Le Lion rouge

"Le Lion rouge" (Wolof: Gayndeg sibi xiiru na; English: "The Red Lion"), more commonly known by its incipit "Pincez tous vos koras, frappez les balafons" (Wolof: Yëngalleen kooraa yi, te jiin ndënd yi; English: "Everyone strum your koras, strike the balafons") is the national anthem of Senegal.

The lyrics were written by Léopold Sédar Senghor, Senegal's first president, while the music is composed by Frenchman Herbert Pepper,[1] who also composed the national anthem of the Central African Republic, "La Renaissance".

The kora (a type of harp) and balafon (wooden xylophone) are traditional Senegalese musical instruments.

Le dompteur de la brousse D'un bond s'est élancé, Dissipant les ténèbres.

Sénégal, nous faisons nôtre ton grand dessein : Rassembler les poussins à l'abri des milans Pour en faire, de l'est à l'ouest, du nord au sud, Dressé, un même peuple, un peuple sans couture Mais un peuple tourné vers tous les vents du monde.

Senegal, you the son of the lion's froth, Sprung from the night to the gallop of horses, Give us, oh!

give us the honour of our ancestors, Splendid as ebony and strong as muscle, We say it clearly – the sword has no flaw.

But if the enemy burns our borders We will be risen with weapons in our hands: One people defying all sorrows with its faith, Young and old, men and women.

Gayndeg sibi xiiru na Ki doon rëbb ci àll bi Dafa tëb ci kanam, Tëb daal di dal, Dindi lépp lu lëndëmoon.

Noo ngi wax jub xocc - jaasi ji amul lenn ngaañ.

Senegaal, def nanu sunu mbir sa yéene ju kawe: Dajale cuuj yi ngir làq leen jaxaay yi Ngir def leen, li ko dale penku jëm sowu, bëj-gànnaar jàpp bëj-saalum, Taxaw temm, doon wenn askan, askan wu dul teqalikoo, Waaye askan wu wëlbatiku jëm ci mbooleem ngelawi àddina si

Senegaal, niki yaw, niki mbooleem sunu jàmbaar yi, Dinanu dëgër këcc te du ànd ak mbañeel boole ko ak tijji sunu ñaari yoxo.

Jaasi ji, dinanu ko roof ci biir mbarum jàmm.