The Little Mermaid / Sirène ya moke

When it grew dark, a number of colored lamps were lighted

Ntango molili ekómaki makasi, bazalaki kongɛngisa miinda mingi ya langilangi

the sailors and royal family danced merrily on the deck

bato ya masuwa mpe libota ya mokonzi bazalaki kobina na esengo na pont

The little mermaid could not help thinking of her birthday

Mwa sirène yango akokaki te koboya kokanisa mokolo ya mbotama na ye

the day that she rose out of the sea for the first time

mokolo oyo abimaki na mbu mpo na mbala ya liboso

similar joyful festivities were celebrated on that day

bafɛti ya esengo ya ndenge wana ezalaki kosalema na mokolo yango

she thought about the wonder and hope she felt that day

akanisaki na ntina ya kokamwa mpe elikia oyo ayokaki mokolo wana

with those pleasant memories, she too joined in the dance

na basuvenire wana ya esengo, ye mpe asanganaki na mabina

on her paining feet, she poised herself in the air

na makolo na ye oyo ezalaki kosala mpasi, amibongisaki na mopɛpɛ

the way a swallow poises itself when in pursued of prey

lolenge oyo nyamankɛkɛ oyo amɛlaka na nzoto emibongisaka ntango ezali kolanda nyama oyo elyaka

the sailors and the servants cheered her wonderingly

bato ya masuwa mpe basaleli basepelaki na ye na kokamwa

She had never danced so gracefully before

Abinaki naino na kitoko boye te liboso