Batoma - Amadou & Mariam

Batoma, your child is crying

Come take him

We sing.

We dance.

We shake.

We get a move on.

Me, I don’t give a damn!

Batoma, your baby cries, Batoma

Batoma, everyone asks you, Batoma

Batoma, everyone calls you, Batoma

Batoma, your baby cries, Batoma

Me, I don’t give a damn.

If the child is crying,

Give him your milk.

If the namesake of my father is crying,

Give him your milk.

If the namesake of my mother is crying,

Give her your milk.

If the namesake of my grandfather is crying,

Give him your milk.

If the namesake of my father-in-law is crying,

Give him your milk.

If the namesake of Baguayogo is crying,

Give him your milk.

We sing.

We dance.

We shake.

We get a move on.

Me, I don’t give a damn!

And if the namesake of the grandfather is crying?

Let him cry until he’s blue in the face.

Me, I don’t give a damn.

And if the namesake of the grandmother is crying?

Let her cry until she’s blue in the face?

Me, I don’t give a damn.

And if the namesake of the nasty father-in-law is crying?

Let him cry until he’s blue in the face.

Me, I don’t give a damn.

And if the namesake of the nasty brother-in-law is crying?

Let him cry until he’s blue in the face.

Me, I don’t give a damn.

And if the namesake of the nasty wife of the polygamist is crying.

Let her cry until she’s blue in the face.

Me, I don’t give a damn.

Batoma, your child is crying.

Come take him.

We sing.

We dance.

We shake.

We get a move on.

Me, I don’t give a damn!

If the children are crying

Carry them on your backs

If the children are crying

Keep them quiet

If the children are crying

Take care of them

Tjou!

Tjou!

Tjou!

Give him your milk

Tjou!

Tjou!

Tjou!

Carry him on your back…