Adios Tete

rumbaheartbreakModerate

About this song

Faya Tess sings a Tabu Ley composition of devastating farewell. She and Tete (Aimé) forged a bond since childhood — a pact sealed in blood, meant to last until death. His leaving has lost her in a fog; their story has gone cold, she's been mocked in public, and she feels her own death drawing near. "Adios — it's over, and I've taken my heart out of it, because I know it's too much to bear."

Faya Tess1980s–2000s Watch on YouTube

Verse

Adios yanga nayo esili

Adios — it's over between us

Nalongoli pe motema

and I've taken my heart out of it

Po nayebi

because I know

Eleki eh

it's too much

Verse

Tobandaki alliance

We forged an alliance

Ya ngayi nayo banda bo mwana

you and I, ever since childhood

Na yebaki te Tete

I never knew, Tete

Soki okotika nga na kati ya londende boye oh

that you'd leave me lost in such a fog

Sikoyo nga nayebi te

and now I just don't know

Ya ngayi nayo ekomi ya motako

our story has turned cold and hard

Lobela nga di tete soki okozonga oh

tell me, dear Tete, if you'll come back

Na pasi oyo nazali

for this is the pain I'm in

Verse

Tobandaki alliance

We forged an alliance

Ya ngayi nayo banda bo mwana

you and I, ever since childhood

Na yebaki te Tete

I never knew, Tete

Soki okotika nga na kati ya londende boye oh

that you'd leave me lost in such a fog

Sikoyo nga nayebi te

and now I just don't know

Ya ngayi nayo ekomi ya motako

our story has turned cold and hard

Lobela nga di tete soki okozonga oh

tell me, dear Tete, if you'll come back

Na pasi oyo nazali

for this is the pain I'm in

Chorus

Tete bolingo ekabwani eh

Tete, our love is broken

Te na liwa

until death

Ya nga nayo ya makila

ours was a bond of blood

Aimé bolingo esokwami eh

Aimé, our love has crumbled

Tala lelo

look at me today

Batsholi nga na misu ya bato

they've mocked me in front of everyone

Aimé nalela nga na nani ehh

Aimé, to whom can I cry?

Pene ya liwa

so close to death

Ya makila ekokani eh

the blood-bond is undone

Maman naloba nini na mboka eh

mama, what will I say back home?

Awa oke liwa na nga ekoki

now that you're gone, my own death is near

Chorus

Tete bolingo ekabwani eh

Tete, our love is broken

Te na liwa

until death

Ya nga nayo ya makila

ours was a bond of blood

Aimé bolingo esokwami eh

Aimé, our love has crumbled

Tala lelo

look at me today

Batsholi nga na misu ya bato

they've mocked me in front of everyone

Aimé nalela nga na nani ehh

Aimé, to whom can I cry?

Pene ya liwa

so close to death

Ya makila ekokani eh

the blood-bond is undone

Maman naloba nini na mboka eh

mama, what will I say back home?

Awa oke liwa na nga ekoki

now that you're gone, my own death is near

Bridge

Aimé bolingo esokwami eh

Aimé, our love has crumbled

Pene ya liwa

so close to death

Ya makila ekokani eh

the blood-bond is undone

Outro

Adios yanga nayo esili

Adios — it's over between us

Nalongoli pe motema

and I've taken my heart out of it

Po nayebi eleki eh

because I know it's too much