Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon
We are shakin' the tree
Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon
We are shakin' the tree

Waiting your time, dreaming of a better life
Waiting your time, you're more than just a wife
You don't have to do what your mother has done
She has done, this is your life, this new life has begun

It's your day, a woman's day
It's your day, a woman's day

Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon
We are shakin' the tree
Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon
We are shakin' the tree

Turning the tide, you are on the incoming wave
Turning the tide, you know you are nobody's slave
Find your sisters or brothers who can hear all the truth in what you say
They can support you when you're on your way

It's your day, a woman's day
It's your day, a woman's day

Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon
We are shakin' the tree
Souma Yergon, Sou Nou Yergon
We are shakin' the tree

Changing your ways, changing those surrounding you
Changing your ways, more than any man can do
Open your heart, show him the anger and pain, so you heal
Maybe he's looking for his womanly side, let him feel

You had to be so strong
And you do nothing wrong, nothing wrong at all
We're gonna break it down
We're gonna shake it down, shake it all around

No no no no no no
No no no no no no
No no no no no no

It's your day, a woman's day
It's your day, a woman's day
It's your day, a woman's day
It's your day, a woman's day

It's your day, a woman's day
It's your day, a woman's day
It's your day, a woman's day
It's your day, a woman's day

It's your day, a woman's day
It's your day, a woman's day
It's your day, a woman's day
It's your day, a woman's day

You had to be so strong
You do nothing wrong, nothing wrong at all
We're gonna break it down
We're gonna shake it down, shake it all around


Lyrics submitted by Novartza

Shaking the Tree Lyrics as written by Youssou N'dour Peter Gabriel

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Shaking The Tree song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

11 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +6
    My Opinion
    Thinger, that's just hilarious. "Stop supporting the rights of women or I won't buy your albums!" I don't think Pete would mind if one misogynist stopped listening to his music. In fact, he'd probably be pleased. (Though no doubt he'd prefer that you change your mind and see that men and women are both worthy of self-expression and freedom.)
    DexXon March 09, 2010   Link
  • +5
    General Comment
    It's about womyn rights, obviusly .. but u all have to remember that this song was written by Peter Gabriel and Youssou N'dour. i disagree with the comment that said that this song talks about the christian church. i guees it refers another culture that discriminate women as a life style. sorry my mistakes, i speak spanish
    Misha4allon January 18, 2009   Link
  • +3
    General Comment
    This is an unusually literal song from PG, all about women's empowerment, and talking about women claiming their rights in a positive way, talking to the men in their lives and trying to grow together, rather than fighting them. This and Today I Am A Daisy by Deborah Conway are, I think, the two most positive songs about modern feminism.
    DexXon January 09, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    Women's rights come to Muslim Africa (ending the tradition of female circumcision) and the world in general. YEAH!
    PaliSteveon September 18, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    A very empowering song. Inspirational, and hopeful. Gabriel may be one of the most talented song writers ever.
    Major Valoron September 01, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    One very important thing, which was a major part of Youssou N'Dour's contribution to this song, is the term, "Souma yergon, sou nou yergon", which means in (I think) Somali, "If we had known, if we had only known!" Since these words begin the song, and are repeated throughout, it's surprising to me that the lyrics shown above exclude them. Why is that, exactly?
    vizenoson November 20, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    Peter Gabriel is very well informed, thoughtful,empathetic and has a deep spiritual embrace of humanity. He created the band Genesis. There are references to archangel Gabriel in the Old Testament. Archangel Peter Gabriel is one of the few, if any archangels that is also referenced in the New Testament.
    travis1055on September 26, 2018   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Only one coment???????? veery disapointed... :(
    RWaterson August 18, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    the idea about woman rights sounds so good to me. though has anybody noticed that in peter's steam video (which is all about making love and the fruits of that love obviously) they actually catch babies falling from a tree they shake with a woman, somewhere at the end? :)
    carrotkinson April 28, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    the idea about woman rights sounds so good to me. though has anybody noticed that in peter's steam video (which is all about making love and the fruits of that love obviously) they actually catch babies falling from a tree they shake with a woman, somewhere at the end? :)
    carrotkinson April 28, 2007   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
X French T-Shirt
Shudder to Think
This song is timeless, and nearly 20 years after its creation, still possesses the mystique it did the first time i heard it ~1994. To me, at first blush, all those years ago, it had some kind of homo-erotic allure. The line "so that the others may do" tells of something which must be done for others to follow suit. It felt like like some kind of roxy-glam-pop invitation to sexual liberation. Upon further introspection I think the song may not have an intrinsic meaning, but simply represents a sort of "holding open the door" for people who otherwise might be affronted by this song/band's unusual style. I know, as a sort of armchair rock-historian, that there have been few bands so daring and so true to the sound that wanted to emerge from within, whether the creator wanted it or not. This band handled it with elegance and grace seldom, if ever, seen.
Album art
Loved by You
Justin Bieber
The fourteenth track, "Loved By You" of the singer's latest studio album titled "Justice", was produced by Josh Gudwin, Skrillex, Jason Evigan & LeriQ. It was released on March 19, 2021.
Album art
MAZZA
slowthai & A$AP Rocky
This track is the first official collaboration between the rappers. It was produced by SAMO, slowthai himself & Kwes Darko. The track was released on January 5, 2021, in anticipation of his latest studio album titled "TYRON".
Album art
Better Than Feeling Lonely
Olivia O'Brien
This standalone single is the latest in the artiste's album run out. It was produced by Rogét Chahayed, Taylor Dexter & Wesley Singerman, and released via major streaming platforms on January 1, 2021.
Album art
Breathe
80vii
This standout song was released to close out the year and was produced in its entirety by 80vii. The track was released via major streaming platforms on December 27, 2020.