banana."
(I will buy her buns, sweets, and bananas.)
Personnel:
Russ Kunkel - drums, percussion
Waddy Wachtel
Bob Glaub - bass
Jai Winding - keyboards
Gayle Levant - harp
Nick DeCaro - accordion
Arlo Guthrie - vocals
Leah Kunkel - vocals, electric piano
John Pilla - vocals
Billy Green - guitar
Rick Jaeger - drums
Also: Linda Rondstat and Milt Holland as Special Guests
Comments
9 years ago
M Doc
My 12th grade European Lit teacher played this for our class. Why he did this I don't remember. 30 years later and I can still recall the lyrics. Great song. Great memories. Thanks for posting.10 years ago
Joshua Lambert
Good morning, everyone! Here's a nice, upbeat song to get the day started on a positive note.11 years ago
Azizi Powell
Also, I didn't publish that cultural post or write these comments seeking sympathy. I took those actions as a means of sharing my opinion. That said, I want to make clear that I'm not calling Arlo Guthrie a racist (not that he would care if I did so or not). I'm older than you (not that that matters either) & I believe that a person can do or think something racist and he or she and others can learn from discussion about that racist act or thought.11 years ago
Azizi Powell
You're welcome, MyMoppet52. You will notice that in my comments I separated the musicality of Guthrie's performances from his tall tale introduction and comments within some performances of "Gwabi Gwabi". And I will note, as I'm sure you know, there are huge differences between telling tall tale stories about bears and wild dogs and telling tall tale stories about a Black African which depict that African as stupid and the victim of police brutality during the apartheid regime or not.11 years ago
MyMoppet52
I know one of the most famous singers is from Ndebele, but appreciate your info on this also. I will make changes as needed. I need all the help I can get! Thank you. I must say, I enjoyed the research for this video. I found so many wonderful receipes for some of the "treats" the young gentleman is offering his sweetheart. I hope to try some soon! Thanks for your compliment on the slideshow. I tried to find photos which truly represent the great cultures,peoples, & art of many African nations.11 years ago
MyMoppet52
continued... He could go on for days. I guess that is why I like Arlo's stories. I take them as tall tales, and as with Reuben Clamzo especially, you can see how it IS a tall tale. I do apologize for how it made you feel. I am sorry you feel it is racist. I will look up the article you mentioned. You are speaking to someone who has been in love with Arlo Guthrie since I was 14 & I am now 61. I have loved his stories...Thank you so very much for commenting and showing a different side, Moppet11 years ago
MyMoppet52
I appreciate you leaving your comment. I will look up the info that you mention. I can also understand many peoples concerns on racism and other prejudices. (I have concerns of my own.) I will say that Arlo is Arlo. If you listen to Reuben Clamzo, you can see his thinking. (perhaps you have listened.) He is like his uncle, Hoyt Axton. He is a tall-tale, storyteller in the old fashioned sense. I remember my great grandpa had some good stories about bears and wild dogs in the mountains...11 years ago
Azizi Powell
I appreciate the musicality of Guthrie's performances of "Gwabi Gwabi" (which is the actual spelling of this song). I also appreciate the photo slide that is found with this recording. But as an African American, I DON'T find Arlo Guthrie's tall tales in the introduction of some of his "Guabi Guabi" songs amusing. I consider them to be racist. I explain why I reached that conclusion in my post about this song. Google Pancocojams The REAL Meaning of The Song "Gwabi Gwabi" (Guabi Guabi).11 years ago
Azizi Powell
In other videos or sound files of this song, several Africans have indicated that the language in this song is not Zulu but Ndebele .11 years ago
MyMoppet52
Thank you so much for leaving a comment! I've been out of commission so I'm running a bit late. I love Arlo & love this song. So glad you found it here. If you do like Arlo, you can see all of my videos by typing his name on my Channel Page in top rt "Search Channel" area. I tag artists, genres (blues, bluegrass, Native American, mountain music, Celtic, Civil War era +), instruments even. It's a fun way to play around w/music. Thanks again & appreciate your comment! My best, Moppet11 years ago
RR Motorsport
one of the good old songs, love it!!!11 years ago
MyMoppet52
It's supposed to be Zulu. I am taking that on faith, since I don't speak Zulu. Thanks for listening and giving me a "Swedish" comment! I like to listen to this ... I start smiling, moving my feet, and dancing. Without even knowing it! That is a good song, when that happens. So good to have you visit. My best to you, MoppetRelated Videos
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