About this song
Dr Nico turns the guitar to nation-building. Newly independent, the young people gather and call on their elders to join them: building Congo is the people's power, so let the leaders listen. The roll-call rings out to every corner of society — parliament, builders, office clerks, traders, musicians, Lovanium University, down to primary school — because this beautiful country belongs to them all.
Biso bana mikie
We, the young ones
To sangani lelo
have come together today
Tolobi ete tika to bongisa
we've resolved: let us build
To luka lisanga ya ba yaya na biso ba kolo
we seek to join with our elders
Batu ya conseil oye
people of counsel, oye
Population ya Congo
people of Congo
Jeunesse nationale, basengi lelo po ba bongisa
the nation's youth ask today to build
Ko bongisa Congo ezali nguya ya population, ba konzi bayoka na matoyi
building Congo is the people's power — let the leaders lend an ear
Kobongisa mboka eponi mutu te
building the nation excludes no one
Mutu nioso namosala
everyone to work
Tozwa lipanda
we've won independence
Tobongisa pe yango
now let's build it up too
Biso bana mikie
We, the young ones
To sangani lelo
have come together today
Tolobi ete tika to bongisa
we've resolved: let us build
To luka lisanga ya ba yaya na biso ba kolo
we seek to join with our elders
Batu ya conseil oye
people of counsel, oye
Population ya Congo
people of Congo
Jeunesse nationale, basengi lelo po ba bongisa
the nation's youth ask today to build
Ko bongisa Congo ezali nguya ya population, ba konzi bayoka na matoyi
building Congo is the people's power — let the leaders lend an ear
Batu ya Congo oye
People of Congo, oye
Batu ya Congo oye
People of Congo, oye
Batu ya Congo oye, muana congo
People of Congo, oye — child of Congo
Batu ya Congo oye, yoka lelo
People of Congo, oye — hear this today
Batu ya Congo oye, ba parlementaires
People of Congo, oye — you in parliament
Batu ya Congo oye, bino macons
People of Congo, oye — you builders
Batu ya Congo oye, Kalaka na bureau
People of Congo, oye — you clerks in the office
Batu ya Congo oye, Bongisa mboka oh
People of Congo, oye — build the nation
Batu ya Congo oye, bino commercants
People of Congo, oye — you traders
Batu ya Congo oye, Ba musiciens
People of Congo, oye — you musicians
Batu ya Congo oye, Uni Lovanium
People of Congo, oye — Lovanium University
Batu ya Congo oye, te na primaire
People of Congo, oye — down to primary school
Yeba
know it
Oyo mboka kitoko
this is a beautiful country
Congo
Congo
Batu ya Congo oye
People of Congo, oye
Batu ya Congo oye, muana congo
People of Congo, oye — child of Congo
Batu ya Congo oye, yoka lelo
People of Congo, oye — hear this today
Batu ya Congo oye, ba parlementaires
People of Congo, oye — you in parliament
Batu ya Congo oye, bino macons
People of Congo, oye — you builders
Batu ya Congo oye, Kalaka na bureau
People of Congo, oye — you clerks in the office
Batu ya Congo oye, Bongisa mboka oh
People of Congo, oye — build the nation
Batu ya Congo oye, bino commercants
People of Congo, oye — you traders
Batu ya Congo oye, Ba musiciens
People of Congo, oye — you musicians
Batu ya Congo oye, Uni Lovanium
People of Congo, oye — Lovanium University
Batu ya Congo oye, te na primaire
People of Congo, oye — down to primary school
Batu ya Congo oye, muana Congo
People of Congo, oye — child of Congo
Batu ya Congo oye, bongisa mboka oh
People of Congo, oye — build the nation
Batu ya Congo oye
People of Congo, oye