Fanm Ki Dou
This type of song is called a "conversation duet" that's usually sung between a man and a woman.
Fanm Ki Dou
Gentle Woman
Traditional Song
Traditional Song
(Saint Lucian Creole French )
(English)
(Refrain)
I di fanm, fanm ki dou
Fanm ki dou
Fanm ki dou an ti patjé kannèl mwen pòté ba ou
(Wépété)
Fanm : Doudou ki sa ou pòté ban mwen
Fanm : Doudou ki sa ou pòté ban mwen
Fanm : Doudou ki sa ou pòté ban mwen
Nonm : An ti patjé kannèl mwen pòté ba ou
(Refrain)
Nonm : Doudou ki sa ou kité ban mwen
Nonm : Doudou ki sa ou kité ban mwen
Nonm : Doudou ki sa ou kité ban mwen
Fanm : An ti kwè kolé mwen kite ba ou
(Refrain)
Fanm : Doudou ki sa ou achté ban mwen
Fanm : Doudou ki sa ou achté ban mwen
Fanm : Doudou ki sa ou achté ban mwen
Nonm : An ti stèpin wòz mwen achté ba ou
(Refrain)
Nonm : Doudou ki sa ou kité ban mwen
Nonm : Doudou ki sa ou kité ban mwen
Nonm : Doudou ki sa ou kité ban mwen
Fanm : An patat chofé mwen kité ba ou
(Refrain)
Nonm : Doudou ki moun ki chofé'y ba ou
Nonm : Doudou ki moun ki chofé'y ba ou
Nonm : Doudou ki moun ki chofé'y ba ou
Fanm : An misyé Tisson ki chofé'y ban mwen
(Refrain)
(Chorus)
He said, woman, gentle woman,
Gentle woman,
Gentle woman, a small pack of cinnamon I bring you.
(Repeat)
Ladies: Sweetie what do you bring me?
Ladies: Sweetie what do you bring me?
Ladies: Sweetie what do you bring me?
Men: A small pack of cinnamon I bring you.
(Chorus)
Men: Sweetie, what did you leave me?
Men: Sweetie, what did you leave me?
Men: Sweetie, what did you leave me?
Ladies: A little bit of sticky porridge I left for you.
(Chorus)
Ladies: Sweetie what did you buy me?
Ladies: Sweetie what did you buy me?
Ladies: Sweetie what did you buy me?
Men: Small pink underwear I bought for you.
(Chorus)
Men: Sweetie what did you leave me?
Men: Sweetie what did you leave me?
Men: Sweetie what did you leave me?
Ladies: A heated up sweet potato I left for you.
(Chorus)
Men: Sweetie who heated it up for you
Men: Sweetie who heated it up for you
Men: Sweetie who heated it up for you
Ladies: A Mr. Tisson heated it up for me.
(Chorus)
Notes
Kurleen Gorge Laplanche wrote, "I am a St. Lucian, and I grew up singing/hearing the song 'Fenm ki Dou'. The word 'Kwèkolé' is actually two words. 'Kwèm' and 'kolé'. 'Kwèm' is porridge and 'kolé' means sticky or glue. So, 'Kwèm kolé' is sticky porridge. 'Stèpin wòz' does mean pink female undies. 'Stèpin' is the word my grandmother would use for underwear. I just discovered your website and was very happy to see a song from my island on there."
Thanks!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Kwéyòl Sent Lisi (a site about Saint Lucian Creole) and also Kurleen Gorge Laplanche for help with some terms in this song!
Image: St. Lucia - Arawak Native
Mèsi !
