Video by Serafim Makangila

Composed during the first lockdown Fatoumata enlisted revered female musicians Angelique Kidjo, Dianne Reeves, China Moses, Inna Modja, Somi, Mayra Andrade, Thandiswa Mazwai and Terri Lyne Carrington to collaborate on the track. ‘Ambè’ meaning ‘altogether’ in Bambara, underlines the importance of harmony and togetherness in difficult and challenging times, a theme Fatoumata often explores in her work. The unique collaboration between female artists of African origin or descent sends a message of cooperation and a world without borders. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 0:55 Fatoumata Diawara 2:22 SOMI 3:32 Mayra Andrade 4:41 Thandiswa Mazwai 5:26 Inna Modja 5:41 Dianne Reeves 6:49 Angelique Kidjo **** ‘AMBÈ LYRICS (ENGLISH VERSION) FATOUMATA DIAWARA (original in Bambara) Oh my child, oh my child Child of the country, by God my child The sun has risen, what shall we call it? A new day [or sun] is here, what shall we call it? When we call, it says it doesn’t matter if you have money This new day doesn’t care if you have gold When we call, it says it doesn’t matter if you have diamonds This new day doesn’t care if you are a woman If you are black or white If you are rich and wealthy It just does not care Ouh wa ah, ouh wa ah People, ouh wa ah, hey mama We are the same, we are all the same SOMI (original in Runyoro-Rutooro from West Uganda) Let it be, let it be Let me sing for the earth Let me sing for the earth While I sing for the sun too Let me sing for all that is love I, too, sing for all that is life Let it be, let it be I, too, sing for all that is life Let it be, let it be Why would I sing alone when we can sing together? Let’s love each other while we are among the living. Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be… We are the same, we are all the same INNA MODJA (original in Bambara) Whites and blacks, poor or rich We are all worthy we all the same A single finger cannot lift a stone on its own We dig a well today to quench our thirst another day We are all the same, we are all the same MAYRA ANDRADE (original in Creole) The day will come when the sun high in the sky Will rise over a new world A world where love is law, Love is law, Love is law Children will hear stories of a time of many struggles and hope, of the blood that was spilled, So that we could leave them a new world, new world No matter where you come from It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman No matter the colour of your skin Or the name of God in your prayer THANDISWA (original in Zulu from South Africa) In the teachings of the elders We are told that each human being lives through the kindness of others I am because of you Say the elders We agree and celebrate indeed. The elders would say that every hand washed the other We agree and celebrate indeed. Because one needs the other One needs the other Hoyi hoyi We agree and celebrate this indeed. DIANNE REEVES (original in English) Humanity is a blessing from the almighty Created in all colours and ethnicity The beauty that connect us is we are all one The moon, the stars, the earth and the mighty sun I sing for my sisters And I sing for my brothers I sing for the world that we all love one another The beauty that connect us is we are all one The moon, the stars, the earth and the mighty sun I sing for the world I sing ANGELIQUE KIDJO (original in Fon from Benin) Children of this World With courage Let’s get up Let’s prepare Let’s get up For a future For our offspring Every day For this future We are getting up Courage we need To tell our story We have the strength To get up for tomorrow Let’s forget anger and hate Let’s form an alliance Who will speak with one voice For a better future We are the same, we are all the same *** Follow Fatoumata Diawara :