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"A di mi yere yu friyari" is a very popular birthday song in Surinam. The lyrics are in the Surinam language of Sranan Tongo. The song consists of only two verses of which either the first or both can be sung. Kids like to shout "hachoo" (an onomatopoeia of a sneeze) after the first verse just because it rhymes.

The tune is most famously used in "The Battle Hymn of the Republic", a hymn from the American civil war, better known for its refrain "Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!".

History

The origin of the lyrics of "A di mi yere yu friyari" are unknown. The origin of the tune can be traced back to the song "John Brown's Body" from mid nineteenth century United States but its roots could go back further. Cited as possible furhter origins are to, among others, a "Negro folk song"^[1] or an African-American wedding song from Georgia^[2].

Lyrics

"A di mi yere yu friyari"

A di mi yere yu friyari

A di mi yere yu friyari, dan mi kon fersteri yu.

A no fu yu kuku, ano fu yu sopi

A no fu yu kuku, ano fu yu sopi, ma mi kon fersteri yu.

"A di mi yere yu friyari" (English translation)

Because I heard it is your birthday

Because I heard it is your birthday, I have come to congratulate you.

Not for your cake, not for your drinks

Not for your cake, not for your drinks, but I have come to congratulate you.

References

^ C. A. Browne, The Story of Our National Ballads (New York: Thomas Y. Crowell, 1960), p. 174
^ Music of the Civil War Era 2004, by Steven Cornelius, Greenwood Publishing Group, ISBN 0313320810 ,page 26

External links

Sranan-English Dictionary

Category:Birthdays Category:Folk songs

[1] C. A. Browne, The Story of Our National Ballads (New York: Thomas Y. Crowell, 1960), p. 174

[2] Music of the Civil War Era 2004, by Steven Cornelius, Greenwood Publishing Group, ISBN 0313320810 ,page 26

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