rhinobear

I'm from Iceland and this Icelandic band Todmobile has a song called "Voodooman". There are three spoken paragraphs in French which I don't really understand. I believe it relates to voodoo in some way. Anyway, here are the French lines:


"Ayida Queddo, ou couleuvre moins!
Qui lé ou Filer ou cou z'éclai!

Le jour, oú tu seras ma maîtresse,
tu deviendras ma Femme!

Je sais tout.
Je peux tout.
Je comprends tout!"


I did some research and I believe Ayida Queddo is another name for Ayida-Weddo, the partner goddess of the main voodoo god, Damballah. "Couleuvre" I know means serpent, but it's taken from the voodoo term "kulve", which refers to a non-poisonous serpent symbolic for Ayida Queddo and Damballah.
I also know the last three lines mean:
"I know everything.
I can do everything.
I understand everything!"
And the middle verse is something like: "The day you'll become my mistress, you'll become my wife!"

Mostly, though, I'm stumped. Can someone translate these lyrics for me? Thanks a lot!

The_FD

Hi rhinobear

Well I am french and here is what I can tell you

"Ayida Queddo, ou couleuvre moins!
Qui lé ou Filer ou cou z'éclai!"
hmmm despite there are a couple of french words in there, these sentences are not french and I cannot get the meaning.
though I can tell you that couleuvre does not mean serpent but is the name of a non-poisonous serpent

Je sais tout.
Je peux tout.
Je comprends tout!"
You got it right

Le jour, oú tu seras ma maîtresse,
tu deviendras ma Femme!
your translatoin is right, though mistress shall be understood as "non official wife" or "lover"

hope all that makes sense to you ... do not hesitate in case you have some questions

__________________
L'histoire de la famille Bourdillon
Les fêtes d'Hébé
The flying dancer dancing

jackspeese

Hi FD,
The words you don't understand are in Creole (albeit written in an older, unofficial style which I had to read aloud to get), and they say:

Aida Ouedo you are my serpent!
when you court me/flirt with me you are like lightning!

According to the modern grammar and spelling, it should be written:
Ayida Wedo ou koulèv-mwen!
Ki lè ou file ou kou zeklè!

According to voodoo, it is possible for a devotee to marry or have a relationship with a spirit (lwa, zanj in Creole) such as Aida Ouedo.

The_FD

Hi Jack

thanks for you explanation... I should have guessed for creole, despite I cannot speak I have some basic knowledge

talk to you soon

__________________
L'histoire de la famille Bourdillon
Les fêtes d'Hébé
The flying dancer dancing

rhinobear

Thanks a lot for quenching my curiosity, guys!

Just in case you're interested, and if it helps you understand the whole context, here are the complete lyrics, the Icelandic parts translated by me, and thus in English:

Voodooman

Ayida Queddo, ou couleuvre moins!
Qui lé ou Filer ou cou z'éclai!

Le jour, oú tu seras ma maîtresse,
tu deviendras ma Femme!

Je sais tout.
Je peux tout.
Je comprends tout!

Out of your eyes tongues of flame
that lock into - lock into my mind
Out of your mouth mighty words
that say it all - say it all - fate (itself)

I know you can do anything
I know you understand everything
'cause you're my hero
and I'm your doll
and since you can do anything
and since you understand everything
you may own me,
voodooman.

I can sneak into your palm
and you will not lose me - will not lose me - not you
And if the fairytales threaten me
then you'll create new ones - create new ones - here and now

I know you can do anything...

You are invincible
(You) conquer all just for me
'cause you are my hero
Voodooman