In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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
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
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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.)
Funny: As I was scrolling down and came across thinger's post, I wanted to reply exactly the same as you have. Thanks!
@DexX So many men, have so little empathy. You may never understand. Try to imagine being overpowered, and raped by another man. That is what many women will experience in their lifetime. Pray to god that never happens to you, or your loved ones.
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
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.
Women's rights come to Muslim Africa (ending the tradition of female circumcision) and the world in general.
YEAH!
"We are shaking the tree" -- shaking people out of their complacency about traditional gender roles. PG is the greatest!
Does anyone know the meaning of the opening words that sound like "boka la hey, boka la hai?" Is it also Somali, or just Peter's invented language? ;)
A very empowering song. Inspirational, and hopeful. Gabriel may be one of the most talented song writers ever.
@Major Valor ditto dude ditto, you got that spot on.
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?
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.
Only one coment????????
veery disapointed... :(
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? :)
@carrotkins There is an enormous difference between consensual sex and sexual assault.
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? :)